CREATED WITH THE MIDDLEBURY INSTITUTE CENTER ON TERRORISM, EXTREMISM, AND COUNTERTERRORISM
SERVICES: GAME DESIGN, UX RESEARCH
COLLABORATORS: AFFORDANCE STUDIO, TOIYA FINLEY (SCHNOODLE MEDIA, LLC), THE URBAN ASSEMBLY
FUNDERS: DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (DHS)
In 2024, iThrive Games partnered with the Center on Terrorism, Extremism, and Counterterrorism (CTEC) to co-develop a single-player game—ultimately titled Last Hero's Legacy—in collaboration with teens. Designed to help youth recognize and resist online radicalization, the exploratory effort applied cutting-edge research and youth-centered design to a pressing and under-addressed challenge.
Teens were involved throughout the project-from early interviews to narrative shaping—informing the game's tone, visual identity, dialogue, and emotional depth based on their wisdom, lens, and lived experiences. Their contributions were central to building a relatable, insight-driven experience rooted in real concerns about identity, stress and belonging in digital spaces.
This project is partially funded by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Center for Prevention Programs and Partnerships, opportunity number DHS-22-TTP-132-00-01.
Memes were one of the artifacts created to explore and share youth perspectives on digital identity, influence, and belonging.
Extremist and terrorist groups are increasingly targeting adolescents online, yet few tools exist that meet youth where they are. Last Hero's Legacy brought together youth voice, trauma-informed design, and applied behavioral science to prototype a prevention-focused learning experience. While the game is not publicly available, the project surfaced important design insights on narrative framing, emotional scaffolding, and the developmental nuances of addressing digital radicalization through play.
True to our co-design model, this project affirmed the power of collaboration in building content that resonates with teens and sheds light on key considerations when creating serious games in sensitive content areas. From narrative authenticity to pacing and emotional attunement, the insights gained from co-designing Last Hero's Legacy continue to inform our work at the intersection of digital wellbeing, youth resilience, and game-based learning.
Reinterpretation of game art also supported the collaborative team's exploration of youth perspectives on digital identity, influence, and belonging.
