# Fractured Minds

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2017 puzzle role-playing video game

2017 video game

Fractured Minds Developer Emily Mitchell Publisher Wired Productions Producer Emily Mitchell Composer Kai Engel Engine Unity (game engine) Platforms PlayStation 4 Xbox One Microsoft Windows iOS Android Nintendo Switch Release November 14, 2017 Genres Role-playing, puzzle Mode Single-player

***Fractured Minds*** is a [puzzle](/source/Puzzle_video_game) [role-playing video game](/source/Role-playing_video_game) developed by British game designer Emily Mitchell and published by [Wired Productions](/source/Wired_Productions) for [PlayStation 4](/source/PlayStation_4), [Xbox One](/source/Xbox_One), Microsoft Windows, iOS, and [Nintendo Switch](/source/Nintendo_Switch). It was released worldwide in November 14, 2017. Mitchell won a 2017 [British Academy of Film and Television Arts](/source/British_Academy_of_Film_and_Television_Arts) (BAFTA) Award for Game Making for *Fractured Minds*.[1][2]

The Academy described *Fractured Minds* as an "immersive puzzle game" which gives players "genuine insight into the experiences of those [...] living with mental illness -- the feelings of isolation, of being trapped, [and] of everyday situations being distorted beyond recognition".[1] 80% of the proceeds from the sale of Fractured Mind go to Safe In Our World, a charitable group in the video games industry that supports [World Mental Health Day](/source/World_Mental_Health_Day) and provides other services for those living with mental health complications.[3]

## Gameplay

Players take control of a nameless protagonist and progress through six bleak atmospheric chapters, each of which represent a different challenge associated with mental illness, such as isolation, paranoia, and anxiety. [4] Though the experiences portrayed in the game are loosely inspired by real life day-to-day occurrences, the viewpoint character's mental health issues render them disturbing and distorted beyond recognition.[4][5] The viewpoint character progresses through a personal and emotional journey until the resolution of the game.[2]

## Development

Emily Mitchell, a British programmer from [Watford](/source/Watford), [United Kingdom](/source/United_Kingdom) developed the game on her own at the age of 17.[5] She states that the game was inspired by her own battles with anxiety and that her goal was to create a genuine experience that would help more people empathize with those struggling with mental health issues.[5][6] The game was later picked up for distribution by [Wired Productions](/source/Wired_Productions), a game publishing firm also based in Watford.

The game's soundtrack was provided by Russian composer Kai Engel.[4]

## Reception

*[Critical Hit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Critical_Hit&action=edit&redlink=1)* magazine hailed the game as a "concentrated, clever exploration of life with mental illness". [7] Though noting its 'just starting out with game dev' aesthetic, the review praised the game's unnerving atmosphere and deep meaning, comparing it to the psychological horror film *[The Babadook](/source/The_Babadook)*.[7]

The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) praised the game as well, honoring it with its 2017 award for game making.[5][4] BAFTA described it as an "immersive puzzle game" which gives players "genuine insight into the experiences of those [...] living with mental illness—the feelings of isolation, of being trapped, [and] of everyday situations being distorted beyond recognition.[1]

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-BAFTA_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-BAFTA_1-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-BAFTA_1-2) ["EMILY MITCHELL | YOUNG GAME DESIGNER"](http://www.bafta.org/supporting-talent/young-game-designers/emily-mitchell-young-game-designer). 12 December 2017. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20200225005244/http://www.bafta.org/supporting-talent/young-game-designers/emily-mitchell-young-game-designer) from the original on 25 February 2020. Retrieved March 15, 2020.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Beckhelling_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Beckhelling_2-1) Imogen, Beckhelling (November 11, 2019). ["Take a look at Fractured Minds, the mental health-inspired game by 17-year-old BAFTA winner"](https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2019-11-15-take-a-look-at-fractured-minds-the-mental-health-inspired-game-by-17-year-old-bafta-winner). Eurogamer. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20191219113229/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2019-11-15-take-a-look-at-fractured-minds-the-mental-health-inspired-game-by-17-year-old-bafta-winner) from the original on December 19, 2019. Retrieved March 15, 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** Blake, Vikki (October 10, 2019). ["Mental health charity, Safe In Our World, marks World Mental Health Day with the release of new game, Fractured Minds"](https://www.mcvuk.com/business-news/mental-health-charity-safe-in-our-world-marks-world-mental-health-day-with-the-release-of-new-game-fractured-minds/). [MCV/Develop](/source/MCV%2FDevelop). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20200310074202/https://www.mcvuk.com/business-news/mental-health-charity-safe-in-our-world-marks-world-mental-health-day-with-the-release-of-new-game-fractured-minds/) from the original on March 10, 2020. Retrieved March 16, 2020.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Deantak_4-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Deantak_4-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Deantak_4-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-Deantak_4-3) Takahashi, Dean (November 14, 2019). ["17-year-old's Fractured Minds mental health puzzle game debuts on PC and consoles"](https://venturebeat.com/2019/11/14/17-year-olds-fractured-minds-mental-health-puzzle-game-debuts-on-pc-and-consoles/). Venture Beat. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20210511090156/https://venturebeat.com/2019/11/14/17-year-olds-fractured-minds-mental-health-puzzle-game-debuts-on-pc-and-consoles/) from the original on May 11, 2021. Retrieved March 16, 2020.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Cullen_5-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Cullen_5-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Cullen_5-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-Cullen_5-3) Cullen, Stewart (February 28, 2020). ["'BLOWN AWAY' Fractured Minds developer Emily Mitchell on Young Game Designers BAFTA, battle with anxiety and public support"](http://www.bafta.org/games/features/emily-mitchell-ygd-winner-interview). BAFTA. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20200217055114/http://www.bafta.org/games/features/emily-mitchell-ygd-winner-interview) from the original on February 17, 2020. Retrieved March 15, 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Cullen2_6-0)** Cullen, Stewart (February 29, 2020). ["SUPPORT THE CAUSE Fractured Minds is a heart-felt piece of work that is a vital part of the gaming community"](http://www.bafta.org/games/features/emily-mitchell-ygd-winner-interview). Gaming Magazine. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20200217055114/http://www.bafta.org/games/features/emily-mitchell-ygd-winner-interview) from the original on February 17, 2020. Retrieved March 15, 2020.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Adams_7-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Adams_7-1) Adams, Noelle (November 29, 2019). ["Fractured Minds review – A concentrated, clever exploration of life with mental illness"](https://www.criticalhit.net/review/fractured-minds-review-a-concentrated-clever-exploration-of-life-with-mental-illness/). Critical Hit. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20191226140551/https://www.criticalhit.net/review/fractured-minds-review-a-concentrated-clever-exploration-of-life-with-mental-illness/) from the original on December 26, 2019. Retrieved March 15, 2020.

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Fractured Minds](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fractured_Minds) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fractured_Minds?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.