Depression Quest: Difference between revisions
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'''''Depression Quest''''' is a |
'''''Depression Quest''''' is a 2013 [[interactive fiction]] dealing with the subject of [[depression (mood)|depression]]. It was developed by [[Zoe Quinn]] with the [[Twine (software)|Twine]] engine, playable as a flash game in 2013, and was released on [[Steam (software)|Steam]] in August 2014<ref name="Forbes">{{cite web|url=http://www.forbes.com/sites/davidthier/2014/08/14/depression-quest-free-on-steam-in-wake-of-robin-williams-suicide/|title='Depression Quest' Free In Wake Of Robin Williams' Suicide|last=Thier|first=Dave|publisher=Forbes|date=August 14, 2014|accessdate=August 19, 2014}}</ref><!-- For the Twine claim: --><ref>{{cite web|title=Play this: 'Bad Paper,' a journalistic choose your own adventure story about debt collection|url=http://news.yahoo.com/play-bad-paper-journalistic-choose-153402598.html|last=Robertson|first=Adi|publisher=Yahoo News|date=August 15, 2014|accessdate=August 23, 2014}}</ref>, one of many released through its Greenlight program. The game attempts to bridge the gap in understanding between sufferers and non-sufferers of depression. Non-sufferers are shown the burden of living with the affliction, and sufferers are shown that depression is not something that has to be suffered alone.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2014/08/14/depression-quest-now-available-for-free-on-steam|title=Depression Quest Now Available for Free on Steam|publisher=IGN|last=Williams|first=Katie|date=August 14, 2014|accessdate=August 19, 2014}}</ref> |
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The game was released shortly after the death of American actor [[Robin Williams]]. Following his [[Robin_Williams#Death|suicide]], Quinn considered not releasing it, but eventually decided to release it for free.<ref name="Forbes" /> Quinn, however, decided not to promote the game "until a respectful time later".<ref name="Forbes" /> |
The game was released on Steam shortly after the death of American actor [[Robin Williams]]. Following his [[Robin_Williams#Death|suicide]], Quinn considered not releasing it, but eventually decided to release it for free.<ref name="Forbes" /> Quinn, however, decided not to promote the game "until a respectful time later".<ref name="Forbes" /> |
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== Gameplay == |
== Gameplay == |
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''Depression Quest'' is an interactive fiction written in the style of a ''[[Choose Your Own Adventure]]'' book.<ref name="ArsTechnica">{{cite web|url=http://arstechnica.com/gaming/2014/08/what-depression-quest-taught-me-about-dealing-with-mental-illness/|title=What Depression Quest taught me about dealing with mental illness|publisher=Ars Technica|last=Orland|first=Kyle|date=August 22, 2014|accessdate=August 23, 2014}}</ref> The story is conveyed primarily through the medium of text, occasionally interspersed with still images,<ref name="GamePolitics">{{cite web|url=http://www.gamepolitics.com/2014/08/13/depression-quest-now-available-steam|title='Depression Quest' Now Available on Steam|date=August 13, 2014|publisher=Game Politics|accessdate=August 23, 2014}}</ref> and accompanied by atmospheric music.<ref name="GameRevolution">{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerevolution.com/manifesto/why-depression-quest-matters-27657|title=Why Depression Quest Matters|publisher=Game Revolution|last=Vazquez|first=Jessica|date=August 14, 2014|accessdate=August 23, 2014}}</ref> Players assume the role of a depression sufferer, and the story centers around their daily life, their relationships, their work, and possible treatment options.<ref name="GamePolitics" /> Players are periodically faced with choices that alter the course of the story. To make a choice, the player must click on the corresponding [[hyperlink]].<ref name="ArsTechnica" /> However, choices are often greyed out and cannot be clicked on, a mechanism that ''Depression Quest'' uses to portray the character's mental state and how logical decisions may not be available to them.<ref name="GameRevolution" /> |
