As much as games can be escapist and fun, they can also inform compassion. 14 Days aims to relate the experience of suffering from chronic pain through playing.
“In the game, you’ll play out two weeks in the life of a person with migraines. You’ll schedule your life one day at a time, juggling work, relationships, and hobbies around the reality of unpredictable pain. The game plays in 45 mins to an hour, followed by a discussion section at the end.
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The mechanics of the game are based on the unpredictability of migraines and the medications, rebound headaches, and misconceptions. However, there are many types of chronic pain that impact and reshape people’s lives. I hope 14 days can serve as a resource for building empathy and understanding.
14 Days isn’t a game about describing pain. It’s a game about balancing the responsibilities of everyday life when you don’t know what tomorrow will bring.”