description That Dragon, Cancer Overview
Created by Ryan Green and Josh Larson in 2016, That Dragon, Cancer is an autobiographical video game chronicling a father's experience caring for his terminally ill son, Joel. Through point-and-click exploration and abstract environmental puzzles, the game communicates the emotional realities of medical crises, parental grief, and faith. It is designed as a narrative experience to foster empathy, serving as a digital memorial to its real-life subject.
help That Dragon, Cancer FAQ
Whose story does That Dragon, Cancer tell?
It follows Ryan and Amy Green's experiences caring for their young son Joel during his cancer treatment. The game was developed by their Numinous Games team with Josh Larson and combines remembered events with symbolic scenes.
Why is the game called That Dragon, Cancer?
The title frames Joel's illness as the dragon in a story that the family cannot defeat through ordinary heroics. Christian faith, prayer, anger, helplessness, and grief all shape the narrative.
What kind of gameplay is in That Dragon, Cancer?
It is a short narrative adventure built from exploratory scenes, simple interactions, audio recordings, and abstract imagery rather than combat or puzzles. One especially discussed hospital scene asks the player to comfort the crying Joel without offering a conventional way to win.
Which platforms received That Dragon, Cancer?
Numinous Games released it in 2016 for Windows, macOS, Linux, and Ouya, with later versions for VR devices. Its Ouya connection also helped support the game's crowdfunding and development.
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