''Depression Quest'' is an interactive fiction written in the style of a ''[[Choose Your Own Adventure]]'' book.<ref name="ArsTechnica">{{cite web|url=http://arstechnica.com/gaming/2014/08/what-depression-quest-taught-me-about-dealing-with-mental-illness/|title=What Depression Quest taught me about dealing with mental illness|publisher=Ars Technica|last=Orland|first=Kyle|date=August 22, 2014|accessdate=August 23, 2014}}</ref> The story is conveyed primarily through the medium of text, occasionally interspersed with still images,<ref name="GamePolitics">{{cite web|url=http://www.gamepolitics.com/2014/08/13/depression-quest-now-available-steam|title='Depression Quest' Now Available on Steam|date=August 13, 2014|publisher=Game Politics|accessdate=August 23, 2014}}</ref> and accompanied by atmospheric music.<ref name="GameRevolution">{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerevolution.com/manifesto/why-depression-quest-matters-27657|title=Why Depression Quest Matters|publisher=Game Revolution|last=Vazquez|first=Jessica|date=August 14, 2014|accessdate=August 23, 2014}}</ref> Players assume the role of a male depression sufferer, and the story centers around their daily life, their relationships, their work, and possible treatment options.<ref name="GamePolitics" /> Players are periodically faced with choices that alter the course of the story. To make a choice, the player must click on the corresponding [[hyperlink]].<ref name="ArsTechnica" /> However, choices are often greyed out and cannot be clicked on, a mechanism that ''Depression Quest'' uses to portray the character's mental state and how logical decisions may not be available to them.<ref name="GameRevolution" /> The player's in-game choices, such as whether or not the player reaches out for help or is open with his friends, ultimately determine the ending, where the player's girlfriend may or may not break up with him. |
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== Reception == |
== Reception == |
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Response to the game has been particularly polarizing since its release on Steam, receiving high marks from the likes of [[Giant Bomb]]<ref name="Giant Bomb">{{cite web|url=http://www.giantbomb.com/articles/they-made-a-game-that-understands-me/1100-4619/|title=They Made a Game That Understands Me|last=Klepek|first=Patrick|publisher=Giant Bomb|date=April 10, 2013|accessdate=August 23, 2014}}</ref> and [[Rock Paper Shotgun]]<ref name="Rock, Paper, Shotgun">{{cite web|url=http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2013/02/14/mostly-indescribable-depression-quest/|title=Mostly Indescribable: Depression Quest|last=Smith|first=Adam|publisher=Rock Paper Shotgun|date=February 14, 2013|accessdate=August 23, 2014}}</ref> praising it for its writing, with the latter describing it as a "game as communication, comfort and tool of understanding." Depression Quest was one of many games [[IndieCade]] included at their [[2013]] festival as part of their "Night Games" selections.<ref name="IndieCade">{{cite web|url=http://www.indiecade.com/2013/festival_nightgames/|title=IndieCade Night Games|accessdate=August 23, 2014}}</ref> |
Response to the game has been particularly polarizing since its release on Steam, receiving high marks from the likes of [[Giant Bomb]]<ref name="Giant Bomb">{{cite web|url=http://www.giantbomb.com/articles/they-made-a-game-that-understands-me/1100-4619/|title=They Made a Game That Understands Me|last=Klepek|first=Patrick|publisher=Giant Bomb|date=April 10, 2013|accessdate=August 23, 2014}}</ref> and [[Rock Paper Shotgun]]<ref name="Rock, Paper, Shotgun">{{cite web|url=http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2013/02/14/mostly-indescribable-depression-quest/|title=Mostly Indescribable: Depression Quest|last=Smith|first=Adam|publisher=Rock Paper Shotgun|date=February 14, 2013|accessdate=August 23, 2014}}</ref> praising it for its writing, with the latter describing it as a "game as communication, comfort and tool of understanding." Player reaction was less positive, as some gamers questioned how much a woman would know about being depressed. Criticism was also levelled at the characterisation of the (nameless) main character, who some felt had little obvious reason to be depressed, as he had a job, girlfriend, several friends and a close relationship with family. Depression Quest was one of many games [[IndieCade]] included at their [[2013]] festival as part of their "Night Games" selections.<ref name="IndieCade">{{cite web|url=http://www.indiecade.com/2013/festival_nightgames/|title=IndieCade Night Games|accessdate=August 23, 2014}}</ref> |
