Future Play – Assignment 4

Futureplay_s3658229_assignment4 from Isobel Hally on Vimeo.

 

The way i came the conclusion of making a game about depression, a subject that isn’t a nice one to talk about, isn’t easy to turn into something fun, was to make something on which i could talk about a lot. Struggling with my own mental illness i was trying to think of a way i could help others with my experiences. Noting that i of course only really based the game on myself, i would wonder how much of it would translate in the real world.

I wanted to make something that was cute and soothing, that wouldn’t be like the other blaring and sad looking games about depression. Just because it makes you sad doesn’t mean that making more sad content will help. The games theme of balance and self reassurance, comes from how i cope with my depressive episodes a lot of the time. This reassurance that i am not my depression but am effected by it, that sometimes these emotions are out of my control, and recognising them and the signs are how you prevent depressive episodes.

As i said in my presentation, this is not a game that does all of those things. It took years of help and struggle to get to the place i am today, but i do believe that if more people talked about the effects of depressive episodes and how to help those going through it, the guilt and shame felt wouldn’t be so severe or isolating. That was the thought process of the game concept.

Making it for younger adults was easiest as i knew how to appeal to them the most. Simplicity i think is always the way to go when faced with discussing a complex issue, so nothing can be lost in translation.