Let’s play a game, shall we? It’s called “How Many Times Have You Been Told Video Games Are Ruining Your Brain?” Bonus points if this came from someone who couldn’t open a PDF without calling for backup. If you’re autistic, ADHD, or both, you’ve probably been on the receiving end of lectures about “too much screen time” or how […]
Minecraft as a Safe Haven: How Neurodivergent Gamers Use It for Sensory and Emotional Regulation
For many neurodivergent individuals, video games are more than just entertainment—they serve as essential tools for self-regulation, emotional processing, and sensory engagement. Among these, Minecraft stands out as a uniquely adaptable and immersive experience that caters to a wide range of sensory and emotional needs. Its open-world design, customisable gameplay, and predictable yet interactive environment makes it particularly well-suited for […]
Build Stronger Executive Functions with Minecraft!
For neurodivergent individuals, developing executive function skills—which include planning, problem-solving, impulse control, and working memory—can be particularly challenging. Executive functions act as the mental processes that help us organise tasks, regulate emotions, and adapt to new situations. When these skills are underdeveloped or inconsistent, everyday activities such as time management, decision-making, and flexible thinking can become overwhelming. Video games are […]
Mom’s First Step in Autcraft
After slamming his bedroom door for the millionth time, he screamed at me, “You don’t understand me; step into my world, mom!”. That’s when it hit me: the understanding, not the door. It was so simple. Why had I not thought of it earlier? This was a moment of truth, and step in, I did! […]
Embodied ‘difference’ in Stray
Developed by BlueTwelve Studio, Stray is a game in which players embody a cat looking for his family. After the beautiful opening scene, the cat falls into another world called the Walled City. There, he meets a robot, ‘B-12’. Eventually, they join; the robot wants to free all the robot inhabitants, while the cat wants […]
Life is Strange – Existentialism in Video Games
Life is Strange is a video game of the ‘coming of age’ genre developed by Dontnod Entertainment. While the game caters to an 18+ audience, its storyline, through the existential journey of its protagonist, Maxine Caulfield (Max), has a broader appeal (I should know, I’m not a teenager anymore!). The first game was released in […]
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