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== References == |
== References == |
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Revision as of 22:30, 23 August 2014
| Depression Quest | |
|---|---|
| Developer(s) | Zoe Quinn |
| Platform(s) | Steam |
| Release | August 2014 |
| Genre(s) | Text-based video game |
Depression Quest is a 2013 interactive fiction dealing with the subject of depression. It was developed by Zoe Quinn with the Twine engine, playable as a flash game in 2013, and was released on Steam in August 2014[1][2], one of many released through its Greenlight program. The game attempts to bridge the gap in understanding between sufferers and non-sufferers of depression. Non-sufferers are shown the burden of living with the affliction, and sufferers are shown that depression is not something that has to be suffered alone.[3]
The game was released on Steam shortly after the death of American actor Robin Williams. Following his suicide, Quinn considered not releasing it, but eventually decided to release it for free.[1] Quinn, however, decided not to promote the game "until a respectful time later".[1]
Gameplay
Depression Quest is an interactive fiction written in the style of a Choose Your Own Adventure book.[4] The story is conveyed primarily through the medium of text, occasionally interspersed with still images,[5] and accompanied by atmospheric music.[6] Players assume the role of a male depression sufferer, and the story centers around their daily life, their relationships, their work, and possible treatment options.[5] Players are periodically faced with choices that alter the course of the story. To make a choice, the player must click on the corresponding hyperlink.[4] However, choices are often greyed out and cannot be clicked on, a mechanism that Depression Quest uses to portray the character's mental state and how logical decisions may not be available to them.[6] The player's in-game choices, such as whether or not the player reaches out for help or is open with his friends, ultimately determine the ending, where the player's girlfriend may or may not break up with him.
Reception
Response to the game has been particularly polarizing since its release on Steam, receiving high marks from the likes of Giant Bomb[7] and Rock Paper Shotgun[8] praising it for its writing, with the latter describing it as a "game as communication, comfort and tool of understanding." Player reaction was less positive, as some gamers questioned how much a woman would know about being depressed. Criticism was also levelled at the characterisation of the (nameless) main character, who some felt had little obvious reason to be depressed, as he had a job, girlfriend, several friends and a close relationship with family. Depression Quest was one of many games IndieCade included at their 2013 festival as part of their "Night Games" selections.[9]
References
- ^ a b c Thier, Dave (August 14, 2014). "'Depression Quest' Free In Wake Of Robin Williams' Suicide". Forbes. Retrieved August 19, 2014.
- ^ Robertson, Adi (August 15, 2014). "Play this: 'Bad Paper,' a journalistic choose your own adventure story about debt collection". Yahoo News. Retrieved August 23, 2014.
- ^ Williams, Katie (August 14, 2014). "Depression Quest Now Available for Free on Steam". IGN. Retrieved August 19, 2014.
- ^ a b Orland, Kyle (August 22, 2014). "What Depression Quest taught me about dealing with mental illness". Ars Technica. Retrieved August 23, 2014.
- ^ a b "'Depression Quest' Now Available on Steam". Game Politics. August 13, 2014. Retrieved August 23, 2014.
- ^ a b Vazquez, Jessica (August 14, 2014). "Why Depression Quest Matters". Game Revolution. Retrieved August 23, 2014.
- ^ Klepek, Patrick (April 10, 2013). "They Made a Game That Understands Me". Giant Bomb. Retrieved August 23, 2014.
- ^ Smith, Adam (February 14, 2013). "Mostly Indescribable: Depression Quest". Rock Paper Shotgun. Retrieved August 23, 2014.
- ^ "IndieCade Night Games". Retrieved August 23, 2014.
External links
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