HeartRace was originally created as a prototype for a game jam sponsored by the "American Heart Association" (AHA), featuring a -- rather adorable -- sprite firing treatments at her sick friends on a peaceful street. Although the team won the game jam, AHA decided that in order for them to proceed with a full-fledged game, they would need to bring a story into the fray. I happened to jump on board right about that time. With much work, together we managed to form a story that utilized the already existing game mechanics, the talent of our art team, and the expertise that AHA could provide.
Synopsis
You are an Intern of Happy Labs, pioneers of the Medicine Gun, a now-standard instrument created to make the administration of medical help available conveniently to all people.
Unfortunately, although you were a exemplary test-taker, your lack of skill with the Medicine Gun has made it difficult for you to get your license. Your grades were just enough to earn you a chance at redemption: an internship. If you play your cards right, you might get to be a Doctor after all.
Unfortunately, although you were a exemplary test-taker, your lack of skill with the Medicine Gun has made it difficult for you to get your license. Your grades were just enough to earn you a chance at redemption: an internship. If you play your cards right, you might get to be a Doctor after all.
Story Structure
Dr. Cardi, smiling purple-haired mentor to The Intern, has access to all the latest technology to make your life easier. From the Capsule in his Lab you have access to the three cities that you'll need to help, each home to a different set of diseases. Patients who have been prescribed Treatments all gather in the designated "Healing Zone," where The Intern spawns to treat them.
Before the session The Intern has the option to speak to her patients to learn more about their individual ailments, although her medical notebook has relevant details of both diseases and treatments which can be accessed at any point during gameplay. Little does she know that all of the patients she interacts with have diseases that are symptoms or variants of one major disease, which eats away at one seemingly healthy individual as the session continues.
The cities are as follows:
Before the session The Intern has the option to speak to her patients to learn more about their individual ailments, although her medical notebook has relevant details of both diseases and treatments which can be accessed at any point during gameplay. Little does she know that all of the patients she interacts with have diseases that are symptoms or variants of one major disease, which eats away at one seemingly healthy individual as the session continues.
The cities are as follows:
- Howdy Town: Roughly based on Austin, Texas. Home to Dean, a college freshman on a sports scholarship who doesn't realize his poor eating habits can still get him into trouble. He hangs around the Healing Zone to work out and finds The Intern a general nuisance.
- TV City: Roughly based on Los Angeles. Heather, a dedicated dancer, arrives at the Healing Zone with hopes that her insomnia can be cured with meds. Without a prescription though, The Intern is forced to turn her away, until the young woman is seized by a heart attack.
- Little Apple: (still in development) Roughly based on New York, for completely subtle reasons. Swept up by fast-paced city life, Nurse Steven finds solace in salty foods, not knowing that it aggravates his hypertension. Will The Intern notice anything strange about her assistant before it's too late?