Amity Academy

Barrett Honors Thesis Project: Community- and Relationship-Based Resource Management Video Game

By Meghan Vaughn

     For my creative project thesis, I have designed and developed a video game called Amity Academy.  Amity Academy is a strategic resource management simulator that aims to subvert genre expectations and challenge generally accepted definitions of success and leadership both in-game and in the real world.  It does so by moving the focus away from amassing large amounts of in-game currencies and becoming politically or militarily dominant towards caring for the denizens of the social unit the player controls.  The player acts as an administrator at a school where they must make decisions on how to best run the institution.  Although they are allowed to lead the school however they see fit, the emphasis is on prioritizing strong interpersonal and intracommunity relationships and connections and the wellbeing and happiness of those under their ward.

     Amity Academy is also part of the newly-emerging “wholesome” or “comfy” game genre.  Unlike serious strategy games that can be stressful, Amity Academy presents a self-paced, low-stakes situation.  This mood is further encouraged by calming environmental noises and music, a gentle color palette, and a charming art style.  The game feels domestic and quaint, almost reminiscent of a Jane Wooster Scott or Mary Singleton painting.

Barrett Thesis Committee

Thesis Director: Yoshihiro Kobayashi

Second Committee Member: Jeff Holmes

Barrett, the Honors College, Arizona State University, October 2021