From bullied to indie gamedev: How goodwill and good games transformed one person
It's hard to imagine a life without video games. From Tetris to Super Mario Bros, to the indie games of today, games have been there for me through all the good and bad moments of my life. But imagine if someone tried to take that away from you – that would be heartbreaking. Thankfully, this indie gamedev found the strength to pursue her passion, even after years of bullying.
This story is stunning and brave, and I wish I could say it was a rare occurrence. Unfortunately, it happens all too often, and the people who are targeted are often told to “just ignore it” or that “they’ll get over it”. Well, this game developer did get over her struggles, and she proved her bullies wrong with hard work, determination, and talent.
The developer’s name is Elaine, and she’s been working on her first game for the past two years, called “Torn Away”. It’s an adventure game with a cute art style and a mix of different game mechanics. The game has been getting a lot of positive feedback, and it’s highly anticipated.
I wish I had a video of me telling my bullies to fuck off and go cry in the corner, but it’s not that simple.
Elaine shares the story of how she was bullied, and how she turned to games and game development to help her cope with it. She also shares how other developers have helped her along the way, offering support and perspective that are often missing from the gaming industry.
“The support and perspective of someone who has been bullied is valuable,” I agree. I know firsthand what it’s like to be on both sides of this issue. As a victim of bullying based on my ethnicity, I know firsthand how damaging it is to have your ethnicity used against you as an insult. I also know that this is something that absolutely should not exist in schools.
The United States has a lot of work to do when it comes to the issue of bullying and creating a more inclusive environment in our schools. Kids say things they don’t necessarily mean, but there’s a difference between a kid making a mistake and adults targeting someone based on their ethnicity.
Thankfully, Elaine’s story has a happy ending. Despite the negativity and downvoting in the comments (possibly from an incel community), she shares her story as inspiration for others who have also faced similar struggles.
“The game industry attracts a lot of passionate and fun people,” I agree. “Pursuing a career in game development may require sacrifices, but for those with a passion for it, it’s worth it.”
Art, whether games or movies, has the power to heal and inspire. Elaine’s story is a great start to her career, and her game is eagerly awaited. I hope others who have also been through similar circumstances can also find inspiration in her story.
If you’re facing bullying and don’t know where to turn, call the Trevor Project’s 24-hour helpline.
