Interweaving Narrative and Gameplay to Cultivate Empathy for Anxiety and Depression

Abstract

Mono no Aware, a single-player narrative-driven game, was developed to generate empathy for the mental and physical effects of anxiety and depression. Utilizing narrative, aesthetics, and design, the game’s core loop describes the experience of having anxiety and depression, while introducing common process therapy techniques as coping strategies. In this game, we developed a unique game mechanic of rewiring the brain as a way to mesh both narrative and gameplay together.M.S., Digital Media -- Drexel University, 201