An FMK student speaks openly about mental health and the development of digital games in an interview with Denník N

The young author and student of Digital Game Theory at the Faculty of Media and Communication (FMK) at UCM in Trnava had previously attracted attention with her visual novel *Strawberry Milk*. The game garnered attention not only from players but also from a panel of experts at an international festival in Poland.

“Strawberry Milk is the first game I’ve ever created, so it meant a lot to me. Then I found out that only 16 games out of 133 submissions were nominated, so even that result made me incredibly happy,” Katarína Grúliková explained the success of her work in an interview with Denník N. In the interview, she discussed not only her work but also the themes that shape her.

The interview addresses important topics

In the interview, Katarína not only discusses the development of her game but also the sensitive topics that inspired her. She talks about isolation during the pandemic, feelings of inferiority, and how her decision to remove social media from her life has affected her.

It is precisely these personal experiences that have been incorporated into her game, which reflects the psychological experiences of young people and seeks to convey emotions in a way that is less typical for the gaming medium. Another interesting aspect of the interview is her description of players’ reactions to her work. According to her, some players experienced strong emotions while playing, which the author sees as confirmation that the game can have an impact and spark discussion.

Video Games as a Space for Empathy

In the interview, Katarína also explores the potential of visual novels—a specific type of video game centered on storytelling, decision-making, and emotional experience. She demonstrates that video games need not be merely entertainment, but can also serve as a tool for processing challenging life situations and fostering empathy.

Her project, Strawberry Milk, began as a school assignment but gradually evolved into a work that has reached an international audience. Thanks in part to this, she was nominated at a prestigious student festival in Warsaw. You can read the full interview on the Denník N website.

Katarína’s visibility beyond the FMK highlights that the topics addressed by the faculty’s students have broader social significance. The intersection of the creative industries, game development, and socially significant topics is one of the areas where young creators are able to produce authentic and relevant works.

Photo Credit: Katarína Grúliková