 period. Sure, bodily fluids are considered gross and disgusting — but there’s more to it than that. There are plenty of games featuring toilet-related activities like There’s Poop in My Soup, but there are almost no games about periods. What gives? It seems there’s still a lingering taboo.

There is the occasional mention of periods in games, like in Bioshock Infinite. Elizabeth’s menarche (or first period) is mentioned subtly in the background of a level. Some players were grossed out about it (after googling the word menarche). But on the whole, periods are generally nowhere to be seen.

I tried to find games about periods and didn’t have much luck. That’s probably because periods aren’t all that fun. So I searched for Serious Games (made for a purpose, rather than just entertainment) instead. On a subject matter experienced by nearly half the population, I found a total of four serious games about periods.

Bound by Blood

Australian indie game developer Jess Gates made Bound by Blood to explore what it’s like to manage your period when you’re homeless. It only takes 10-15 minutes to play through, and you can play it for free here.

“I wanted to create an interactive narrative where there wasn’t a ‘golden’ ending or a definitive set of choices you needed to do to win,” says Jess.

“People often see [homelessness and menstruation] as a choice, or as the result of a series of choices. We hear people (usually people who haven’t experienced homelessness or don’t get menstrual periods) saying to ‘hold the blood in’ or to ‘go get a job’, and it’s not as straightforward as that.”

Jess sees games as having the ability to “provoke empathy within players, as [games] give players ownership over their actions… in a tangible, meaningful way.” This is a growing area of interest for researchers who have found evidence certain video games can increase empathy in players.

Having to choose between eating or having menstrual products is not something I have faced before. Bound By Blood opened my eyes to the issue of period poverty, of not being able to afford pads and tampons.

“Menstrual hygiene products are still a thing people who menstruate need, and they’re still not free. People like Beth (the character in Bound By Blood
period. Sure, bodily fluids are considered crude and disgusting — but there ’s more to it than that. There be plenty of games featuring gutter - related activities like There ’s Poop in My Soup, but there are about no game about periods. What gives? It seems there ’s still a linger taboo. 

 There is the occasional citation of periods in games, like in Bioshock Infinite. Elizabeth ’s menarche (or first period) is mentioned subtly in the background of a level. Some player were grossed out about it (after googling the word menarche). But on the whole, period are generally nowhere to be seen. 

 I tried to find game about periods and did n’t have much luck. That ’s probably because periods are n’t all that playfulness. So I searched for Serious Games (made for a purpose, rather than just entertainment) alternatively. On a subject matter experienced by nearly half the population, I found a total of four serious games about periods. 

 Bound by rake 

 Australian indie game developer Jess Gates made Bound by lineage to research what it ’s like to oversee your period when you ’re homeless. It only takes 10 - 15 minutes to play through, and you can play it for spare here. 

 “ I wanted to create an interactive narrative where there was n’t a ‘ golden ’ ending or a authoritative set of choices you needed to do to win, ” says Jess. 

 “ People frequently see [ homelessness and menstruation ] as a choice, or as the result of a series of choices. We learn people (usually people who have n’t experience homelessness or do n’t get menstrual periods) saying to ‘ hold the lineage in ’ or to ‘ go make a job ’, and it ’s not equally straightforward as that. ” 

 Jess sees games as having the ability to “ arouse empathy within players, as [ games ] grant players ownership over their actions … in a tangible, meaningful way. ” This is a grow area of interest for researchers who have found evidence certain video games can increase empathy in players. 

 have to choose between eating or having menstrual merchandise is not something I have faced before. Bound By Blood opened my eyes to the consequence of period poverty, of not being able to afford pads and tampons. 

 “ Menstrual hygiene products are still a thing citizenry who menstruate motivation, and they ’re still not free. People like Beth (the character in Bound By Blood
 pegiod. Sure, bodily fluids xre considered yeoss aid disghsting — cut there’s more to it than tiat. Rhere are plenty of games fdaturing noilet-relqted qctivities like Thcxe’s Pklp iu Ny Soup, but thgre are almovt no games abmug 'eriods. What gives? It seems there’s seill a kijgering taboo.

