What you Need to Know
Executive Summary: "Storytelling for Social Change"
Overview:
"Storytelling for Social Change" is an interactive board game that explores social determinants of health through the experiences of marginalized communities. The first iteration will introduce Jayden, a 17-year-old nonbinary youth navigating housing insecurity. The game will also feature characters focused on women’s reproductive rights and navigating disability. The project will engage the community through zine workshops, character design, and feedback, culminating in a community conference.
Key Deliverables & Dates:
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Playtest / Hackathon – March 29, 2025
- Test the prototype and gather feedback on gameplay.
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Zine Workshops – February 1-March 23, 2025
- Community workshops focused on character development and NPC creation.
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Character Design & Finalization – End of March 2025
- Final designs for Jayden and two additional characters
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Game Map Design – End of March 2025
- Complete map design integrating key locations and community resources.
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Final Game Production – April-May 2025
- Complete production of the board game (~50 copies, subject to change) and zines.
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Community Conference – May 18, 2025
- Unveil the game, host panel discussions, and engage the community in gameplay.
Introduction to the Project
Project Overview:
"Storytelling for Social Change" is an innovative narrative-based board game in development by Queerlective, aimed at educating players about the social determinants of health faced by marginalized communities. The game explores the lived experiences of individuals navigating complex social systems, such as healthcare and housing, by following their stories through an interactive map. Through engaging with these stories, players are encouraged to reflect on systemic issues while fostering empathy and understanding.
The game is designed to highlight critical issues such as healthcare access, housing instability, mental health, and discrimination, with a focus on marginalized communities, including queer, BIPOC, trans, disabled, and women-driven narratives. By bringing these challenges to life in a game format, we hope to inspire positive change and increase awareness around these vital issues.
Jayden’s Story is the first of three core narratives to be introduced in the game. Jayden is a 17-year-old nonbinary youth navigating the complex system of housing instability after aging out of the foster care system. In the game, players will walk through Jayden's journey of trying to find shelter, dealing with discrimination, and learning how to advocate for themselves in a world that is often unwelcoming to their identity.
Through Jayden's story, players will experience:
- The challenges of finding safe and affordable housing.
- The impact of systemic barriers on mental health and stability.
- The role of community organizations and support networks in empowering individuals.
Gameplay Experience:
The game is set up as an interactive experience where players are introduced to the characters, like Jayden, through a series of searchable scenes displayed on a large map. The map features different locations relevant to the character's story, such as shelters, community centers, or healthcare facilities. Players will explore these locations, interacting with characters, gathering resources, and making decisions that shape their path.
Key Gameplay Features:
- Character Interaction: As players explore the map, they will encounter other characters and NPCs, each contributing to the larger narrative.
- Educational Focus: Alongside the narrative, players will also learn about community resources and services that address the social issues presented in the game.
Jayden’s journey is an emotional and eye-opening experience for players. It’s designed to encourage discussions on housing insecurity and mental health, as well as the importance of community-based support systems.
Introducing Other Main Characters:
Jayden is the first of three main characters that will be introduced in this first iteration of the game. The next two characters may focus on themes such as the following:
- Women’s and Reproductive Rights: A character navigating the challenges of healthcare access, reproductive rights, and gender equity.
- Disability Advocacy: A character who faces the barriers of a healthcare system and society that often overlooks the needs of disabled individuals.
- Mental Health and Gendered Expectations:The psychological toll of societal pressures like motherhood, body image, and work-life balance.
- Gender Bias in Healthcare: The gender inequities that lead to misdiagnoses or dismissed health concerns.
Each character’s story will be crafted based on real-world interviews and discussions with people who have lived these experiences. Through these stories, players will gain a deeper understanding of the real-world struggles many individuals face, while also recognizing the resilience and strength of those working to overcome these obstacles.
Zine Workshops & Community Engagement:
To ensure the stories are authentic and representative, the game’s characters are developed in collaboration with community members through zine workshops. These workshops are an opportunity for participants to share their own stories, develop NPCs, and offer feedback on the characters’ journeys. Jayden’s story, for example, will be presented at a local youth shelter, where young people facing similar challenges will have the opportunity to contribute their insights.
Zines created during the workshops will also be available at the final community conference, where the game will be unveiled. Participants will have the chance to share their zines, contribute to the game’s development, and engage in conversations about how storytelling can drive social change.
Get Involved:
The game will culminate in a community conference on May 18, 2024, where the final version of the game will be unveiled. The conference will feature panel discussions, presentations by contributors, and the opportunity for attendees to play the game and provide feedback. This is a chance for the community to engage in meaningful dialogue about the issues raised in the game and to celebrate the power of storytelling in inspiring change.
We are actively seeking sponsorship for this important project! By sponsoring "Storytelling for Social Change", your organization will play a key role in supporting the creation of an educational tool that amplifies marginalized voices and encourages systemic change. Sponsorship will provide your organization with visibility at the conference and throughout the development of the game, and you’ll be directly contributing to a project that is dedicated to promoting empathy and understanding in our community.
If you or your organization is interested in supporting this project as a sponsor, please reach out to us at Randall@Queerlective.com for more details on sponsorship opportunities.
This project is supported by funding from the following partners:
