Abertay University staff and students develop games that shed light on the challenges women and girls face in society

Games developed at Abertay University that explore the diverse aspects of the female lived experience were showcased at a special event marking the 16 Days of Activism campaign. 

Titled “16 Days: Game On,” the event was held at Cake or Dice, located in the city centre of Dundee, on Friday 6 December 2024. The event was organised by Cake or Dice and Dundee Women’s Aid with support from NEoN Digital Arts, the Women’s Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre (WRASAC) and Abertay Game Lab. 

The event also celebrated the 50th anniversary of Dundee Women’s Aid and the 40th anniversary of WRASAC. 

During the event, two Abertay students showcased video games designed to raise awareness of issues affecting women's everyday lives. 

Alice Kerr, a fourth-year student on Abertay’s Games Design and Production programme, displayed “Period Sis,” a light-hearted yet thought-provoking series of mini-games that explore the realities of living with menstrual cycles. Using humour, the game seeks to bring attention to challenges in women's health that are often overlooked.  

Alice said: 

Women’s health issues are not taken seriously enough. Through discussions with friends, I found a shared sentiment that periods can be dreadful, and that laughter often becomes essential as a coping mechanism. Participating in the 16 Days of Activism is crucial because there remains so much to address. I constantly hear new accounts of women affected by violence, and it is only through collective action that these issues can be tackled.

Fourth-year student Sofia Maior presented "Observed," a collection of vignettes that explores the experience of women feeling persistently watched and judged. The game aims to evoke discomfort and raise awareness of the prevalence of this phenomenon. 

Sofia said: 

I think it's always been the case that women have had to deal with scrutiny and judgement based on how they look, how they act, how they talk, and so on. The double standards may seem insignificant to some, but they dictate our behaviours as women. It’s important for us a society to be reminded of this invisible struggle from time to time with the hopes that something will change. This is a great opportunity to show how games can bring people together, allow us to tell our stories and raise awareness.

Dr Mona Bozdog of Abertay’s Department of Games and Arts also presented “Right 2 Roam” at the event, an educational board game she co-designed to raise awareness about safety concerns encountered by women and marginalised groups.  

Combining elements of gaming, storytelling, and advocacy, the game employs deliberately imbalanced mechanics to reflect the inequities and fears associated with walking alone at night. Players navigate various scenario cards that present differing threat levels and safety while traversing routes and spaces.  

Dr Bozdog said: 

For many women, walking alone at night can be fraught with apprehension. We sought to create a platform that sparks dialogue surrounding women’s safety and gender equality, offering players deeper insight into the tough decisions women face, whether they are heading to the store or visiting a friend.

The 16 Days campaign is a global initiative that challenges violence against women and girls, running annually from 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, through to 10 December, Human Rights Day. This year’s theme for Dundee is “Imagine if Dundee Said No More.”