Re-Mission
Serious games improving cancer treatment adherence in youth.
Re-Mission is a series of serious video games designed to support young cancer patients by improving treatment adherence and psychological outcomes. The original game, released in 2006, was conceived by Pam Omidyar and developed by the nonprofit HopeLab Foundation with input from young cancer patients, oncology professionals, and game developer Realtime Associates. The games engage players through entertaining gameplay while targeting behaviors and attitudes linked to successful cancer treatment.
- field
- Serious games, healthcare
- known_for
- Video games that improve treatment adherence in young cancer patients
- developer
- HopeLab Foundation, Realtime Associates
- conceived_by
- Pam Omidyar
- first_release
- 2006
- platforms
- Microsoft Windows, web browsers, iOS, Android
Lore & Background
The original Re-Mission game, released in 2006, is a third-person shooter in which the player controls an RX5-E ("Roxxi") nanobot injected into the human body to fight cancers such as non-Hodgkin lymphoma and leukemia. The player must monitor patient health and report symptoms to Dr. West across 20 levels, each designed to educate about treatments and the importance of adherence. Weapons include the Chemoblaster, Radiation Gun, and antibiotic rocket. Copies were distributed at no charge, and by 2012 over 200,000 copies had been distributed in 81 countries. HopeLab partnered with Cigna HealthCare, Starlight Children's Foundation, and the ESA Foundation to distribute the game.
Reader's Guide
Re-Mission represents a landmark in serious games, demonstrating that a carefully designed video game can positively impact health behavior in young people with chronic illness. A randomized controlled trial involving 375 patients aged 13–29 at 34 medical centers in the United States, Canada, and Australia found that playing Re-Mission led to more consistent treatment adherence, faster increase in cancer knowledge, and faster increase in self-efficacy. The study used objective blood tests and electronic pill-cap monitors rather than self-reports. The success of Re-Mission led to Re-Mission 2 in 2013, a collection of free online games and a mobile app, informed by fMRI research showing the original game activated brain circuits involved in positive motivation. The series has been distributed globally at no charge, placing it among the most successful serious games to date.
Did You Know?
- The original Re-Mission game was released in 2006 as a Microsoft Windows-based third-person shooter.
- A randomized controlled trial of Re-Mission used objective blood tests to measure chemotherapy levels in participants.
- Re-Mission 2 was released in 2013 as a collection of free online games and a mobile app.
- More than 120 young people with cancer participated in the research and development of Re-Mission 2.
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