School for Ninja
School for Ninja is a digital training app designed to prevent and recover from burnout through play and narrative. Developed for companies and educational organizations, it combines psychology, gamification, and storytelling into a unique applied game.
- CLIENTFlavour
- YEAR 2019
- CATEGORY Product management & Game Design
- LIVE PROJECT Pilot Completed (2020)
Role
- Narrative design and gamified UX.
- Translation of psychological models (Theory U, Job Demands–Resources) into game mechanics.
- Creation of corporate pitch materials and pilot implementation support.
Process
- Research → workplace stress and resilience models.
- Design → five structured phases (Free Play, Physical Play, Role Play, Competence Play, Chance Play).
- Gamification → missions, sensei characters, personal diary, and the Ninja community.
- Validation → pilot testing with organizations and small user groups.
Results
- Measurable reduction in stress and burnout symptoms (–13% risk).
- Increased resilience, motivation, and playfulness (+14%).
- Scalable tool for companies: app-based training combined with live coaching sessions.
Pilot Program
Over several months, participants use imagination to explore the “rules” of daily life.
By doing so, they transform themselves, their organizations, and ultimately society.
It is a bottom-up, disruptive movement, building a sustainable, creative, and meaningful culture.
The applied-game app gives participants agency: they select missions, complete them in daily life, and reflect on their experiences in a digital diary. This is supported by webinars and optional coaching.
Training content is grounded in:
- Psychology & play research
- Theory U change methodology
- Designed by game designers, lifestyle coaches, therapists & burnout experts
Organizational impact (Ninja Insights):
- More engaged and joyful employees
- Lower stress-related absenteeism
- Higher productivity
- Stronger alignment with modern cultural shifts
Focus areas:
- Digitalization
- Virtual Reality
- Self-care
Region: North Holland
Visuals
Screenshots from the pilot version of the School for Ninja app:
- Left: Narrative onboarding (the Ninja call).
- Center: Reflective question mission with a Sensei.
- Right: Progression screen with missions as lotus steps.