Applied Gaming or Serious Gaming is the application of games beyond entertainment purposes. Although it may actually be fun, its main objective is to educate, train or engage users in marketing activities by simulating real-world events or situations requiring problem solving or decision making.

Unlike Gamification, which borrows specific Game Design mechanics and elements such as points, levels and rewards in order to increase motivation and learning retention for educational or business applications, Serious Games are real games. They include educational games, also known as edutainment, technical simulations for testing new or dangerous procedures in a safe environment, business simulations for role-playing on processes or soft skills, advergames and politically or socially engaged games.