Playing With Heartbreak: Research & Development for a Game About Breaking Up

Abstract

Octopus Pot is a visual novel game about the complexities of falling in love, growing apart, breaking up, and moving on. The game was made using design research strategies to improve the impact and quality of the storytelling. This was done with the intention of creating an experience that causes the player to empathize with the characters and their situations, as well as real people who share those experiences. The project was informed using an understanding of the genre’s history, and the use of empathy in games. Narrative elements were ideated using inspiration taken from research conducted with people who had experienced major romantic breakups.