Take Back Control

Take Back Control is a Washington State–based youth awareness campaign that exposes how loot boxes and microtransactions hijack the brain, without ever feeling preachy. In Washington, middle and high school boys are 2–4 times more likely to report gambling behaviors, and early exposure significantly increases the risk of problem gambling later in life. We introduce Brian, a cartoon version of your brain, who breaks down how dopamine, chance‑based rewards, and game design tricks keep players spending. It feels like a fun animated episode, but delivers a real realization: if a game takes your money and decides what you get, that’s gambling. By making teens feel smart, informed, and in control, the campaign turns awareness into empowerment, so they can keep gaming, without getting played. Developed by Quinn Thomas in partnership with the Washington State Health Care Authority, Take Back Control helps young people recognize the system, and choose when to step back. The campaign is actively running across social media, targeted display ads, and influencer content, and is supported by a dedicated website: https://dont-get-played.com