On its 10-year anniversary, creator Sam Barlow reflects on how his game, Her Story, intricately weaves his familial influences into a narrative about a woman accused of murder. Barlow shares his realization that the game's protagonist's journey parallels his own explorations of his grandmothers' identities, overshadowed by societal expectations. He recalls feeling regret for not learning more about their lives. The game's lasting impact lies in its ambiguity, sparking discussions among players about the mysteries surrounding its characters, Eve and Hannah, thus generating a rich community of interpretation and analysis.
I remember just feeling really dumb that I'd never [asked], I'd love to sit down now and just ask her about all the other stuff she'd done in her life. "I wish I had an hour to sit down and interrogate her."
Its subtext draws not just on Barlow's family, but also on real-life criminals, unfairness in the justice system, women's rights in the 20th century, and fairytales.
The enduring legacy of Her Story, at least for some players, is its ambiguity: the frantic multiplying of Reddit, Steam, and forum threads debating what really happened to Eve and Hannah.
Barlow's maternal grandmother had been a glamorous singer, but he'd only known her as a 'Northern English matriarch, big cuddly nana.'
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