Depresh Mode with John Moe The Beautiful World of Mentally Nutritious Video Games
Nov 1, 2021
Maddy Myers, a gaming journalist and co-host of the Triple Click podcast, shares insights on how video games address mental health authentically. She discusses titles like Depression Quest and Celeste, which represent struggles with depression through gameplay and art. Gregory Lobanov, an independent game designer known for Chicory: A Colorful Tale, explores the nuances of depicting mental health and creativity in gaming. They highlight the power of indie games to convey personal, emotional stories that resonate deeply with players.
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Interactive Immersion Raises Emotional Impact
- Video games offer deeper immersion than other arts because players actively participate in characters' decisions and worlds.
- That interactivity can provide perspective and therapeutic insight for people with depression or anxiety.
Use Games Intentionally During Depression
- Try balancing play: games can be both therapeutic and harmful depending on how you use them.
- Consider therapy and medication alongside games rather than replacing professional help.
Early Indies Pushed Mental-Health Themes
- Indie games began explicitly exploring depression after early experimental titles like Depression Quest.
- Wider social discourse on mental health helped make those games visible and acceptable.
