The digital game is set to be released at the end of 2026. Players take on the role of a young woman who asks her grandmother about her family’s history, confronting the memory world of the war children’s generation. The central question is to what extent family members were involved in the Nazi “euthanasia” crimes. However, the grandmother is reluctant to share her memories, and what she does reveal is distorted and fragmented.
The players' task will be to persuade the grandmother to speak about the silenced past, while simultaneously questioning her narratives. Along the way, they will learn how the long-term psychological effects of the Nazi era can continue to shape families up to the present day. The digital game “Meine Oma (88)” shifts the focus from a purely historical perspective on National Socialism to an exploration of transgenerational memory.
Innovative game design and expertise in memory culture
The digital game is being developed by the Memorial and ROTxBLAU in a participatory process that fuses innovative game design with expertise in memory culture. The Memorial ensures the historical accuracy of the game and supports the development process with an educational programme focused on family history. In various workshop formats, the Memorial guides young people in exploring their own family histories. Their personal experiences serve as key inspiration for the development of the game's storyline. At the same time, they act as testers for the game, providing feedback on game design and mechanics. The game will be a non-linear exploration adventure aimed at individuals aged around 16 and above, regardless of their educational background. It will be available on all major gaming platforms.