Coming of Age is a short, narrative-based visual novel game that takes players on a fantastical journey with a group of diverse older adults. Based on my own experiences working with older adults in memory care and research on the American aging crisis, the game and its narrative act as a counter to age-based stereotypes and erasures that aid in causing real world harm to generations both aged and aging. By giving the audience agency over the story, the game means to push audiences, young and old alike, to engage with new representations of older adults that aim to deconstruct the negative stereotypes of illness, disability, and age as they are seen in current popular media. For those interested, Coming of Age will soon be available for play at cassidycarpenter.com.
