My Child: New Beginnings – Interview with Catharina Bøhler

At gamescom this year, I had the incredible opportunity to meet Catharina Bøhler, one of the creative minds behind the much anticipated game “My Child: New Beginnings”. From our interview, it was clear that this isn’t just another game, it’s a deeply personal journey, one that explores the challenges, joys, and complexities of guiding a child into a new chapter of life. With its heartfelt storytelling and unique gameplay, „My Child: New Beginnings“ promises to captivate players long after the first session. Here’s what I discovered when I got a closer look at the world that they have brought to life.

Hoi Wan Chan: „What’s your name?“

Catharina Bøhler: „My name is Catharina Bøhler.“

Hoi Wan Chan: „So your game “My Child: New Beginnings” is about children suffering Trauma. Is there a main reason why you created this Game?“

Catharina Bøhler: „Yes, so this is the follow up to the game “My Child Lebensborn”, to talk about children born in war in Norway. And so, through that game there is a lot of traumatising things happening, one of them being heavily bullied and when we saw that the players care so much for the child that, when the game is over, they want to keep taking care of the child. Thats why we decided to make a follow up, where you actually get to move away from the terrible place and you now have to work through the trauma that the child experienced.“

Hoi Wan Chan: „When does the game launch?“

Catharina Bøhler: „It launches on 20th November this year.“

Hoi Wan Chan: „Will it be available on Steam, mobile phone or something else?“

Catharina Bøhler: „So first, it will be available on Android and iOS, that means mobile.Than maybe in a year or half a year we can go to PC and Switch.“

Hoi Wan Chan: „How long did it take you guys to develop this game?“

Catharina Bøhler: „This game has been on development on and off for about 5 years now.“

Hoi Wan Chan: „That is a crazy long time. How many people worked on it?“

Catharina Bøhler: „We are twelve people.“

Hoi Wan Chan: „That’s great, is it like a friend group or something like a university student group?“

Catharina Bøhler: „No, we started that company together and this company has been going for 15 years now. But it started straight from school and we wanted to develop games that have emotional impact.“

Hoi Wan Chan: „An important message! Is there anything you would like to tell the readers?“

Catharina Bøhler : „Yeah. Maybe something like that it’s really good, what is happening in the game industry right now, of games trying to explore different emotions and different topics and encourage people to look for games that do so, because there are great things out there.“

Hoi Wan Chan: „Okay, thank you, it was nice meeting you and thank you for your time!“

I believe “My Child: New Beginnings” is a game that more people should try. The demo is already available. People should try it because it offers an experience that feels deeply personal and emotionally rich, unlike anything most traditional games provide. From the moment you start, it draws you into the delicate, often complicated relationship between a caregiver and a child, and challenges you to navigate real-life issues with empathy, patience, and thoughtfulness. Every decision you make, whether it’s about discipline, encouragement, or simply how you spend your time, shapes the child’s development and emotional world, creating a gameplay experience that feels both impactful and intimate. What makes this game truly remarkable is its ability to combine storytelling, interactive choices, and artful design, to make the player feel like an active participant in someone else’s life, rather than just an observer. The visuals and sound design complement the narrative perfectly, evoking genuine emotions like joy, frustration, hope, and even heartbreak. Beyond just being fun, “My Child: New Beginnings” encourages reflection, empathy, and understanding, making it a game, that resonates on a human level and reminds players of the complexities of growing up. For anyone who enjoys meaningful stories, character-driven experiences, or simply wants to experience a game, that challenges both your heart and mind, this title is an absolute must-play. It’s more than a game, it’s a journey that stays with you, inviting you to reflect on your own relationships and choices long after the screen goes dark.

All images including head picture © Sarepta Studio. Screenshots and artwork provided via the official Steam page for My Child: New Beginnings

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