i am not your friend

 i am not your friend  reflects on my personal encounters with bullying and feelings of isolation in elementary, middle, and high school. This 5-10 minute long game takes you through continual rejection in a school setting and the confusing experience of one's first panic attack, framed through the metaphor of a glitching computer. By making this game, I wanted to take charge of the experiences that I've let control me and create something meaningful for others. When feeling alone or misunderstood, even small things can make us break. We must take care of ourselves: no just to "feel better," but to live.

Message me on Instagram (@exhausted.boi) if you wanna share your thoughts on the game, learn more about Bitsy, need help, or wanna chat!

CONTROLS: Use the arrow keys on your keyboard to control your avatar. Interactions with characters with exclamation points [!] above their heads progress the story forward. 

CONTENT WARNING: Though the game mirrors real events, it is still entirely fictional.  I will warn that certain situations in the game have the potential to be triggering based on your personal experiences with bullying, anxiety, panic attacks, etc. There is a happy ending though :)

This game would not have been remotely possible without the help and/or use of Bitsy by Adam le Doux, the Bitsy Discord Server, the Bitsy Hacks Repo, the Bitsy hacks:

• dialog choices, dialog jump, long dialog, avatar by room, & transparent sprites by Sean S. LeBlanc
• bitsymuse by David Mowat
  

And Beepbox by John Nesky (@shaktool), used to make the game's original song. I would also like to thank Delight (@doctorstrass), who worked with me on the game's music, and Sheila Heti's novel Pure Colour, which is quoted in the game and helped me form the message I wanted to share.

KNOWN BUGS: There is a very small visual glitch in a level 6 text-box that I am trying to fix. Because it does not impact gameplay at all, I'm releasing the game with the bug.

In dedication to and remembrance of Ms. Bazz: Feeling safe and supported as a queer kid in one's school environment is so important. Thank you for fostering a community for and celebrating me and every other LGBTQ student that walked through your doors.  

Download the game's original song "mechanical pencil" below! There is also a downloadable strategy guide if you get stuck. I hope you enjoy i am not your friend, but please remember that I am your friend :)