The Use of Games in Military Training: A Scientometric Approach

Objective: This study aims to explore publications regarding the gamification employed by armed forces worldwide, identifying the countries that most leverage this resource, as well as the areas of application.

 

Theoretical Framework: Active methodologies are employed to stimulate critical thinking, favoring autonomy and decision-making. In this context, the use of games and simulators as military training strategies has been growing in recent decades, contributing to the comprehension of topics, favoring resource savings, and reducing risks.

 

Method: A bibliometric approach was adopted, leveraging the Web of Science database, which yielded a final sample of 71 articles. The VOSviewer tool was utilized for comprehensive analyses, including co-authorship, keyword co-occurrence, and temporal/geographical distribution.

 

Results and Discussion: The analysis revealed an exponential growth in publications over the last decade, with the USA leading the output, followed by China. The European continent emerged as a key player in international partnerships. Furthermore, the findings indicated a growing trend in the use of artificial intelligence (AI) for military decision-making and simulations.

 

Research Implications: This research contributes significantly to military management by fostering greater engagement and autonomy in training exercises. Environmentally, it promotes sustainability by minimizing the use of real-world resources and reducing emissions through virtual simulations.

 

Originality/Value: This work highlights the application of modern methodologies and instructional support tools, underscoring the current application trends by armed forces globally. The analysis reinforces the adoption of new technologies in the military, thereby contributing to the optimization of processes and substantial resource savings.