The Longest Walk

The Longest Walk is a documentary-inspired walking-simulator game about my father’s experience of living with depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts.

This work is part of a wider research project exploring how games can be utilized as a creative medium for representing biographical and documentary storytelling, within the applied context of lived experience of health issues.

This game aims to reduce feelings of isolation through shared experience and encourage those who are struggling with depression or experiencing suicidal thoughts to reach out for help. Through my father’s sharing of his personal experience in an open and frank manner, this documentary game aims to provoke discussion and tackle the stigma around opening-up about mental health issues.

This project can be passively watched as a video documentary or played as an interactive game; allowing you to take control, explore the story at your own pace, and contemplate whilst walking in his footsteps.

This game was created as part of a series of PhD prototypes at Abertay University.

Company: TheSandymanCan / Alexander Tarvet / Somewhat Unsettling Ltd

Platform: PC / Meta Quest 2 (VR)

Release Date: 11/05/2022 (Itch.io), 10/11/2022 (Steam)