Sprout is a game-like object for young adults experiencing stress and anxiety, to use as a safe haven and a connection point for them to share and support each other.

Separated in two stages, the game mechanics revolve around players nurturing a plant in a virtual garden. Players focus their efforts on individually nurturing a plant, by doing certain actions to promote the growth and wellness of this one, while also using this space and the game mechanics to decompress and find calmness. During the second stage of the game, the option to communicate with other players opens up. Both asynchronous and direct communication are made possible in different parts of the game.

Being a short gaming experience, the game culminates with the opportunity to have a 5 minute conversation with another player. By limiting the conversation time and working as an anonymous chat room, Sprout allows players to discuss personal topics and value the fleeting nature of their conversations. The game focuses on creating a community based on support and mutual care, without the necessity of forming long lasting bonds.

Sprout is an exploration project that focuses on understanding the qualities and boundaries of video games, and proposes a new direction towards positive and diverse community driven short games. While the video game industry is ever growing, it is important to explore and reconsider how these experiences are designed and how its unique language and iterative feedback loops can be used to build experiences that help players in their complex lives.