PlaySmart

PlaySmart is a health-focused narrative game developed by Schell Games for Yale University's play2PREVENT Lab. Built on the Unity engine for Mobile and Desktop platforms, the game is designed specifically for Middle and High School students. The project functions as a behavioral intervention tool aimed at preventing HIV and other health risks among adolescents. Players navigate a branching story where their choices in social situations directly impact their character's health journey. By simulating peer pressure and sensitive health conversations, PlaySmart helps students develop "refusal skills" and provides a safe space to practice making high-stakes decisions before they encounter them in real life.

• Schell Games
• Yale University's play2PREVENT Lab
• HIV prevention
• risk reduction
• behavioral health intervention
• Branching narrative
• social simulation
• decision-making
• role-playing
• "Games for Good
• " Evidence-based intervention

How does PlaySmart differ from PlayTEST!?

While both were developed with Yale's play2PREVENT Lab, they target different stages of the health journey. While PlayTEST! focuses specifically on the logistics and social aspects of HIV testing, PlaySmart is a broader prevention tool. It focuses on the social dynamics, peer interactions, and lifestyle choices that occur before a test is even necessary, focusing heavily on risk-reduction strategies.

What is the "Social Simulation" aspect?

The game puts players in common adolescent social settings—like parties, school hallways, or hangouts. The "gameplay" consists of dialogue choices. Players must read the social cues of non-player characters (NPCs) and choose responses that maintain their social standing while sticking to their personal health goals.

Why use a game for HIV prevention?

Why use a game for HIV prevention?

How does the game handle "Refusal Skills"?

One of the hardest things for a teenager to do is say "no" to a peer. PlaySmart provides specific dialogue options that model assertive communication. By selecting these options in the game, students are essentially "rehearsing" for real-life pressure, which researchers call "building self-efficacy."

Is there scientific backing for this game?

Yes. The play2PREVENT Lab at Yale is a leader in evidence-based game design. PlaySmart was developed as part of a rigorous research study to determine if interactive media can actually change health behaviors and reduce risk-taking in adolescents more effectively than traditional classroom lectures.