Presents posttest-only preliminary findings from an experiment comparing three versions of a health game with high versus low amounts of dramatic narrative. It contrasts high narrative versions of the game with a low narrative version that puts more focus on game-play challenges instead of story line.

1. Effects of Narrative, Nurturing, and Game-Play in an Action-Adventure Health Game Presentation to the Games for Health Conference Baltimore, MD Debra Lieberman, Ph.D. UC Santa Barbara May 9, 2008

12. Cancer knowledge (Study 1, posttest scores)

13. Predicting prevention behaviors (Study 1, posttest scores)

14. Predicting adherence (Study 1, posttest scores)

18. Knowledge and perceived informativeness – lower in Low/Low (game-play) group (Study 2, posttest scores)

19. Attitudes about cancer learning – No differences (Study 2, posttest scores)

20. Caring about patients in the game (Study 2, posttest scores)

21. Narrative  personal risks and behaviors (Study 2, posttest scores)

22. Game-play  mechanics of cure (Study 2, posttest scores)