Fostering sustainability with digital twins and gamification: a systematic review

Abstract This systematic review investigates how digital twin technologies are combined with gamification to support sustainability across different domains. Using the PRISMA 2020 framework, we retrieved 122 records from three databases. After screening, 23 papers satisfying the inclusion criteria were analyzed in depth. Each one was examined along nine dimensions: application domain, motivation, case study, use of real-time data synchronization, digital twin type, gamification elements, visualization and interaction modalities, user involvement, and alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The results reveal a research landscape that is still emerging, characterized by heterogeneous methodologies, limited maturity of digital twin implementations, and a predominant use of basic gamification strategies. The findings of this review informed a set of design implications and the formulation of a conceptual framework to guide the design of gamified digital twins that foster sustainability in its various forms.