CREATED WITH AND FOR THE SEED INSITUTE
SERVICES: GAME DESIGN, UX RESEARCH
FUNDERS:Â WILLIAM T. GRANT FOUNDATION, MASSACHUSETTS COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT AND REINVESTMENT GRANT
COLLABORATORS:Â AFFORDANCE STUDIO, BMA TENPOINT ALLIANCE, TRANSITION HOPE, CUDZU CREATIVE
Selling Dreams is a single-player simulation game designed by youth experts at the SEED Institute with game design mentorship from iThrive Games and the community wisdom of BMA TenPoint Alliance and Transition HOPE staff. Hosted on the iThrive Sim platform, the game invites players to take on the role of 'Guardian', a caseworker tasked with meeting the needs of the young people they encounter and helping them through their unique challenges. While playing the Guardian, players must stay on top of the files, messages, and relevant news they receive about the youth they serve. Players must make decisions throughout the game using the insight they gather about engaging with those in their care. The decisions in Selling Dreams are all final, have different consequences, and can impact the Guardian's 'Respect Meter,' which gauges the level of trust and rapport the young people have toward the player.
- "This game shows you what kids are facing—false promises that are being made by the system." — Bernado, SEED Designer
- "The system is set up against our community, and it shouldn't be this way. This game is a wake-up call." — Kaleya, SEED Designer
- 2022 International Serious Play Award, Silver, Non-Profit
