The UofT Experience

Inspiration

The inspiration for our project, The UofT Experience, stems from the alarming mental health status in Canada. Statistics reveal that 1 in 5 Canadians suffers from mental health problems, with even higher rates among college students. Specifically, 45.1% of post-secondary students experience high-stress levels, and up to 35% meet the diagnostic criteria for at least one mental health disorder. Recognizing these challenges, our team envisioned a game that visualizes the experiences of college students grappling with mental illness. Through this medium, we aim to raise awareness, foster empathy, and educate players on effective coping techniques.

What it does

A platformer game

How we built it

We chose to build The UofT Experience using the Godot engine. Our process began with designing the overall logistics of the game, ensuring that the narrative and gameplay aligned with our objectives. We started by developing a basic platformer game, which served as a foundation. Gradually, we added features and elements to make the game more interesting and immersive, always keeping our core mission of raising mental health awareness at the forefront of our design choices.

What we learned

2 out of 3 members of our team had no prior experience in game development. Despite this, we embraced the opportunity to learn and grow, particularly in using the Godot engine. We gained valuable insights into game design, interface design, and project logistics, all of which have been rewarding experiences. We also learned crucial skills such as controlling player movement and implementing engaging mechanics, which enhanced our understanding of game development.