Re-Mission2 is a video game for teens and young adults with cancer, the game puts players inside the human body to fight cancer with various weapons and super-powers based on real world medications, like chemotherapy, antibiotics and the body’s natural defenses, to be used to successfully destroy cancer and win the game.
A PC based third-person shooter developed by HopeLab, Re-Mission2 was designed to engage young cancer patients through entertaining game play while impacting specific psychological and behavioral outcomes associated with successful cancer treatment, and it has been working.
Recent studies have shown that playing the game significantly improved treatment adherence and indicators of cancer-related self-efficacy and knowledge in adolescents and young adults who were undergoing cancer therapy. The study also concluded that:
“The findings support current efforts to develop effective video-game interventions for education and training in health care.”
All Re-Mission games so far have been designed in collaboration with medical professionals, game developers and, most importantly, young cancer patients. This is such a wonderful way that games can not only entertain young people but also help them get through hard times in their lives and fighting cancer though gameplay.
I highly suggest that you check out Re-Mission2 and look at how games can be used not only to entertain you but also be a force for good as well.
What do you think of Re-Mission2? Do you think more games should be made like this? Discuss this further in our forums or leave a comment below!