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Published on: December 16, 2010
Player Types and Gamification in Adolescent Tobacco Prevention: Insights from Game-Based Interventions
Bairu Zhao1, Georges E Khalil1
1Department of Health Outcomes and Biomedical Informatics, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA.
Games for Health Journal
|May 23, 2026
Summary
Tailoring gamified tobacco prevention programs to player types, like "players" and "disruptors," can reduce adolescent vaping intention. Understanding player types enhances program effectiveness for youth.
Area of Science:
- Adolescent Health
- Behavioral Science
- Game Design
Background:
- Game-based interventions show promise in reducing adolescent intention to vape.
- This study examined how different gamification player types influence the effectiveness of two distinct prevention programs: ASPIRE (computer-based) and Storm-Heroes (social game).
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of HEXAD player types on the effectiveness of gamified tobacco prevention programs.
- To analyze the relationship between player types, intention to vape, and the influence of distraction during gameplay.
Main Methods:
- A randomized trial with 175 adolescents (aged 11-18) assessed player types, distraction, and vaping intention pre- and post-intervention.
- Utilized the HEXAD typology to categorize participants into six player types: Philanthropists, Socializers, Free Spirits, Achievers, Players, and Disruptors.
Main Results:
- Storm-Heroes participants exhibited higher scores in player, disruptor, achiever, and free spirit types compared to ASPIRE participants.
- A tendency towards being 'socializers' correlated with higher vaping intention, while 'players' predicted lower intention.
- Disruptors in Storm-Heroes significantly reduced vaping intention over time; distraction effects varied by player type and program.
Conclusions:
- Intervention effectiveness can be enhanced by tailoring gamified approaches to specific player types.
- Gamified interventions hold potential for reducing adolescent vaping intentions.
- Future research should focus on diverse populations and broader gamification impacts on tobacco prevention.
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