Ran Ji¹ and Nam Huynh², ¹USA, ²California State Polytechnic University, USA

The Echoes Within is a visual-novel style game designed to educate players about Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) [1]. The game uses branching narratives where players develop different “alters” based on their choices, with each alter influencing available options. This system not only deepens gameplay but also simulates the complexities of DID, encouraging replay for a fuller perspective. To support learning beyond the story, we implemented an integrated AI chatbot [2]. Unlike general-purpose conversational tools, this chatbot is restricted to answering factual questions about DID, reinforcing that the visual novel remains the primary educational component. To evaluate the AI’s reliability, we conducted an experiment with 15 core questions about DID, rating responses on accuracy, clarity, and avoidance of misinformation. Results averaged 4.6/5, confirming high accuracy but highlighting the need for safeguards. Moving forward, we plan to strengthen mechanisms against manipulation, misinformation, and unsafe interactions while exploring tighter integration between narrative flow and AI fact delivery.

Dissociative Identity Disorder, Mental Health Education, Unity Game, ChatGPT