An interactive drama surrounding societal
beauty ideals and body dysmorphic disorder
Is who we consider beautiful
really “natural”?
Despite the late hour, Arifa, a distant friend of yours, invites you to her apartment. She is sitting in the dark, agitated and seemingly in need of someone to talk to. As Arifa begins to recount the events of a very particular evening, you put yourself in her position and live through the experiences yourself, slowly unveiling more and more about Arifa’s serious condition, its consequences, and why all of that extends far beyond just her …
How do we contribute to
existing beauty ideals?
Monochrome Beauty is an interactive drama, experienced through a first-person perspective.
Based on extensive research, the game explores the impacts and origins of current beauty ideals, and advocates for a broader understanding of what it means to be beautiful. Developed in consultation with medical experts and the affected themselves,
Monochrome Beauty also prominently depicts some of the struggles people living with body dysmorphic disorder face on a daily basis.
Showing how video games can be both meaningful and engaging, the project takes players on an emotional journey, filled with gripping twists, unique mechanics, and lasting impressions.
What could a different
understanding of beauty look like?
General information
- Content warning: Body dysmorphic disorder, suicide
- Genre: Serious game, drama, adventure
- Age recommendation: 16+
- Duration: ~2-3 hours per playthrough
- Platforms: PC (for now)
- Engine: Developed in Unreal Engine 5
- Release date: To be announced
Key game features
- Large gameplay variety: Few core mechanics, complemented by various context-dependent actions: In-game web searches, fighting compulsive thoughts, hiding from neighbors, acting out a fictional puppet theater, …
- One story, two viewpoints: To maximize empathy and immersion, players alternate between steering Arifa through her eventful evening, and reflecting on those experiences weeks later, playing as a friend of hers
- Emotional state system: The underlying framework controlling Arifa’s options and mental state, based on story progression and player choices
- To be human: Gameplay that also challenges players’ empathy and attentiveness – not just their skills with the controls
