The person who plays this may feel well for a moment, but in the end, you're only lying to yourself, convincing yourself that everything is ok. It offered no real solution to the pain from the memory. I still have the memory of being bullied in fourth through sixth grade. A game (or anything offering a solution) should be involved enough so that a person can contemplate the problem that they have and discover the solution for themselves. If not, it simply covers the problem, and at the end of the day, it's still there. I still appreciate your concern for people's problems, and your attempt at trying to make them feel better, and that, in and of itself, deserves hundreds of stars.
Author Comments
The Memory Pain Reliever removes the suffering associated to a memory through the use of gameplay and music. The idea for this experience comes after reading about the research done at Oxford University with two groups of people. One played Tetris and the other did not after a traumatic event. The study suggests that the group of people that played Tetris for a period of time seemed to overcome the trauma faster and "easier", than the other group. I'm also quite interested in videogames and psychotherapy as analyzed in MIke Langlois' Reset. The Memory Pain Reliever challenges the following notions regarding videogames--/a game has to always be "addictive"? Do we always need "replay value"? This experience which I personally like to describe as a game, is different according to the memories of every person. As you watch the intro, you may remember a memory that is yours and yours only. So you choose according to your own experience and personal definition. It just takes a minute of your time to reflect about a memory. Once again, thank you for noticing the intent of The Memory Pain Reliever.
I really enjoyed playing this game, I mean sure it doesn't help with the pain, but I mean it's the thought that counts. I can tell that you obviously made this game so you could try and help people feel better, no matter how small an amount that is. Thank you so much, you have made my day C:
jegcelorio responds:
Wow mini1221! I'm so glad you enjoyed The Memory Pain Reliever! The focus of the game is exactly to give you a small amount of hope, or strength to continue living. Sure, the execution may be improved, but the fact that people like you appreciate its purpose is a TRULY rewarding phenomenon. You have made my day by 1. Sharing time of your life to play the game and 2. Taking the time to write such a warm review! You motivate me to continue developing games.
I was honestly expecting a game, talking about topics like how without pain, there is no life either, when I saw that it was an honest attempt to remove pain from memories, I was astonished, it is clear you are aiming for the placebo effect, and furthermore, that you do not have a shred of training in psychology, nor have you studied literature, I'm not saying you should not try to do something, but I would suggest putting a little more thought into your next project, this is not science, nor is it wise.
jegcelorio responds:
Thanks JackofPojo! It is interesting that you mention the Placebo effect for isn't it what most games do to us? When we play a game, the fact that we go from level to level, earning achievements or beating highscores--isn't that a Placebo? After all, we feel better because we achieve. Whether it is in a digital experience or in real life, the sense of completion/achievement is a powerful one. You feel better because the game tells you you are advancing/improving your skills. That is the kind of feedback I'm trying to experiment with in The Memory Pain Reliever. Great comment!
Did this help me feel better? Absolutely not. Was it fun to play? No. I honestly found it rude when I was done clicking the color blobs and the game told me I no longer felt pain. Of course I still feel pain. My cat died. I'm not getting over that just by clicking some pixels and hearing quiet music.
jegcelorio responds:
Thanks for playing Igloolik! Sorry about your loss. Keep living!
Okay....what the hell?
What was the point? It didn't reduce "pain" it gave me more by being completely pointless! I can understand that you just wanted a player who truely is hurt somehow emotionally to tell him "You're fine" and make him feel better, but this does not if it doesn't actually do anything. I can just aswell talk to a wall and it would be the same.
If it had some kind of...relaxing gameplay(actually PLAY not just "game") with meaningfull pictures and sounds and whatnot, then it might be passable, but this is just sad.
Also what is the point of choosing your gender or sexuality and then your "pain" if it does not nothing to change the little there is of the gameplay.
To sum up, i can see what you were trying to do, but you failed and actually made things worse, at least for this indivual.
jegcelorio responds:
Thank for your review and suggestions Kibate!
