Nae Danger video game launched across Scotland

This unique ‘choose your own adventure’ interactive video game is based on No Knives Better Lives (NKBL) Nae Danger Bystander guide.

The game follows a group of friends as they face different situations involving knife carrying. It invites young people to shape key moments where their decisions can take several different directions, some with grave outcomes.

Nae Danger is available for free to all local authorities in Scotland and can be downloaded from the NKBL website. It will be delivered primarily in secondary schools and youth clubs, supported by local facilitators. Over 23 local authorities have already signed up to the facilitator training.

To accompany the delivery of the game, facilitators will be provided with training to lead interactive discussions to draw out key themes from the game, asking young people to reflect on the big question: “What would you do if someone you knew was carrying a knife?”.

We would like to extend a special thank you to the young people and workers of the Youth Just Us group, the joint Staff and CYCJ (Children’s and Young People’s Centre for Justice) group, who helped us develop the game.

In making this unique game, we worked alongside young people, taking their ideas, opinions and experiences of knife crime and using their feedback to shape the game. They even voiced the main characters in the game. Their support and feedback was invaluable to shaping the game.

Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf MSP said:

“Young people are at the heart of what No Knives, Better Lives do and none more so than their ‘Nae Danger Game’ which has been co-designed by young people, using their opinions and experiences of knife crime. This is an exciting and innovative way to encourage young people to highlight and talk about the consequences of carrying a knife.

“Although levels of knife crime have fallen drastically over the last decade, we cannot be complacent. That is why I am delighted to see this game launched and I am sure it will play an important part in further reducing handling of offensive weapons, and specifically knife crime among young people.”

Gary McCartan, Chief Executive Officer at Pocket Sized Hands said

“For many of us, knife crime won’t be an issue that affects us directly. But for some, carrying a knife may be their only perception of how they can stay safe. In designing this game, we wanted to tackle some of the misconceptions around knife crime and give young people an opportunity to discuss knife crime prevention in a safe and non-judgemental environment. It’s has been a great pleasure working alongside the team at YouthLink Scotland as well as the young adults at Youth Just Us, getting to hear their stories and thoughts on what would make this a great game and get people talking about knife crime prevention.”