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What Is Doki Doki Literature Club? Parents Warned About Horror Video Game After Teen's Death
Parents and teachers have been warned about the potential mental health risks of a cult "visual novel" video game, with one coroner saying it may "trigger suicidal thoughts" in young people.
One father, Darren Walmsley, 49, believes Doki Doki Literature Club, a free-to-play PC title that is presented with a cartoony art style but has overtones of psychological horror, may have contributed to the death of his son Ben earlier this year. Ahead of an inquest into the passing of the child, officials spoke out about the game's subject matter, which includes violence and suicide.
[...] Detective Inspector Jude Holmes, from the Greater Manchester Police, said: "We believe this game is a risk to children and young people, especially those that are emotionally vulnerable and anyone with existing mental health concerns. It's also really important to discuss with your children which games and apps are suitable, and ensure they understand why others aren't appropriate to use."
Cool story, Sherlock.
Doki Doki Literature Club! Wow, there's a Linux version. Time for another Community Review?
Also at NextShark and Manchester Evening News.
(Score: 3, Interesting) by tekk on Saturday June 30 2018, @02:43PM (4 children)
But still no quite there. I've actually got a friend who attempted after playing DDLC. It's not inherent in the game, it's just that any piece of media might be the nudge when you're in a bad place. She sympathized a lot with one particular character when she was in a bad spot, it didn't go well. Media that discusses topics like this would probably be more likely to set you off, but if I'm in that way and I watch Graveyard of the Fireflies that could definitely be a trigger despite it not having themes of suicide at all (though still themes of death I guess.)
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday June 30 2018, @10:11PM (2 children)
Must suck to be a thin-skinned millennial. Our grandparents did OK without safe spaces.
(Score: 1, Insightful) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday June 30 2018, @10:39PM (1 child)
True. But the people back then who didn't do okay without safe spaces never became grandparents.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday July 01 2018, @12:32AM
Darwin approves.
(Score: 2) by darkfeline on Sunday July 01 2018, @10:20PM
Still, you probably shouldn't play it if you're not psychologically healthy, and the game even cautions you about it. No offense to your friend, but she took the Schmuck Bait. Check your SAN points before playing.
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