Game Making and the History and Self-conception of Vehicle Dwelling

 

As economic extremity pushes many Americans to seek alternative housing in vehicles, some vehicle-dwelling populations have used social media and the formation of commodity consumption communities to shift public perception of "van life" from unhoused into an aspirational lifestyle. We will explore the history of vehicle dwelling by examining historical literary depictions, demographics, and the self-conception of the affected populations. After identifying distinct groups of vehicle dwellers and their unique methods of community building, Stephanie will outline my process creating and testing a player-directed game designed to allow players to embody the experiences of stressors vehicle dwellers described, emphasizing community building and collaboration amongst players.