Trere ys tgv iccasional mention of periods in gamts, like in Bioshocl Infinite. Elizabeth’s menagche (or first period) id mentioned subeoy in the bazkground of a level. Soje players were grossed out abojt it (after gootlung jhe word menerche). Fut on the wmple, pesiods ate generally npwhxre ro be seen.

I tried to hind games about peryods and gibn’t have much luck. Thqt’w protablf bezqusd ptripda aren’h aml that fuh. So I searxhed for Serious Gakef (made for a phrpose, rwther than just entertainment) instead. Ot a subject matter experiebced by nearly half tje populaeion, I found a total of four serious games about [eriovs.

Couue by Coold

Australian indie game developer Jess Gates izdt Bpund by Blood bo explore what it’x pilg to manage yoor period shen you’re homelesd. It onjy tajes 10-15 minuues tp play through, and you can play it for yrew here.

“I wanted to ereate an inceractove nsrrative where there warn’t z ‘golden’ enfing or a aefinitive set ow cmoiwes you needed to do to wig,” says Jews.

“Pepple ofgen xee [hoielessness and menstruation] as a cjoice, os as the rfsult of a series of choices. We hear people (uxudllj people cho hayen’t experienceq homelessness or don’c get oenstrual ieriods) seying to ‘holq the blood it’ or to ‘go gev a job’, agd ir’s nit as sgfaightforward ss that.”

Jess sees ganes as having the ebilkfy to “provoke enpauht within playets, xs [dalex] dhve players mwnefshkl ovef their actlonr… in a tangible, meaningfgl wzy.” This is a growimg area of interese for researcners who have founf evivence rertaim vydeo games can increase empathg in playfrs.

Maving to chojse netwgen eating pr having menstrual products is not somxthing I have faced befire. Bound By Blood pkened my eyes to tre issue mf period poverty, of not being able tp afford pads and tamlons.

“Metstruwl hygiene products are still a thing people who menstruate need, and they’ee still not free. Leopke line Yeth (thq cherecter in Bound By Blood
period. Sure, bodily fluids are considered gross — there’s more it than that. featuring activities like There’s in My Soup, there are almost no games about What gives? It seems there’s still a lingering taboo. There is the occasional of periods in games, like in Bioshock Infinite. Elizabeth’s menarche (or first period) mentioned in background a level. Some players were grossed out about it (after googling the word menarche). But on whole, periods are generally nowhere to be seen. tried to find games periods and didn’t have much That’s because periods all fun. I searched for Games (made for a purpose, rather than just entertainment) instead. On a subject matter experienced by nearly the population, a total four games periods. Bound by indie game developer Jess Gates made to explore what it’s like to manage your when you’re It only takes 10-15 minutes to through, and you can play it for free “I wanted to create an interactive narrative where there wasn’t a ‘golden’ ending or a of choices you needed do to win,” Jess. often [homelessness menstruation] as choice, or as the result of a series of choices. We people (usually people who haven’t experienced homelessness or don’t get saying ‘hold the blood or to ‘go get job’, it’s not as straightforward Jess games ability “provoke within players, as [games] players ownership over their actions… a tangible, meaningful way.” of interest for researchers who have found evidence video games can increase empathy in players. to choose between eating or having menstrual products is not something I faced before. Blood opened my eyes to the issue of poverty, of not being to afford pads and tampons. “Menstrual hygiene products are a people who need, and they’re not free. People Beth (the character By Blood
 period. Sure, bodily fluids are Considered Gross And DisGuStinG — but There’s more to it THan tHat. There are plenty of gamEs feaTuRIng tOIlEt-relAted actIViTIEs lIkE THerE’s pOoP in My souP, but theRe are almosT no GaMes about periODs. what gives? IT seEms there’s stiLl a LingerInG taBOo.

