The Guardians
An MIT app that makes self-care as addictive as a video game
The Guardians Project aims to use the same game design principles used in mobile games to help people form beneficial long-term habits and improve their overall wellbeing. Forming positive health habits can be difficult. Whether it’s getting enough sleep, sticking to a diet, or going for a run, it’s tough to commit to a new schedule long enough to make it stick. This process is even harder when the habit focuses on long-term goals with no immediate noticeable benefits. Mobile video games, on the other hand, use common design techniques and mechanics to produce a loop that draws players to return on a regular schedule and encourages them to watch ads or pay a fee for special rewards within the game.