Otsuka - Storytelling and Empathy-building for ADPKD

Embracing Empathy Through Interactive Gaming

When we were approached to develop an interactive game to evoke empathy among the client’s internal team and sales representatives, we saw an opportunity to deeply impact how people understand and relate to those living with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD). The goal was clear: to foster a genuine connection with the patient’s journey, from diagnosis to disease management and treatment decision-making. Empathy in healthcare leads to higher satisfaction and better health outcomes, and this game was designed to embody that principle.

The essence of the game is not to push players towards the most aggressive form of treatment or disease management but to equip them with the knowledge and confidence needed to make informed decisions. This choose-your-own-adventure style game integrates engaging activities such as drag-and-drop anatomy exercises, word searches, interactive click-to-play effects, slide-to-reveal states, and short animated clips. By navigating through these interactive elements, users gain a comprehensive understanding of ADPKD from the perspectives of three different patients.

E-learning Storyline Landing Page

A Journey Through Three Lenses

As users progress through the game, they encounter various scenarios that illustrate the disease’s progression. Their choices—each reflecting different ways people might respond to the disease—are tracked and translated into wellness and confidence scores. This scoring system underscores that there are no wrong choices, only different pathways reflecting diverse reactions to living with ADPKD.

In a surprising twist, subtly hinted at throughout the game, users discover that the three characters they have been following are related. This revelation not only emphasizes the hereditary nature of ADPKD but also highlights the critical role of social support. These characters were inspired by real conversations with ADPKD patients, offering a rich and authentic narrative.

Character Arcs and Learning

The game’s narrative is woven with character arcs inspired by Aesop’s fables, each designed to help users learn a lesson about managing ADPKD.

Alice, a Type A personality mom, is obsessively dedicated to controlling her disease through an overly health-conscious lifestyle. Her journey teaches her that while the inevitable cannot be avoided, preparation can make the journey more favorable. She learns to balance living in the moment with planning for the future.

Chris, her athletic son with the highest disease progression rate, grapples with anger over his condition. Initially resistant to finding joy or alternatives, Chris’s journey is one of empowerment through knowledge. He learns to set realistic expectations and adapt to his new limitations.

Ben, a spiritual man, seeks guidance and healing through faith. He chooses not to pass the inherited trait to the next generation by not having biological children. He takes life one day at a time, dealing with challenges as they come and learning not to judge others who have different approaches to their disease journey.

The Final Reveal

The culmination of the game reveals the highest-scoring character as a medical liaison for an ADPKD awareness event, supported by the entire family. Alternatively, if a character makes choices to avoid diagnosis and dismiss the possibility of inheriting the disease, the story may end in a medical emergency. This ending underscores the importance of knowledge, proactive management, and social support in the ADPKD journey.

Final Reveal: all three characters are related.

The Project

With Carol Hrejsa as the creative lead and project manager, Body Scientific was tasked with creating the game, overseeing every phase from story drafting to final execution. We collaborated with seasoned game developers, tested the narrative using Twine—a storytelling and interactive HTML publishing tool—and meticulously designed all characters, assets, and scenes. Our experienced e-learning development team ensured the vision was fully realized, publishing a polished SCORM package as the final deliverable.

Development: From Sketch to Final Art

Conclusion

Through this interactive experience, we aim to provide a deeper understanding of ADPKD, fostering empathy and informed decision-making. By walking in the shoes of three unique characters, users can appreciate the varied experiences and challenges faced by those living with this disease. The game is a testament to the power of storytelling and interactive learning in healthcare, ultimately contributing to better patient outcomes and a more empathetic approach to disease management.

If you are interested in serious gaming or e-learning interactive development for your project, contact us at info@bodyscientific.com. We would be delighted to help you bring your idea to life.