The world’s leading condom brand has launched The Pull Out Game Game, a tongue-in-cheek digital experience that playfully exposes the flaws of the withdrawal method and reminds players why protection still matters.
When it comes to contraception, humor isn’t usually part of the conversation. Yet Durex’s latest campaign takes a bold approach by turning one of the most common misconceptions about birth control into an interactive game. The Pull Out Game Game, released globally on October 27, 2025, transforms the risky “pull-out” method into a retro-style arcade challenge designed to educate through laughter. A link to the game can be found at the bottom of this article.
The game invites players to navigate a chaotic digital landscape where sperm race toward an egg while distractions such as a judgmental grandmother or an unsuspecting dog appear at the worst possible moments. The goal is simple: try to “pull out” in time. The outcome is predictable, and almost no one wins.
The withdrawal method, often referred to as “pulling out,” remains surprisingly common. Research from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggests that around 22 out of 100 people relying solely on withdrawal as contraception experience an unintended pregnancy within a year. It is not hard to see why Durex found inspiration for a campaign that highlights just how unreliable this method can be.
In The Pull Out Game Game, the failure rate becomes part of the joke. Each failed attempt triggers a visual reminder of what happens when things do not go as planned. The game’s creators at BLKJ Havas, a Singapore-based creative agency known for blending humor with social commentary, describe it as “a game that hits where it hurts, your ego, not your future.”
By mixing retro graphics with relatable chaos, the game seeks to make a serious point accessible. The campaign’s humor is not about shaming or moralizing. Instead, it aims to spark reflection on how easily people can underestimate the risks of unprotected sex.
Durex has long used playful campaigns to normalize conversations about sexual health. The brand’s approach often combines lightheartedness with factual education, recognizing that humor can break down taboos where traditional messaging falls short.
“The idea is to engage people who might otherwise ignore a standard sex-ed message,” a Durex spokesperson explained in the campaign release. “If people laugh, play, and still come away thinking twice about protection, that’s a win.”
The strategy aligns with research on public health communication, which shows that humor can make sensitive topics more approachable. Studies from the Kinsey Institute and WHO-backed initiatives have noted that interactive or gamified learning tends to increase retention of sexual health information, particularly among younger audiences.
While The Pull Out Game Game may seem like a lighthearted distraction, it contributes to a broader trend of digital health education. Apps, podcasts, and social media campaigns are increasingly being used to share accurate information about contraception, consent, and pleasure. By integrating humor and interactivity, brands like Durex are adapting to how people consume information today.
The game itself channels the nostalgia of 1980s arcade classics, complete with pixel graphics and electronic sound effects. The mechanics are simple, yet intentionally frustrating. Players control a tiny sperm and must “pull out” before reaching the egg. Distractions appear randomly, and the pace quickens, making success nearly impossible.
Losing is part of the lesson. Each failure prompts humorous messages reminding players that, unlike in games, there are real-world consequences when the “pull-out” method fails. To reinforce the message, Durex includes an incentive: players in select regions receive digital discount codes for condoms after participating.
This interactive approach cleverly merges entertainment with education. It frames safe sex not as a chore or moral duty, but as a smart, self-respecting choice that can coexist with fun and curiosity.
Durex’s campaign also speaks to the ongoing need for accessible sexual health education worldwide. Despite advances in contraception and open conversation about sexuality, misinformation remains widespread. Myths about fertility, withdrawal, and “natural” methods persist across generations and cultures.
According to the Guttmacher Institute, almost half of all pregnancies globally are unintended. Limited access to education and contraception remains a major factor, but so does misunderstanding about how reproductive systems work. Campaigns like this one serve as cultural nudges, using humor to make factual knowledge more memorable.
In regions where comprehensive sex education is still controversial or limited, pop-culture campaigns by trusted brands can fill an important gap. While Durex’s primary goal is brand visibility, the underlying message reinforces a public health priority: that contraception is a shared responsibility and informed choices lead to better outcomes.
The concept was developed by BLKJ Havas, a Singapore-based creative agency known for its unconventional approach to marketing. The firm has earned a reputation for what it calls “un-advertising,” crafting campaigns that feel like cultural commentary rather than traditional ads.
Their work with Durex reflects this philosophy. Instead of focusing on product features, The Pull Out Game Game builds a story around behavior and awareness. The humor, awkwardness, and self-reflective tone fit seamlessly within Durex’s ongoing mission to empower people to make confident, informed choices about their sexual health.
The campaign also highlights a broader shift in how sexual wellness brands communicate. Rather than avoiding humor or risk, they now embrace authenticity and relatability. This trend can be seen in recent initiatives by other global brands that use memes, social media challenges, and interactive tools to reach younger audiences with accurate sexual health information.
At first glance, The Pull Out Game Game looks like a quirky online distraction. But behind the laughter is a simple, evidence-based message: pulling out is not protection.
By framing contraception as both a personal responsibility and a cultural conversation, Durex continues to blur the line between education and entertainment. For many, the game may serve as a playful wake-up call to rethink old habits and explore safer, more reliable options.
Sexual wellness campaigns have evolved far beyond posters and pamphlets. They now live in the spaces where people spend their time, on phones, in games, and across social media. If education can come with a smile, Durex’s latest experiment proves that it just might stick.
The Pull Out Game Game is available to play for free at pulloutgamegame.com.