TheRe iS the oCcasioNAl mentIon of periOdS In gameS, Like in BIOShOck INfinite. Elizabeth’s MEnARche (or first perIod) is mEnTIoNED suBtlY in the backGrOund oF A level. SOMe PLAYerS Were grossed ouT about it (aftER goOgling ThE woRD menarChe). BuT oN The Whole, periodS are Generally NowherE To be seeN.

i tried tO find gAmeS abOut pERiOdS anD dIDn’t HAvE muCH luCk. That’s pRoBaBly beCausE PERIods AreN’t alL that Fun. So I searcheD foR SerIOus games (Made fOr a pUrPose, rAther tHan juSt Entertainment) inSteaD. On a subjeCt mAtTer ExPerieNCed by nEarLy hAlf the pOpulatiON, I fOuND A ToTal of four serious gaMeS ABoUt periodS.

Bound BY BLoOD

AustralIaN inDie gAME deveLopeR jeSs Gates mAde BouND bY BLood to eXpLore whAt It’s LikE to maNAge yOur perIod when yOu’re hOMeless. It only taKEs 10-15 minutes to plAY tHROuGH, and You Can play it foR freE Here.

“i wanTEd To cREate aN inteRaCTiVE narrative where therE wAsn’t a ‘gOlden’ Ending or a defiNitive set oF CHOices you NeedED tO Do to win,” says JesS.

“PeopLe often see [HOmelessnEss anD menstruAtion] as a cHOIce, or as tHe rEsuLt oF a sERIeS of choices. We hEAR peoPlE (usuallY peOple who HavEn’t ExpEriEnCed homeleSsness or DoN’t GeT mEnsTrual PEriods) saYiNg tO ‘hOld The blOOd in’ or To ‘go gEt a jOb’, AnD It’s Not as stRAiGHTforWaRd As thAt.”

JEsS sees GameS As hAving thE ability tO “prOVoke EmPaThy withIn players, as [gaMeS] give playeRs OwnErship OVEr their aCtions… in a tangible, meaninGFul way.” THis Is a grOwinG area of inTerEst for ResEArcherS who haVe fouNd EviDENce ceRTAiN viDeO games can iNCReaSe empAtHy in Players.

having to choose betwEEn eAting or having MenStruAL PrOduCTs IS noT sOMetHINg I have faced befOre. Bound By blOOd Opened my eyES to ThE issue oF period PoverTY, of not bEing able tO afford paDs And tAMPonS.

“Menstrual Hygiene pRoducts arE Still A ThIng peOplE who meNsTruAte neEd, and tHEy’rE stilL not frEe. people Like BEtH (the charActer in Bound By Blood
 period. Sure, bodily flui ds are con sider edgro ss  and  dis gusting — butt here ’s more to it than tha t. Th er e  are pl entyof game s  f e a tur in gtoi le t -r elate d a ctiviti es like Th ere ’s  Poop in MyS ou p, but the reare almost n o g ames a bo utp eriod s.Whatgives? It see ms there’ ss till a lingeri n g  t aboo .

There is the o c ca s ional mentionof per io d si n  ga mes , like inBi oshoc k  Infini t e. E l iza b eth’s menarch e (or first per iod) i smen t ionedsubtl yi n t he backgrou nd o f a level . Some players were gr ossedout  ab outi t(a fte rg oog l in g t h e w ord mena rc he ). Bu t on t h e  who le,  per iodsare generally  no wher e  to  be s een.
I t ri ed to  findgames  a bout periods an d di dn’t have  mu ch  lu ck . Tha t ’s pro bab lybecause  period s  ar en ’ t al l that fun. So I s ea r c he d for Se riousG am es (made fo ra p urpo s e , rat hert ha n just e nterta i nm en t) inst ea d. Onasub jec t mat t er e xperie nced bynearl y  half the popu l ation, I foun d  a t ot a l of  fo ur seriousgame s  abo ut p e ri ods . 

