It’s just plain wrong that kids should have to contend with a battle against Cancer. But we all know that life can be mean sometimes and it happens all too often. So, God forbid, if your child should have to wage such a battle, it only makes sense to use tools that they find both natural and fun to help them cope with it. And if it’s true that play is work to a kid, then a video game that helps kids fight the cancer within them not only makes sense, it’s a life saver.
The Game is called “Re-Mission” and it’s inspired by another popular gaming character Lara Croft. The difference is that instead of being a buxom brunette searching for ancient artifacts and robbing tombs, the main character in this game is a nanobot that searches and destroys cancer cells in the human body. According to game designers, players win by taking care of their health, and that means swallowing their meds and doing other things to keep their body healthy while battling the cancer.
And according to recent studies, teens that play the game are more likely to understand their plight and that they’re not as invincible as an average teen thinks they are. Game play will actually impress upon them the need to follow their treatment and take responsibility to take their meds in the real world. And the studies also show that they will take their prescription medicine to help battle the real cancer inside of them. 62% of medication was taken by ReMission players, while patients playing alternate games took their meds only 53% of the time. That’s good news.
Another benefit is the social aspect of the game. As kids who struggle with explaining to friends and family what they’re going through can easily take them into the game and help them to understand it better.
Check out the video of the game at USA Today (hat tip).