Alex | Clare’s Escape
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n0seblunt.bsky.social
Alex | Clare’s Escape
@n0seblunt.bsky.social
Creator of www.claresescape.com

Help real-life ‘peasant poet’ John Clare escape from a mental asylum and make his long walk home.

A narrative game exploring poverty, mental health and enclosure in Victorian England.

Working on: The Last Line of Defence
Tokyo Game Show was an event. Check out this massive chocobo
September 27, 2025 at 11:04 AM
But when his wife met him near home, he didn’t recognise her. He was convinced he’d married someone else, and they were alive and waiting. He never fully recovered.

By the end of 1841, he was declared ‘insane’ and committed to the Northampton General Lunatic Asylum

claresescape.com/john-clares-...
July 23, 2025 at 6:10 AM
On this day in 1841 John Clare completed the final leg of his 80 mile walk. He woke delirious with hunger and resorted to eating grass by the side of the road. A coin from a passerby this afternoon enabled the purchase of some bread and cheese.
July 23, 2025 at 5:59 AM
The third day of Clare’s walk home. His account becomes less coherent and more fearful. He feared losing his way again so stuck close to the Great North Road. Exhausted he slept in a ditch by the side of the road.

claresescape.com/john-clares-...
July 22, 2025 at 6:04 AM
In the darkness he tried to find a more secure place to stay but became hopelessly lost. He stumbled across a toll booth where the attendant pointed him northwards again. Reassured that he was on the right track, he slept in a porch somewhere close to St Neots
July 21, 2025 at 6:07 AM
This map from Iain Sinclair’s ‘Edge of the Orison’ shows the likely route (dashed). Around 30 miles of walking
July 20, 2025 at 6:45 AM
Today in 1841 Clare set out from Epping to walk the 80 miles home. Struggling to find the route out of the forest to the Great North Road, he asked for directions at a local pub. Once the road was discovered, he made good progress to Stevenage.

claresescape.com/john-clares-...
July 20, 2025 at 6:34 AM
Trash blows across a bingo carpark. A morris dancer prepares to defend the kingdom.

Good progress on the next game.

#screenshotsunday #gamedev
July 6, 2025 at 8:25 PM
June 17, 2025 at 5:15 AM
At Games Talks Live in Dundee. Getting inspired for the next game
April 2, 2025 at 6:20 PM
Here’s a wee pup to hang out with in Clare’s Escape. #nationalpuppyday
March 23, 2025 at 4:16 PM
Steam Achievements added! A productive evening of scowling at the screen and watching YouTube tutorials.
February 25, 2025 at 10:50 PM
You know you’re a real game when you have stickers
February 5, 2025 at 2:40 PM
An updated trailer for Clare’s Escape for the weekend
February 1, 2025 at 2:11 PM
Wishing you all a peaceful Christmas

Animation: shorturl.at/gWdYk
December 20, 2024 at 3:16 PM
Next version for the Mac is in review. Graphical tweaks (fancy clouds) and the collectibles all done.
November 18, 2024 at 8:16 PM