Project: The Gate
Warm Welcome
in Safe Shelters
A 3D applied game that gives youth in (safe) shelters a well-deserved warm welcome! In an underground secure bunker filled with fluffy animals and friendly insects, they embark on a quest for answers.
Nominated for the
Dutch Game Awards
Renée
Sterk Huis
PlayGood skillfully transformed our youth's needs into a 3D exploration game, balancing serious issues like domestic violence with playful elements. They successfully translated the initial hopelessness of youth in shelters into a vibrant game world filled with positive experiences. Our collaboration was both creative and pleasant!
Personalized Gaming Experience
In the user-friendly staff section, employees create personalized player accounts. This allows the game to be tailored to each child's situation, considering factors like family structure, contact with the outside world, or smartphone usage. This way, every player receives the most relevant experience possible.
3 Quest Types
During the game, participants go through 8 gameplay moments over approximately 1.5 hours. They complete 3 types of tasks:
Social Quests:
Players engage in social interactions with various fun characters, such as staff members, family members, and peers.
Informative Quests:
They explore at their own pace what to expect and what is required of them in a (safe) shelter.
Fun Quests:
After all, it’s a game, so there are plenty of enjoyable activities, like playing pranks or discovering secrets.
Co-Creation & Testing
The Gate was carefully designed in collaboration with youth and staff from Sterk Huis and other organizations.
The project began with a series of workshops involving youth and staff from Sterk Huis. Youth participation was a crucial aspect of the process. These workshops were not only fun for the participants, but they also provided invaluable insights into the complex world of youth support and safe shelter, forming the foundation for the design of The Gate.
Implementation
After a launch party in a real 'Game Camper' at Sterk Huis, we kicked off phase 2: the rollout of The Gate to other youth care organizations in the Netherlands. We want as many young people as possible to benefit from this amazing game!
Thanks to sponsorship from Kinderpostzegels, a well-known non-profit organization in the Netherlands, other organizations can participate in The Gate. Each organization receives a customized version of the game and a comprehensive communication package for promotion.
The Gate is currently being implemented at Sterk Huis, Kadera, Rosa Manus, Fier, and Blijfgroep.
