Why I’m helping to "Banish the Hidden" in Women’s Health using a game
Last year, I sat down with the team at Nơ Xanh Việt Nam, and their vision stopped me in my tracks. They wanted to build a game to fund women’s health initiatives across Vietnam, and while I was initially surprised by the idea of using a game for fundraising, I immediately saw the potential to build awareness through something truly unique. The heart was there, but the gameplay needed a "spark" to honor the weight of their mission. Their initial concept was a simple "Old Maid" style game, and as a designer, I saw an opportunity to transform that simple idea into a mechanic that mirrors the actual reality of health struggles.
This isn't just a professional project for me—it’s personal. I grew up in a house raised by a single mother and four aunts, and today, I’m raising two daughters here in Vietnam. For me, these aren’t "women’s issues"; they are family issues. Every man has a significant woman in his life, whether a mother, a wife, a sister, or a daughter. I wanted to use my experience to create a medium that helps normalize topics too often tucked away in silence.
To bring that "human soul" back to the project, we started by scrapping the AI art in favor of hand-drawn illustrations that improved the overall look and feel. But the most significant change was in the mechanics. We developed a "Hidden Struggle" system using a memory-grid to represent conditions like Endometriosis and PCOS. Just like in real life, you only see "hints" of the problem at first because the cards are facedown. Even with unique card backs that offer clues, you still have to pay close attention to see the full picture. We even flipped the competitive mode on its head—you don’t win by defeating others, but by being the ultimate ally. You win by identifying and helping your friends manage and cure their hidden health issues before your own are revealed.
Whether you're playing co-operatively or competing, the goal is simple: making it easier to talk about "uncomfortable" topics through play. I believe in this mission so deeply that Rolling Wizards Studio is fully funding the first print run. By covering all production costs, we’re ensuring that 100% of the proceeds go directly to Nơ Xanh Việt Nam’s initiatives, providing health products and support to women across the country. We recently joined Nơ Xanh at their 6th-anniversary gala to officially launch the game, and seeing the response was a true career highlight. Play can be a powerful vessel for education, and if we can make even one person feel less alone through a deck of cards, then we’ve done our job. Check out some photos from the launch event below! 📸👇
