adhdthegame

[adhdthegame]

CAPSTONE FINAL REFLECTION

So here we are...reflecting...finally with finality on this leg of the journey as pertaining to academia.

Check out the itch page, here!

[adhdthegame]

Okay...

At least once a week? Maybe not...or maybe now. I dunno, we'll see.

Anyway, since posting my intro video I've reached out to folks in the ADHD and indie gamedev community. I wanted to see what other ADHD brains would like to see in a game like this and from the game dev community, asking about design ideas.

I made a survey (which you can fill out, too, if you're so inclined - I'd be happy for the feedback!) and posted on Twitter, Facebook, and a couple Discord servers.

And the feedback has been great! Some of it coming from folks I'm acquainted with, some from total strangers; regardless, it's great to see folks who show interest in the project and want to contribute to its success!

I'm keeping track of everyone who contributes - through this survey and any other channels of support in the future - to be sure to thank them appropriately and acknowledge their contributions.

WHAT KIND OF GAME SHOULD IT BE?

So, the majority is currently favoring a first-person walking simulator, akin to Firewatch, Dear Esther, Gone Home and the like.

I'm digging this, because that's how I've envisioned it for a while now!

This kind of game will help with gameplay immersion.

OBJECTIVE VS NARRATIVE

So this is...kind of a trick question. Well, not really...I don't know. I asked if people think it should be objective or narrative-based. The majority prefer objective-based, this meaning an emphasis on accomplishing objectives.

This kind of thing can near about be a 1-to-1 translation as accomplishing objectives - or day-to-day tasks - is a often a significant challenge for ADHD brains.

In a video game, the narrative is pretty much driven by an objective to accomplish. Whether it's to move to the right and reach the flag before the timer runs out while stomping sentient mushrooms and consuming super ones to inherit their super qualities, or to investigate an empty house to discover what's become of the residents, without a motivation or a goal, the player is left with...nothing to do, really.

So while they are inextricably linked, putting the focus on objectives help me in designing the game.

THE SETTING

My original plan was to set it in a sci-fi/fantasy world, and turns out the majority of respondents are down with that! The others are evenly divided, and I love that.

Another bit of feedback that's stuck out in the comment sections is people recommending going along with some familiar ideas, but to also deviate somehow, making it unique. So...that's going to be interesting. :)

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One more thing that's meaningful to me is one of the respondents commented on how they have a child with ADHD, but they're not making it public knowledge precisely because of the reason I want to make this game - they're afraid of the reaction, backlash, and assumptions made about their child if it were to be openly known.

My heart aches for this person. I identify with it, not only because of my experience of growing up with undiagnosed ADHD, but because I , too, have a child who most likely has ADHD due to genetics.

So that's where we're at.

I'll make sure to have another update right soon!

[adhdthegame]

Hi there! This is my introduction to you and what I'm working on - namely a video game to help dispel some of the stigma surrounding ADHD and mental health issues.

Check it out! I'll be posting here at least once a week with progress updates.