An Empty Room

This is a short, reflective game about the mixed emotions that come with watching a child grow up and leave home. It’s a moment that can feel heartbreakingly sad and profoundly proud all at once — the ache of letting go balanced by the joy of seeing them ready to begin a new journey.

I made this for Emotionally Loaded Game Jam #2 shortly after helping my own daughter pack and leave for college. Sorting through her room, helping her decide what to take and what to leave behind, became the inspiration for the game.

It’s a small fictionalized story about memories, love, and the quiet moments between holding on and moving forward.

You play as a parent taking a final look around your child’s room, before carrying out the last moving box. As you sort through what’s left in the room, you’ll decide which memories to include — and which to leave behind.

How to Play

• Look Around: Move the mouse to look around the room.  Click on highlighted objects to revisit their memories.

• Move: Click on the floor to walk to that spot.

• Pack: Choose three items to place in the box before leaving the room.

• Advance Dialog: Click the mouse to progress through conversations and reflections.

Development info

The following assets were used for development:

• City People
  
• Synty
• Beautify
• Total Music Collection

NOTE: This game is best experienced using the Chrome browser, and may not load properly in other browsers.