UN Spotlight Initiative Launches "Sync or Storm" on Roblox
The United Nations Spotlight Initiative announced the launch of Sync or Storm, an immersive adventure game hosted on the Roblox platform, as part of its #WithHer digital advocacy campaign. The game is designed for young people to raise awareness of the attitudes and behaviours that contribute to violence against women and girls, encourage positive intervention, and advance broader efforts to end such violence.
Nearly one in three women experience violence during their lifetime, underscoring the critical need for preventive measures. Recognising that digital spaces are increasingly central to youth interaction, the initiative aims to meet children where they already spend time, using interactive gameplay to promote respectful and cooperative behaviour.
Koye Adeboye, Head of Communications for the United Nations Spotlight Initiative, stated that gaming has become a vital arena for shaping young minds and that the campaign seeks to reach an estimated 43 million Roblox users under the age of 13 who play daily. He emphasized that engaging young people in these digital environments is essential for preventing violence before it starts.
The game was developed by Bad Ape in collaboration with Equimundo: Center for Masculinity & Social Justice and the Spotlight Initiative. It encourages players to reflect on how their actions affect others, reinforcing the message that respect and cooperation are expressions of strength.
Equimundo’s Man Box research across the United States, United Kingdom, and Mexico found that individuals with the most rigid views of manhood are up to five times more likely to bully or sexually harass others and are also more prone to report depression and suicidal thoughts (Hill et al., 2020). Additionally, the Global Early Adolescent Study surveyed 10‑14‑year‑olds worldwide and demonstrated that gender norms are already entrenched by early adolescence.
Caroline Hayes, Senior Technical Specialist, Digital Strategies at Equimundo, explained that boys absorb harmful ideas about manhood from the surrounding culture, including the games they play, and that Sync or Storm illustrates how respect and cooperation constitute true strength.
Sync or Storm is now publicly available on Roblox. The press release, dated 7 October 2026, was issued from New York by the United Nations Spotlight Initiative via PRNewswire, with a disclaimer noting that PTI assumes no editorial responsibility for the content.