Mental Health Walking Simulator

Context

This walking simulator idea is about how the pressure of university life and ignorance of other people affected a student’s mental health. The player character is moving into their new university house and discovers the previous tenant’s stuff still lying around the bedroom. They pick up objects which explain the events that led up to Lea’s disappearance.

Diary Entry Sample - The diary entry plays as a voice over, the player character has to look through everything else in the house before they can access it.

The night we were all playing drinking games was probably one of the turning points. A lot happened that night. Finn definitely made up that dare because he knew you were into me. I don’t know how you felt about it, but I had a complete breakdown in my room later that night. I bailed on our usual hangout session the next day because I claimed to be hungover. It wasn’t a lie, but it wasn’t exactly the truth. I felt disgusting the next day. Sorry Henry, I don’t know if you’ll read this, but I’m not writing this to make you feel bad about yourself. You are wonderful and the greatest friend I could ever ask for but doing that dare made me realise something I had been trying to avoid thinking about for as long as possible. It felt wrong, so wrong. Panic attacks keep happening more frequently, I haven’t slept properly in weeks, I haven’t been able to focus on any of my work.

Dialogue Sample - When the player picks up an EpiPen, the player is led to another bedroom where transparent versions of the characters appear and start speaking the dialogue.

It has been a long stressful day for a lot of people. Henry is walking around his room moving things around and keeping himself occupied to try and dissipate his emotions. Finn walks in nonchalantly, unaware of what is going on around him, as usual.

Finn: Knock knock. You doin' okay?

Henry: [flat tone] Why are you asking me that?

Finn: It's been a pretty crazy night and you were very quiet towards the end, I just-

Henry: I meant, why are you asking me that? Lea is the one you should be asking. Actually, better yet, do not go near her again if you’re going to pull that crap.

Finn: You sound so serious Hen. I admit it got a bit out of hand, but no one thought it would actually go that far.

Henry: You did not think giving a girl who has a nut allergy food with nuts in it would go that far? Do you hear yourself?

Finn: Maybe she should have checked what was in it first.

Henry: She did check. By asking you guys.

Finn: Right, but you know what they’re like.

Henry: You are not including yourself in that I see.