Slash HIV! — Interactive HIV Prevention Learning Game

Slash HIV! is an interactive educational game designed to make HIV prevention information easier to understand through play. Developed in Unreal Engine 5, the experience was created for tablet-based engagement at exhibitions and community events. Players progress through simple interactive challenges while learning to recognise HIV prevention options, including condoms and PrEP, turning conventional health information into a more approachable digital experience.

The Challenge
HIV prevention information can often be presented through text-heavy educational materials, which may be difficult to engage with in busy exhibition or outreach environments. The goal was to create an experience that could communicate key prevention messages quickly while remaining simple, visual and easy to play without prior instructions.

The Experience
Instead of asking users to read through lengthy educational content, Slash HIV! introduces prevention concepts through interaction. Players identify appropriate HIV prevention methods during gameplay, creating a short experience that combines education, decision-making and entertainment. The interface was intentionally designed to be straightforward so that visitors at an exhibition booth could begin playing with minimal guidance.

Approach

• Learn through interaction: Health information is introduced as part of the activity rather than presented as a separate lecture.
• Designed for short engagement: The experience works within the limited attention time typical of exhibitions and community events.
• Accessible interaction: Large controls, visual cues and simple mechanics make the game suitable for tablet-based public engagement.
• Health communication through play: Prevention methods such as condoms and PrEP become part of the player’s decisions instead of appearing only as informational text.