Master of Digital Media students design first-of-its-kind video game
Chinese Gender Marginalization in an Interactive Narrative
Masters of Digital Media (MDM) students Runyi Guo and Wenyue Zheng developed "Threads of Resilience," an interactive narrative game that delves into the historical and contemporary challenges faced by Chinese women due to traditional Confucian norms and gender inequalities. Supervised by Professor Dr. David Chandross and supported by MDM program director Dr. Lorena Escandon, Guo and Zheng’s prototype combined game design and digital storytelling skills from MDM’s interdisciplinary curriculum.
“In our MDM journey, we built a strong foundation in the digital media world. Throughout the program, we learned a bunch of cool stuff like interactive design, storytelling skills, and how to handle projects,” said Zheng. “The program's classes and hands-on experiences dived into the digital media scene. Even though game design wasn't the program's main focus, the knowledge and skills we picked fit perfectly into our game-making journey.”
Guo presents “Threads of Resilience” at MDM Industry Day in August
Developing a prototype
Through immersive storytelling and decision-making, players will better understand the multifaceted factors contributing to gender marginalization.
“We developed the prototype of ‘Threads of Resilience’ using Articy software as an interactive narrative game that focuses on the experiences of our protagonist, Yun, navigating different stages of her life in a patriarchal society influenced by Confucian values,” explained Guo. “Our prototype allows players to make choices that impact Yun's life and interactions with her family, society, and culture.”
Part of an interactive storyline created in Articy
The prototype includes four distinct levels, each representing a different phase of Yun's life and showcasing the challenges and resilience of Chinese women. Players engage in decision-making, explore the cultural context, and experience the impact of societal expectations on women.
“Gender equality, especially in the context of Chinese culture, the issue we tackled in “Threads of Resilience" is close to our hearts,” Zheng said. “We're not just making a game; we're on a mission to empower women, challenge norms, and champion inclusivity. We're also huge fans of interactive narrative games, so we want to share that enthusiasm.”
Guo (left) and Zheng (right) with their prototype and presentation at the Serious Play Conference
Chinese Gender Marginalization in an Interactive Narrative
The project addresses gender inequality in Chinese society, bridging historical and contemporary perspectives to promote empathy and drive positive change, encapsulating the game's mission.
“By letting players step into the shoes of women from different life stages, we aim to spark conversations, offer fresh perspectives, and highlight the pressing need for gender equality,” added Guo. “We hope people will see the importance of Chinese feminism, discover the intriguing facets of our history and culture, and, most importantly, join us in our quest towards equality.”
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