1. spent https://playspent.org/
During the game Spent, I felt nothing really before playing. In my first playthrough, the only major decision I made was taking my pet to the vet, which cost me to go bankrupt on day six, and I felt terrible and learned that I have to be less emotional, which I did in my second playthrough, skipping my grandfather’s memorial and doing some gigs for extra cash, but I also learned that being cheap can lead to bigger problems in the future.

 

2. BBC Syrian Refugees https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-32057601

I was a little wary because of the name of the game, but two main decisions I took were spending more money for safety and saving the daughter and mother from drowning while crossing a river, which made me get lost from my family. I feel a little empty because I’m scared to be in these people’s shoes one day. During the second playthrough, I took the exact same route, but I didn’t save the mother and child, and I don’t feel like I’ve made the right choice. Although they might have survived, I’m not sure I’ll ever be able to look at myself the same way if I actually did this. I guess what I really learned is to never go against my morals or to do something I can’t take back or regret later on, which is what I usually tend to do.

 

3. Skills Practice: A Home Visit https://h5p.org/branching-scenario#example=439819

I like the way the game works, but it really felt uncomfortable playing. I don’t like abuse, and it’s just uncomfortable to me to see these types of situations. The woman was obviously scared and irritated, and the man was very aggressive. I seemed to choose all the wrong answers for some reason. I think more paths would be better to improve this game, but I don’t think the game was really for me.

4. September 7th, 2020. https://caitkirby.com/downloads/Fall%202020.html

I’m not sure how to feel about this. Of all the other games, it’s the most realistic one to me because I can actually see it happening to me, but at the same time, I felt really heavy-hearted while playing it. I just didn’t want to deal with whatever was going on, and I felt like every option that faced me, I was trying to escape. I guess it’s predictable because this game can be relatable unlike the other ones. I just hate it when things don’t go my way, it feels like I’m suffocating, and I look for any sort of escape. Maybe they could add pictures to improve it.

5. Project Honduras https://games.trocaire.org/project-honduras/

6. Orphan by Heart https://docs.google.com/forms/u/0/d/e/1FAIpQLSd2GxAw6iPKAjaqVt8UhjNiSEaAY-ZN40MuoDZHr8KK7l7mYA/formResponse
To begin, it hit like none of the other games. Although I can’t relate to orphans, I have a certain soft spot for them. I don’t know why, maybe it’s because I was so fortunate with my parents, so I tend to feel bad when I feel like others can’t feel the same way. There’s this orphanage that I try to visit at least once a year. The kids there are really sweet, and it breaks my heart every time I see them, but it brings me joy to go spend time there. It’s really hard knowing that you’re alone and not knowing who you belong to.
7. Classroom Game I don’t really remember the name of it, but we got to roll a dice, and whichever color it landed on, we got an emotion reflecting the color. We had to think of a situation that made us feel this way, and I guess I liked it because it’s really hard for me to open up or talk to people about stuff, so this was some sort of excuse for me to do so without feeling guilt.
comparison
Comparing all the games I played, I realized that they all put me in positions where I felt a strong need to escape because things weren’t going my way. In games like Spent and the Syrian Refugee simulation, the pressure of survival made me feel suffocated, especially when I had to choose between my personal success and my moral integrity. Whether it was the discomfort of witnessing abuse in the Home Visit or the heavy-heartedness of the COVID simulation, I found that I consistently look for an escape when I am faced with situations I can’t control or fix. The most impactful games were the ones that forced me to stay true to my morals, like saving the mother and child even if it meant losing my family, because I learned that I can’t look at myself the same way if I do something I’ll regret later. Even in the classroom game, I found a way to open up because it gave me a safe excuse to do so without the guilt I usually feel. Ultimately, these games showed me that while I hate it when I can’t find an easy way out, my character is defined by the choices I make when I’m backed into a corner. And I get it, this is hoe life works and I’ve spent all my life believing this. It’s just sometimes I feel like I can’t catch a break.

Part 2

1. Ikigai and VIA Strengths

  • What I Love: I love being true to myself and staying authentic in everything I do.

  • What I’m Good At: I am good at listening to people and understanding their perspectives.

  • What the World Needs: I think the world needs more understanding and empathy between one another.

  • What I Can Be Paid For: I think I could be paid for baking, as it is a skill I enjoy.

  • My VIA Strengths: My top strengths are openness, perspective, curiosity, and care.

AI IDEA https://chatgpt.com/share/69a4ffd8-5e9c-8004-9dd4-10be14b9fb4f

Maps of the Mind”

Genre: Narrative puzzle adventure
Concept:
You enter emotional landscapes for each character — symbolic worlds shaped by memories. You solve puzzles by offering empathetic choices, leading to healed memories or deeper conflict.

Pathway Examples

  • A forest representing doubt — choose paths that reflect, encourage, or confront

  • A mountain representing fear — decide whether to climb alone or guide others

I like it but it feels generic

My Game Idea

I think I would like a game where people try to find something new about themselves. It would be a journey where the player faces different situations that challenge their perspective and force them to look inward.