My Project Thoughts

My initial idea so far

So at the moment I have been researching online about the use of Mental Health in games. I have been focusing on the horror theme as this is the theme I wish to pursue. I have discovered that there are a lot of people who do not like how games depict mental illness. Many feel that when mental illness is used in a game, it is blown out of proportion and used as a scare tactic. Clearly this has been the basis of many horror games and has in fact worked. Such examples as 'Outlast' which is were you play a reporter who ends up exploring a Mental Asylum. This is a terrifying game however for many people; its scary for he wrong reasons. They believe that exploiting individuals with mental illness and portraying them as 'crazy' and 'insane' with some sort of drive to kill is unethical. In my opinion, I can see where they are coming from. They make valid points which I will use to help to mold my final project however being a fan of horror games and games in general, I can see, and agree with parts of, the other side of the argument.
Sometimes critiques and the general public over analyse various things, especially in films and games. It's unfair to say certain games/films portray the realism of various life events and lifestyles as after all, they are only films/games mainly used for entertainment. Hit TV show '24' has received numerous complaints for its use of torture (conveying that the government use it as an interrogation technique). http://www.nytimes.com/2005/05/22/arts/television/22gree.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0
I find this very annoying. It is merely a tv show and they have there reasons for using it within the show which, in all honesty, seem understandable (in the circumstances).
So for games, of course there will be complaints of violence, gore etc but also there is the act of exploiting those who are different which relates to this mental health issue. I empathize towards that but i also agree that Asylums can make a scary atmosphere all due to the unknown factor of what they were truly like, hence why i am looking to combine the two issues in my project for a truly unique outcome.

So for my project I am looking to help the user/player emphasis with those who have a mental illness. Obviously i am at the early planning and development stage but i want to create a 3D environment that the player explores. I want to set it in an Asylum but show the historical transformation of Asylums through exploration. I would also like to incorporate the idea that the player has some sort of mental illness and this illness is represent whilst exploring the map. I am hoping to achieve empaty for the character/player and to help create a better understanding and raise awareness for mental health.