Dev Log 1 - Conducting Research for Game Design

[Semester 1: Weeks 3 - 4]
This is the first in a series of devlogs chronicling development on my latest college game project. 

This project in question is a serious game based on one of the topics that were provided to us by our professor. Among the topics provided was housing insecurity. With the topic selected, we were given a research report in which we had to gather several sources related to our topic and record our findings. An integral part of the report is giving a summary of our findings and recommending ways in which they could inform the design of a game based on the topic.

I had initially wanted to research the topic of healthcare. Specifically mental health care and exploring how services like therapy could be made more accessible to those who struggled with anxiety or communication. Being so broad a topic however, I turned to housing insecurity which was equally meaningful to me. For many, being able to afford an apartment, lent alone a standalone home, is an unattainable dream. For many others, finding shelter is even more difficult. This was an opportunity to explore the root causes of the housing crisis and take a look at the solutions currently being workshopped in this country. 

The primary focus appears to be on trying to meet construction demands in order to maintain prices. Technologies like modular construction kits are being employed in some areas to reduce build times at the cost of additional expenses. This is also done for the purposes of drawing more labour into construction as it currently faces shortages. Others are focusing on upzoning cities to increase housing density. In other areas, the focus is more on co-op housing to provide rent opportunities for those unable to compete with privatized rental prices. These average rent prices  nearly exceed the monthly income earned from minimum wage in many cities such as Toronto. 

With a heavy emphasis on construction and city planning, I figured a city builder would be the best way to translate these concepts into a game environment. The intention is to explain each solution in simple terms, demonstrate their impact within a shorter time scale, and use narrative to breed empathy for our fellow community members. A game such as this could inspire Canadians to push for change in their own communities, making living more affordable for us all.