Game Idea #5 : Crying in the Bathroom Stall

High Concept: This is an angst filled game with angst filled things. You play as a highschooler who has locked yourself in the bathroom stall. Its a puzzle / art game about figuring out what to do, while the player figures out why they are there.

Platform: PC Title, really small Indie Game.


Why it needs to be made: Its an art piece as well as a game. It needs to be made because often small events like these shape who we are, or where we'll go. The hard part will be hitting the sweet spot between making the player's remember moments like these, and giving them a satisfying game without being too contrived.


Description: You've been crying and its your lunch break. Class starts in 45 minutes and you  don't want to go. The player has 45 minutes to come to a decision about staying in the bathroom, going to class, going home, or a few other "endings."

You explore the bathroom, your backpack, skin and reflection to figure out what is keeping the character down and what decision you need to come to. The game would play like a mystery game where the player puts clues together and solves problems.

At one point in the game you would have to interact with someone entering the bathroom, or you could hide. The interaction could lead to clues as to why you've been crying and colors the ending choices.

Since I love the weird, this game will have to have an element of the weird as well. I'm thinking it takes place in a Orwellian style dystopia, or one the last survivors of a school torn apart by some awful creature. The idea behind this is to offset some of the utterly reprehensible idea of playing an emo style game. I want to give it a tangy sci-fi flavor while trying to keep a very serious narrative about decisions and being a teen.

Why it will be fun: High School had such high points and low ones. Experience them again! With a twist! Solve the mystery and try not to be moved to tears.

Final Notes: This idea was vaguely inspired by the pen and paper game Misspent Youth.