- Players can design their own Singular in the game, customizing their avatars’ unique superpowers, look, and gender identity
- This game marks the first time that SHAHRP strategies for reducing alcohol-related harm were utilized in a video game
The Singularities is an original educational title developed by Schell Games in collaboration with the University of Pittsburgh. Built using the Unity engine for Desktop, the game is designed for Middle and High School students. It breaks new ground by being the first video game to integrate SHAHRP (School Health and Alcohol Harm Reduction Research Project) strategies. Set in a stylized, near-future world, players create and customize their own "Singular"—an avatar with unique superpowers and a customizable gender identity. Through its branching narrative, the game teaches students how to navigate social pressures and make informed decisions regarding alcohol, moving away from "just say no" tactics toward practical harm-reduction behaviors.
- Schell Games
- University of Pittsburgh
- SHAHRP Strategies (Harm Reduction)
- Social-Emotional Learning (SEL)
- look
- social simulation
- Underage drinking prevention
- peer pressure
- decision-making
- harm reduction
- What makes the "SHAHRP" approach in this game unique?
- Unlike traditional education that focuses strictly on abstinence, the SHAHRP (School Health and Alcohol Harm Reduction Research Project) framework acknowledges that some teens may be exposed to alcohol and provides them with practical skills to reduce the risk of harm to themselves and others. This is the first time these evidence-based strategies have been adapted into an interactive video game format.
- How does character customization impact the gameplay?
- Players can design their own Singular, choosing their looks, superpowers, and gender identity. This high level of personalization is designed to increase "player agency" and empathy. By seeing themselves reflected in the character, students are more likely to take the social consequences of their in-game choices seriously.
- What kind of social situations does the game simulate?
- The game focuses on high-stakes social interactions typical for teenagers. Players navigate parties and hangouts where they must choose how to respond to peer pressure, how to help a friend who has had too much to drink, and how to stay safe in unpredictable environments.
- Why was the "Superpower" theme chosen for a health game?
- The superhero metaphor serves as a hook for the target age group, but it also functions as a gameplay mechanic. Superpowers can represent various social or internal strengths, making the abstract concept of "resistance skills" feel tangible and exciting within the game world.
- Is the game used in actual research?
- Yes. Like many Schell Games collaborations with the University of Pittsburgh (such as Night Shift), The Singularities was developed as part of a research initiative to study how interactive media can influence health behaviors and knowledge retention in adolescents more effectively than traditional classroom lectures.
