In depth research/development of my game idea can be here, and here.

Pitch:

Nurture pets at your animal shelter until they are ready to be adopted. Complete therapy-based mini games & mindfulness activities to unlock new, exciting items for them to enjoy whilst you level them up!

Detailed description:

I began the project with four different themes: CBT (cognitive behavioural art therapy), discrimination, fitness, and contagious behaviour. I made the decision to continue with CBT because of my interest in serious games and mental health. From researching in more detail, I started looking into CBAT (cognitive behavioural art therapy). However, after trying to design a game idea around this topic, I felt like the ‘art’ aspect was being forced. Following discussions with others, I managed to come up with a solid game that doesn’t focus strictly on art therapy, so I revised my essential experience from ‘using creative techniques, I want the player to have a better understanding of their thoughts, feelings, and behaviours’ to ‘the player should leave the game with more positive thoughts, feelings, and behaviours’. Despite this, I still want to incorporate a creative approach as it is remains a core branch of therapy, which was the initial theme of mine. This will be achieved with a journal/sketchbook space for the player to express themselves when needed. For

For the final revised game idea, the player will run a pet shelter where they will look after five animals. This will be done by playing, feeding, and resting them. Additionally, they will play mini-games and complete mindfulness activities in order to get new toys/food for the pet(s). The goal is to get animals adopted. To do this, they have to satisfy multiple criteria.

1. Pet must be fully fed
2. Pet must be happy
3. Pet must be fully rested
4. Player must have played all mini games for a certain amount of time or gone back to it a certain number of times (to be decided by playtesting)

Once this is all achieved, the pet is sent off for adoption. The player receives a postcard shortly after from their new owner that gives a description of how they are doing.

Essential Experience:

The player should leave the game with more positive thoughts, feelings, and behaviours.

Unique Selling Point:

A therapeutic experience in a fun, exciting way.

Genre: