Table 1.

Brief overview of the goal and open conversation skills for each chapter.

Chapter	Goal
Introduction	The participant is introduced to the objective of the game and asked to select an avatar and an event they would like to plan. An overview of The Good Talk! skills is provided to participants along with the definition of what it means to have an open conversation.
Gain trust	The participant converses with someone who is worried about their kids not being vaccinated and whose kids are skeptical about the government’s use of COVID-19 antigen tests. The participant is encouraged to gain the trust of the conversation partner and, in turn, to encourage their partner to use open conversation skills to gain the trust of their children by expressing their concerns, finding mutual value, and supporting their kid’s autonomy.
Offer support	In this chapter, the conversation partner mistrusts the seriousness of the pandemic, is skeptical about the evidence, and does not see a personal need to get vaccinated. The participant is encouraged to ask for the perspective of their conversation partner rather than argue, with the goal to understand their views and to continue the conversation. By acknowledging their partner’s perspective and concerns, the participant is encouraged to find some common ground so that both feel comfortable attending the event.
Open up	The conversation partner is vaccinated but does not see a need to get the booster vaccination after reading some misinformation on the web and is reluctant to change their mind. The partner is overwhelmed by information and the impact of restrictions. By asking open questions, not being dismissive of their partner’s feelings or concerns, and accepting their points while being respectful of divergent views, the goal is to help the partner overcome their inertia.
Don’t be sad if it doesn’t work out	In the final chapter, the participant encounters a conversation partner who is against vaccination, who mistrusts the government, and who continues to share fake news and misinformation rather than engage in an open conversation. Rather than argue, the participant is guided to not react negatively and to accept that the conversation will be unlikely to lead to a positive outcome.