<P> Gone Home is a first - person adventure exploration video game developed and published by The Fullbright Company . </P> <P> Set in the year 1995, the plot focuses on exploration of a house in Portland, Oregon, and examining common household objects within the home to unlock journal entries and discover the recent events that took place there . </P> <P> The player takes the role of Katie in the first - person view, who can view objects in the game using the mouse and move using the keyboard . There are no set goals in the game; however, the game encourages and rewards the player when they explore new areas of the house and search for new messages . Much of the interactivity rests upon looking at objects and notes within the house . In order to progress in the game, the player must find certain objects that unlock access to other parts of the house . </P> <P> On June 7, 1995, 21 - year - old Katie Greenbriar returns home from overseas to her family in Oregon: her father, Terry, a failed writer who makes a living reviewing home electronics; her mother, Janice, a wildlife conservationist who recently got promoted to director; and her 18 - year - old sister Samantha . Upon arriving, she finds the house deserted, with a note on the door from Sam imploring Kaitlin not to investigate what happened . </P>

Who do you play as in gone home