Charlotte Bergmans

Interactive Digital Narrative
Fostering Empathy for the Homeless

[Academic Project]

– Interactive Storytelling Project 2024,
Master Business Communication and Digital Media

As part of the Interactive Storytelling course in my Master’s program in Business Communication and Digital Media, my team and I developed an interactive digital narrative (IDN) titled Do You See Me?, fitting into the course’s theme A Different Perspective. The story follows a café owner in Belgium who becomes homeless after losing their business and home to urban redevelopment. Players step into the protagonist’s shoes, making choices that shape their experience and highlight the challenges of homelessness, such as invisibility and survival.

Through small acts of kindness from others, the narrative emphasizes the profound impact of compassion. The project aimed to challenge stereotypes about homelessness and inspire players -particularly students new to urban life- to engage more emphatically with homeless individuals.

We conducted an in-depth interview with someone who experienced homelessness and continues to help homeless people. Our work included narrative design, and a pitch presentation. By combining emotional storytelling with meaningful interactivity, we aimed to encourage players to take compassionate actions in their daily lives.

Are you ready to experience life from a different perspective? Play our IDN here.