The Day the Laughter Stopped

The Day the Laughter Stopped is an interactive experience consisting solely of text and sound, dealing with a very serious subject. It centres on the rape of a young girl. The victim’s plight is brought to life in a deeply moving way. There is just one gameplay twist: at certain points in the story, some choices are only seemingly available. The narrative is supported by a sparse soundtrack that creates an atmosphere of mounting unease. Using minimal resources and with no barriers to entry, the game inevitably sparks discussion, as evidenced by the reactions online since its release. The game is a one-man project, created in just 24 hours as part of a development competition, and it made a lasting impression on the jury.

The DCP Jury 2014