A screenshot from the game

Nijntje Goes Back To School

Promote mental well-being through empathetic gameplay.

Human dignity

Mental health

Physical prototype

"Nijntje Goes Back to School" champions cultural values of human dignity and mental health rights, integrating community support, empathy, and resilience into gameplay. Through interactive scenarios, players confront emotional challenges, promoting empathy and emphasizing the importance of mental well-being. The game aims to evoke a range of emotions, from empathy to reassurance and strength, fostering satisfaction and highlighting collective support efforts.

Game through culture

During the exploration phase at the Beeld & Geluid Museum in Hilversum, one project stood out to multiple team members, focusing on social media and how words can influence the mental health of influencers and people in general. This inspired the team to incorporate scenarios in the game that describe less positive events and how they affected emotional well-being.

Game for culture

For young people in relation to cultural heritage and European values, the game raises awareness of mental health struggles. It demonstrates how comfort characters, which are part of cultural heritage, can serve as effective communication tools for both young and older generations. The team observed that many older participants opened up about their own mental health struggles upon seeing Nijntje, without any prompting from the team.

Visit game page

Hilversum jam #01

English

Physical game

Credits

Elena – Storyteller & Game Designer
Grace – Storyteller & Game Designer
Iris – Game Designer
Madelief – Game Designer
Rozin – Game Designer
Madelief – Craftsman, Designer, and Artist
Rozin – Craftsman, Designer, and Artist
Iris – Craftsman, Designer, and Artist