Development Page 3 Justin
The game, "Soft Underbelly", is a break from most exhausting first-hand experience wellness types of games. In this game, the owner, as I will call him, speaks to his cat about his trust and relationship problems. He compares his cat's trust and attention to his own social issues, mentioning things such as:
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"Thank you for loving your - sometimes helpless - human."
"You scare me sometimes, How big my hands must seem to you. How looming my figure is when I walk past. Like a giant. And yet, you show no signs of fear. you trust me so freely. How do you do it?"
"Most cats don't like belly rubs, but you show me the most vulnerable parts of your tiny body with such disarming willingness. It feels nice. To be trusted. How do you bounce back, when you realize your trust in someone has been misplaced? Tell me, how do you learn to show the soft underside of your belly again?"
"I've been neglecting my friends. I have a terrible habit of doing that. I become distant. It's just so hard to connect sometimes.. Sometimes I feel like there is an invisible wall between me and my friends. Do you ever feel like there's an invisible wall between you and other cats?"
"In a universe where nothing really matters, where I am but a collection of atoms living on a speck of dust known as Earth, I matter to you. It's nice. "
"You know... you're inspirational. The way you just unapologetically occupy the space you want. Make your wishes known. Defend your rightful personal space."
"Thank you for bringing me back to this moment."
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What this game does phenomenally in this short 10 min gameplay, is make the cat seem human. The developers give the cat human emotions and motivations that the owner in the story understands and appreciates. Although odd at first, the parallels between a cat and a human's nature are surprisingly obvious. The character mentions himself that the cat inspires him to be more assertive towards his wishes. He even questions the cat, how does an animal show much more vulnerability towards a stronger being, when he can't do the same towards a fellow human. It's an interesting twist that follows how Nair describes creative bibliotherapy. "Creative bibliotherapy provides a chance for people to engage with different psychosocial and emotional issues through reading/watching/playing a story" (Nair et al.). By reading bibliotherapeutic stories such as "Soft Underbelly," the reader achieves an understanding of the emotional issues that others face. The most important issue that appears with the owner, is his tendancy to put up a "wall" whenever he starts to feel disconnected. Although he doesn't mean to, he inevitably forgets to message, call, or meet up with his friends. Although it may not be an issue that everyone can relate with, it provides insight for others who might be on the recieving side of the situation. Using a therapeutic atmosphere and art style assists in doing this and engaging the reader for a lasting impact.
