Ninja Theory has released a gameplay trailer for Hellblade and revealed that its key themes are mental health and psychosis. The game is partially supported by the Wellcome Trust, a charitable foundation
Inspired by historical events, Hellblade will follow the tale of Senua, a Celtic warrior left traumatised by a Viking invasion. The events of the third-person action game will follow Senua's journey into a vision of Hell that's a manifestation of her own mental illness.
With such a sensitive subject at the core of the game, the studio has enlisted the help of a Psychiatrist and Professor of Health Neuroscience from the University of Cambridge, Paul Fletcher, as well as individuals who have experienced mental health issues themselves. The team hopes the stigma surrounding mental illness can be challenged with Hellblade, encouraging more people to seek help if they need it.
“True understanding of mental health is not simply about books, lectures or verbal descriptions but from deeper engagement on all levels," said Fletcher. "Working with Ninja Theory has shown me the potential that gaming has for sharing in a character's experiences and engendering empathy in ways that go well beyond those offered by simple academic descriptions. Maybe this approach will contribute powerful new ways of challenging stigma.”
It will be interesting to see how that is integrated into the game and if it actually ends up working
What do you think SW?
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