Giuliana Lising

SmokeScreen  is a satirical, 1990's retro-terminal mobile game that reframes youth vape cessation for 18–24 year olds in high-risk communities. Responding directly to research showing that preachy, clinical health campaigns alienate youth who rely on peer-circulated information, the project replaces traditional scare tactics with an empowering system-debugging experience. Players step into the role of a System Admin tasked with auditing corporate terminals corrupted by Vape_Myth malware — a metaphor for deceptive marketing and viral misinformation. To preserve patient autonomy and inclusivity, the experience embeds a diegetic peer guide, Kal, who delivers grounded, non-judgmental support during solitary, trigger-free moments. By combining arcade minigame mechanics with self-paced myth-busting, SmokeScreen transforms passive health education into an active, media-literacy tool that equips young adults to critically evaluate vape myths and confidently resist social pressure on their own terms.