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Jiaxing GaoThesis Final2.pdf (2.31 MB)

ETD Abstract Container

Abstract Header

Prevent Childhood Trauma: Using a Psychological Horror Game to Arouse Empathy

Gao, Jiaxing
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1650323597134802

Abstract Details

2022, Master of Fine Arts, Ohio State University, Design.
Happy Lane 403 is a psychological horror game that emphasizes the impact of the family environment on children. In the game, players experience several types of ACEs and serious trauma from a child's perspective. The children in the game epitomize children who have grown up in the nineties among working class families across China and who have been harmed by authoritarian parenting styles and domestic violence. The main purpose of the game is to draw parents' attention to childhood experiences. Children’s childhood experiences may have a profound impact on their future. Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) can have very serious consequences. However, affected by traditional culture, knowledge level, and economic level, many parents fail to notice the possible consequences of ACEs. What’s worse is that this issue has not received universal attention, especially in Chinese society at present. Harmful parenting ways are still prevailing. Therefore, I decided to design a psychological horror game to help adult players understand how kids feel and how ACEs hurt. I hypothesize that once adult players can empathize with this problem, they may pay more attention to children’s experiences. The main research goal of this thesis is to explore how the design of game levels can induce empathy in players and make them aware of the harm of ACEs. I will introduce the various measures, theories, and meanings involved in level design.
Matthew Lewis (Advisor)
Scott Swearingen (Committee Member)
William Nickley (Committee Member)
88 p.
Design

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Gao, J. (2022). Prevent Childhood Trauma: Using a Psychological Horror Game to Arouse Empathy [Master's thesis, Ohio State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1650323597134802

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Gao, Jiaxing. Prevent Childhood Trauma: Using a Psychological Horror Game to Arouse Empathy. 2022. Ohio State University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1650323597134802.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Gao, Jiaxing. "Prevent Childhood Trauma: Using a Psychological Horror Game to Arouse Empathy." Master's thesis, Ohio State University, 2022. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1650323597134802

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

osu1650323597134802
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This open access ETD is published by The Ohio State University and OhioLINK.