Play · Growth · Human Flourishing. Powered by AI
Moses Silbiger, MA
Researcher - AI · Interactive Entertainment · Developmental Psychology
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Press Play to Grow!
A research initiative proposing a new way to grow - complementary to coaching, mentoring, education, and therapy -
reaching people that traditional growth methods often cannot reach, and extending practice between sessions.Play-driven experiences, powered by AI & developmental psychology frameworks, that
catalyze human development invisibly and at scale -
through the synergistic convergence of AI, Interactive Entertainment & Developmental Psychology
A Synergistic Convergence
The 3 Composing Elements of Press Play to Grow!
Research Overview
Explore the Research
A human-centered research framework examining how play and game-based
interaction support integrated development, learning and meaning-making
in multiple intelligences and dimensions of life
Research Overview
Explore the Research
A published, human-centered research framework proposing that intentionally designed play & game-based interaction can catalyze human development - across cognitive, emotional, behavioral, and relational dimensions, complementing existing approaches to growth, learning, and meaning-making
Researcher Context
Research Lens:
Gameplay & Interactivity as 'Trojan Horses' for Growth
Moses Silbiger. Architect. MA in Integral Psychology with graduate certification in Coaching. 3D Designer and XR Creative Director.
A multi-disciplinary researcher, creative, and systems thinker, with published academic work at the intersection of Developmental Psychology and Interactive Entertainment.
Now applying AI to bring this research framework to life
Researcher Context & Background
The Researcher Behind the Framework
Moses Silbiger. Architect. MA in Integral Psychology with graduate certification in Coaching. 3D Designer and XR Creative Director.
A multi-disciplinary researcher, creative, and systems thinker, with published academic work at the intersection of Developmental Psychology and Interactive Entertainment.
Now applying AI to bring this research framework to life
THE SCIENCE BEHIND THE VISION
The Research
Original & Current
A rigorous mixed-methods study from 2008 combining quantitative & qualitative research, published by SUNY Press in 2010, asked whether interactive entertainment could be designed to catalyze human development.
15 years later, AI, Interactive Entertainment, and Developmental Psychology have each transformed - and the convergence the research once envisioned is now within reach.
Explore the original study and where each field stands today
THE SCIENCE BEHIND THE VISION
Research Trajectory
Original & Current
A rigorous mixed-methods study from 2008 combining quantitative & qualitative research, published by SUNY Press in 2010, asked whether interactive entertainment could be designed to catalyze human development.
15 years later, AI, Interactive Entertainment, and Developmental Psychology have each transformed - and the convergence the research once envisioned is now within reach.
Explore the original study and where each field stands today
Early applications & experiments
From Research
to Application
Following publication & conference recognition, Press Play to Grow! entered an applied phase - translating the framework into game concepts and proposals.
Activity continued intermittently over the following years - including a 2011 televised, awarded media contribution and a 2024 dual-use (civil + military) conceptual simulation proposal - laying the foundation for what AI now makes fully viable
Early applicatons & experiments
From Research
to Application
Following publication & conference recognition, Press Play to Grow! entered an applied phase - translating the framework into game concepts and proposals. Activity continued intermittently over the following years - including a 2011 televised, awarded media contribution and a 2024 dual-use (civil + military) conceptual simulation proposal - laying the foundation for what AI now makes fully viable
Re-Emergence
From Foundation
to Future
Advances in AI, multi-modal interfaces, spatial computing, and immersive technology reopen the space for this human-centered framework to move from conceptual to operational.
The synergistic convergence of AI, Interactive Entertainment, and Developmental Psychology - delivered through rich, human-in-the-loop, multi-modal experience - is no longer ahead of its time, it is now buildable
the time is now
From Foundation
to Future
Advances in AI, multi-modal interfaces, spatial computing, and immersive technology reopen the space for this human-centered framework to move from conceptual to operational. The synergistic convergence of AI, Interactive Entertainment, and Developmental Psychology - delivered through rich, human-in-the-loop, multi-modal experience - is no longer ahead of its time, it is now buildable
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Help shape the future of AI, Interactive Entertainment & Developmental Psychology
The Three Pillars of Press Play to Grow!
Three Converging FIelds - Three Building Blocks
Research Trajectory
Now & Then
AI - Artificial Intelligence
IE - Interactive Entertainment
DP - Developmental Psychology
Original Research
Research Evidence
Field Presence
Field presence spans press coverage of the Game Developers Conference GDC (2008-2009), SIGGRAPH (2008), and SXSW (2011) as correspondent for
Digital Designer Magazine from UOL - at the time one of Brazil's largest digital media platforms - along with continued attendance at SXSW (2023-2024) and as a correspondent for MaxRender Magazine for SXSW 2026 and Human [X] (2026) as an independent AI researcher for Press Play to Grow!
Conferences
Correspondent for
Digital Designer Magazine-UOL
and MaxRender Magazine
Research formally presented at
Games+Learning+Society Conference
University of Wisconsin–Madison(2008)
Meaningful Games Conference
Michigan State University(2008)
Integral Theory Conference,
John F. Kennedy University
(2008, 2010)
*Honorable Mention both years
Published PEER-REVIEED ARTICLE
Journal of Integral Theory and Practice
academic publication
(JITP, SUNY Press, 2010)
Coming March 2027
An upcoming book documenting the full Press Play to Grow! research initiative.Not a summary of what's already here, but the deeper story behind it: the theoretical foundations, the developmental frameworks, and the ethical and
philosophical questions raised by the synergistic convergence of AI, Interactive Entertainment, and Developmental Psychology.Going deeper than the academic paper and this website, exploring dimensions, nuances, and applied vision not presented here or elsewhere.
Beyond the Research
Applications & Experiments
Following publication, the framework evolved through applied experiments.CODE S.U.S., a sustainability-focused game concept, presented at the Integral Theory Conference 2010 at JFKU (Honorable Mention) and shaped with renowned advisors from the Developmental Psychology &Integral Theory fields, alongside game design consultants & advisors from Carnegie Mellon, Georgia Tech & USC.
Bar Karma, a participatory, awarded media contribution to Current TV's nationally broadcast series.
METASIMZ, a dual-use simulation proposal to DoD integrating psychological resilience, PTSD, trauma, and adaptive training for military and civilian applications.
A Framework Reborn
Same Vision, Renamed for a New Era
In 2008-2010, the research produced a framework with a name years ahead of its time: INDENTRO.
But its structure only carried two of the three pillars that define Press Play to Grow! today, Developmental Psychology and Interactive Entertainment.AI wasn't yet part of the equation. It hadn't emerged as the third pillar, and the technology to fully realize the vision didn't yet exist.
Now it does.
The name has evolved to match.
There's a story behind both names worth reading.
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On the same wavelength?
If this research resonates with you - whether you work in AI, Interactive Entertainment,
or Developmental Psychology, or simply want to connect as a kindred spirit - let's talk.
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