Hikikomori , a Game
Hikikomori , a Game ( working title ) is a narrative-driven graphic adventure game , initiated by a site-specific experience of a pedestrian tunnel temporarily inhabited by illegal migrants , in the Italian border town of Gorica . This point-and-click ( i . e . mouse-only ) adventure game is an attempt at offering an interactive , first-person experience of reclusive behaviours , social withdrawal and the effect it has on an isolated person ’ s mind .
Background , Idea and Game Concept
Building upon “ Mapping the Local ” international course methodology implemented synchronously in Budapest ( MKE ) and Belgrade ( FPU ), the project group met on a rainy day in November 2017 at a location of temporary significance to some of them : a 300m long pedestrian tunnel then inhabited by illegal migrants . The topic and the structure of the game developed after an explicit dealing with the migrant situation as such was dismissed as overused . Instead , a more hermetic and personal approach was chosen : in the context of the migrants ’ situation , the tunnel with two open ends could be interpreted as a closed space , both of voluntary and involuntary nature .
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