Jordan Douglas

Can Games be an Effective Form of Expression?

Synopsis

The aim of this project is to look at how well-suited game development is to being used as an artistic form.

I researched the techniques used within psychotherapy (specifically art therapy), and further used these methods to help conjure some emotions from myself and translate them into gameplay elements. This helped me to create a prototype game which focuses on a fictional character's inner struggle during the international lockdowns that have taken place over the past year. The game character is an exaggerated version of myself and their story is how I try to express my personal experiences.

Project info

  • Developer Jordan Douglas
  • Showcase year 2021
  • Programme Game Design and Production

Can Games be an Effective Form of Expression?

This project investigates how we can use the creation of a game to express our emotions, and if using techniques found in art therapy, can help us find what we want to say.

Motivation

My passion for the flexibility of games and how diverse they can be. With the still growing rise of indie games and the diversity of games available being so large, I wanted to look into how effective the medium could be at allowing the developer to express themselves in a way that might help them through difficult times.

Credits

“Can Games be an Effective Form of Expression?” is a 2021 Digital Graduate Show project by Jordan Douglas, a Games Design and Production student at Abertay University.   

Find out more      

Jordan's Website

LinkedIn

YouTube           

Full Project Here!

Jordan Douglas

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