Empathy Games

That Dragon Cancer (c) Numinous Games 2016

DEFINITIONS
(1) "In empathy games, the main experience is driven by players' desire to understand and relate to the emotions of other avatars or players."
SOURCE: Vander Caballero, lead designer of Papo & Yo

(2) "These videogames aspire to enhance a player’s understanding of an outside perspective, particularly those pertaining to real-world struggles and inequalities, through interactive experiences."
SOURCE: Killscreen

EXAMPLES OF EMPATHY GAMES
That Dragon Cancer
Papo & Yo
This War of Mine
Papers, Please

HISTORY
The term was first suggested by Vander Caballero, lead designer of Papo & Yo in his 2014 GDC talk. LINK: Empathetic Games are Here to

ARTICLES & REFERENCES
https://killscreen.com/articles/the-problem-with-empathy-games
https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/215340/Designing_for_empathy_with_PapoYo_dev_Minority_Media.php

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Christian Fonnesbech. Nov. 24, 2017