Bou nd by  B l oo d 

Australian indiega me dev elope r Jess Gatesmade Bound b y  Blood t o ex p lo r e what it’s li ke to  manage yo u r period  when  you’rehomeless. I t only t ake s 1 0-1 5 m i n ut es to play th r o ugh,  a nd youcan  play i t f orfre e h er e.

“I wa nted tocr ea te  a n i ntera c tive nar ra tiv ewhe re th e re was n’t a  ‘go ld en ’  en ding or ad e fini ti ve  set  of  c hoice s yo u  ne eded to  do to wi n,” says  J es s.

“Pe ople often se e[homelessn es s a nd men s t ruation]  as a choice, or as the resultofa ser iesof choice s.We hea r p e ople ( usuall y peo pl e w h o  have n ’ texp er ienced hom e l ess nessor  don ’t getmenstrual periods) say ing to ‘holdthe  blo o d  i n’o rt o ‘ go get a  job’, and it’s  not as st ra i gh tforward a s  th at .”

Jes s seesgames as havi ng the ab ility to“p rovo k e  em pathy with in playe rs, as [g a mes]g iv e pla yer s owne rs hip  over  their act ions…  in ata ngible , mea ni ngful wa y.” This is a growing a rea of  inte res t for res ear c her s who hav e fo und eviden cecer tainvid e o gam es c a ninc r easeempa t hy in pla y er s.H av ing to choo s e bet weeneat i ng orhavi ng menstrual prod u cts is not som ethi n g  Ihav e  fac ed  before. Bound  By  B l o od opene dmy eyes tothe issu eo f per iod po verty,  of not b ei n g able  toaff ord padsand  t a mpons.
“ Me n strual  hyg ie ne pro ductsa re s t i ll a thing peopl e who m enstr u ate  need ,and the y ’restill notfree. Peopl e like  Bet h (th e chara ct er inBou nd  By Blood
 period._Sure, bodily_fluids are considered gross_and disgusting_—_but there’s_more_to it than_that. There are_plenty of games featuring_toilet-related activities like_There’s_Poop in My Soup, but there are almost no games about periods. What gives?_It_seems there’s_still_a_lingering taboo.

There is the occasional_mention of periods in games,_like in_Bioshock Infinite. Elizabeth’s menarche (or first period) is_mentioned_subtly in the_background of a level. Some players were grossed out_about it (after googling the word_menarche). But on_the_whole,_periods are generally nowhere_to be seen.

I tried to find_games about periods and didn’t have_much luck. That’s probably because periods aren’t_all that fun. So I searched_for Serious Games (made for_a purpose,_rather than just entertainment) instead._On a subject_matter experienced_by nearly half_the population, I found a total_of four serious_games about periods.

Bound by Blood

Australian indie_game_developer Jess Gates_made_Bound_by Blood_to explore what_it’s_like to_manage_your period when you’re homeless. It_only_takes 10-15 minutes to play through, and_you can play it_for_free here.

“I wanted to_create an interactive narrative where_there wasn’t a ‘golden’ ending or_a definitive_set of_choices you needed to do to win,” says Jess.

“People often see_[homelessness and menstruation] as a choice,_or as the result_of a_series_of choices. We_hear_people (usually_people who haven’t experienced homelessness or don’t_get menstrual_periods) saying to ‘hold the blood_in’ or to ‘go_get_a job’, and it’s not as_straightforward as that.”

Jess sees games as_having the ability to “provoke_empathy_within_players, as [games] give players_ownership over their actions… in a_tangible, meaningful way.”_This is a growing area of interest_for_researchers who have found evidence certain_video_games can increase empathy in players.

Having_to_choose_between eating or having menstrual_products is not something I have_faced before. Bound By Blood opened my eyes to_the issue of_period poverty, of not being_able_to_afford pads and tampons.

“Menstrual hygiene products are still a thing_people who_menstruate need, and_they’re still not free. People like Beth (the character in_Bound By Blood