Players have sought solace in video games to cope with grief for a long time, and now, a new generation of games directly addresses this challenging subject
Seeking comfort after his father’s death, James explored expected avenues but unexpectedly found solace in the video game The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask.
During his upbringing, James shared a bond with his father through video games, holding cherished memories of playing Mario Kart 64 with him, his uncle, and his younger sister. Following his father’s passing, James grappled with feelings of abandonment and struggled to forgive him.
However, with the addition of some N64 games to the Wii catalog, James found solace in revisiting the games he had once enjoyed with his father. This experience ultimately facilitated forgiveness for his father’s absence during a crucial phase in his life.
Majora’s Mask held a special place in James’s heart, with memories of reading the strategy guide to his dad during their summer drives to work, and the game had always been one of his favorites.
However, revisiting the game after his father’s passing was an emotional experience for James, especially during the scene where he walked through the tunnel to the clock tower. It marked the first time he had done it without his father, bringing tears to his eyes.
Some people speculate that Majora’s Mask represents the five stages of grief. As James began to view the game through this lens, it helped him come to terms with his father’s death. Eventually, he found the strength to visit his father’s grave alone, something he hadn’t been able to do since the funeral about a year prior.
Guidance on themes of death and the human experience in video games can be subtly woven into a larger narrative, as exemplified by Lost Words. Conversely, games like Spiritfarer and Gris actively involve players in the storyline, presenting powerful narratives that delve into the concept of loss and the human experience, allowing players to determine their level of engagement.
Nicolas Guérin, the creative director of Spiritfarer, emphasizes that grief is a personal journey, and video games offer an interactive platform for introspection at the player’s own pace.
Similar to novels and films, video games can provide a glimmer of hope and an avenue for escaping an emotional state that may initially seem insurmountable. Lost Words: Beyond the Page stands out as an excellent example of overcoming grief and offering insights into the strategies individuals employ to cope with and process their loss.
Clinical psychologist and University of Melbourne researcher Caitlin Hitchcock, who provided consultation for the game, points out that video games offer a more nuanced approach to exploring themes like grief. While narrative is just one element of video games, it can offer a more accessible and digestible context for individuals who might be hesitant to engage with a film or read a novel on the subject of grief.
Lost Words: Beyond the Page, by presenting a challenging topic in a video game format, provides an alternative avenue for grappling with the theme and encourages individuals to confront their emotions and navigate their grief.
Games addressing grief are not necessarily designed to be educational; instead, they create a sense of shared experience and can contribute to normalizing the conversation around death. The goal of Spiritfarer was not to convey a grand message or deliver a lesson but rather to offer players a safe space to interact with characters approaching death and to portray death as a natural part of life.
Nicolas Guérin, the creative director of Spiritfarer, suggests that the game prompts players to value the little moments, partake in casual conversations, and acknowledge the influence of relationships on our personal growth. While the game delves into the significant topic of death, it equally underscores the significance of our connections with others.
Through portraying death as an inherent aspect of life and nurturing relationships, games such as Spiritfarer establish a sense of belonging to a collective human experience, aiding players in comprehending and maneuvering through their individual experiences of grief.