Neurodivergence is a term that includes people with different brain wiring, like ADHD, autism, bipolar disorder, or other conditions. But did you know that there are games out there featuring neurodivergent characters?
These characters bring diversity and representation to gaming.
In this guide, we’ll explore some awesome examples that you might relate to or learn from.
Neurodivergence Representation in Games is Vital
Neurodivergence representation in games is vital because it’s all about seeing yourself in the characters you love.
When a popular game features a neurodivergent character, it becomes a big deal for neurodivergent individuals.
It’s a chance to feel understood and validated, to see aspects of yourself reflected in the game world.
Having a character who shares your experiences can be empowering and reassuring, showing you that you’re not alone in your journey.
For many neurodivergent gamers, representation goes beyond simple diversity.
It’s about fostering empathy and understanding among the wider gaming community.
When neurodivergent characters are portrayed with depth and authenticity, it helps others grasp the challenges and strengths of these individuals.
This increases acceptance and reduces stigmatization, creating a more inclusive gaming environment for everyone.
Representation matters because it can inspire future generations of game developers.
When they see neurodivergent characters being celebrated and positively received, it encourages them to create more diverse and inclusive content in their own games.
What Game Characters Are Neurodivergent?
- Wattson [Apex Legends]: High-Functioning Autism
- Horizon [Apex Legends]: ADHD
- Octane [Apex Legends]: ADHD
- Symmetra [Overwatch]: Autism
- Dr. Patricia Tannis [Borderlands Series]: Asperger’s Syndrome
- Futaba Sakura [Persona 5]: Autism Spectrum
- Dr. Bridget Tanenbaum [Bioshock Franchise]: High-Functioning Autism
- David Archer [Mass Effect 2: Overlord]: Autism Spectrum
- Josh Sauchak [Watch_Dogs 2]: Autism Spectrum
- Aloy [Horizon Zero Dawn]: Autism Spectrum
- High Maintenance Sims [The Sims 4]: Bipolar Disorder
Natalie Paquette aka Wattson [Apex Legends]
Apex Legend’s Wattson has high-functioning autism. Respawn writer Tom Casiello confirmed on Twitter that Wattson is on the autistic spectrum, and she’s proud of who she is.
Casiello straight-up said that even if it’s not official-official, it’s totally cool for players to see her that way if it clicks with the traits and clues that are floating around.
Details in Wattson’s bio also confirm that she has autism.
The way Wattson claps her hands and places fences in a specific manner is a repetitive behaviors, which is common in some autistic individuals.
Her preference for orderliness is another trait often associated with autism.
Many autistic individuals find comfort and security in maintaining routines and structure.
Though she could be completely distracted one moment and hyper-focused the next, electricity grounded her – its ordered, predictable flow made sense in a way the rest of the world didn’t.
Her habit of giggling at her own jokes is another sign of unique social communication, kind of like what you might see in some folks on the autism spectrum.
Wattson’s knack for getting her head around tricky stuff like electrical engineering when she was young totally vibes with that thing where autistic folks dive deep into certain interests.
Wattson’s voice lines drop hints like wanting things quiet, seeking silence, and straight-up saying she gets electricity but not so much people.
Her line “Electricity I get. People, I don’t” really drives home this difference in understanding.
Wattson’s got this thing for wanting quieter spots, like in Chapter 7 of the lore. Her voice lines and banner poses also drop hints about how she’s all about that quiet life.
And if you’ve seen the Season 2 trailer, you’ll catch her being super sensitive to loud noises.
It’s like her radar for noise is on another level, which is pretty common in folks on the autism spectrum.
Dr. Mary Somers aka Horizon [Apex Legends]
Horizon of Apex Legends has been confirmed to have ADHD. Elle Newlands, the voice actor behind Horizon, confirmed on Twitter that Horizon does indeed have ADHD.
Her fidgety vibe and the way she’s always on top of remembering things are major giveaways. That whole writing-on-her-hand trick to remember stuff indicates she has ADHD.
Loads of folks with ADHD, like Horizon, are all about that fidget life. It’s like their secret focus weapon. Fidgeting is like their brain’s way of keeping them on track.
And here’s another jackpot clue: when she’s got a rifle aimed down sights, she’s all locked in and super focused, like a pro.
But as soon as she’s on the move, it’s like her brain goes, “Oh, shiny!” and she’s checking out everything around her.
That’s textbook ADHD hyperfocus – nailing something when it’s crucial, losing focus as soon as the focus spotlight dims.
Octavio Silva aka Octane [Apex Legends]
The signs are kind of like neon lights pointing to the possibility that Octavio Silva might be rolling with ADHD. And not just one type, but maybe a mix of hyperactive and inattentive.
First off, let’s talk about the inattentive side. Octane’s got a talent for getting bored faster than a racecar.
He’s all zoned out when someone’s chatting his ear off. Remember when he went on a date with Yoko? Let’s just say, he wasn’t winning any awards for Most Attentive Date.
Plus, his dad’s tagged him as ‘lazy’ before – which is totally a sign that his attention span might be dancing to its own beat.
Now, the hyperactive side is where things get even more interesting. Octane? Still as a statue? Nah, he’s got restless energy for days. You try telling this guy to stay put – it’s like trying to leash a hurricane.
He’s impulsive and doesn’t care about consequences. His brain seems to be all about “do first, think later.”
The way he throws himself into adrenaline-fueled activities is not just for the thrill, it’s because staying still feels like a punishment to him.
But here’s the twist: while the clues add up like points on a scoreboard, it’s not officially confirmed. Octane’s got this mysterious aura when it comes to ADHD.
While the signs are winking like big neon arrows, remember, it’s all about interpreting the hints and reading between the lines.
Symmetra [Overwatch]
ZhangJoshi, one of the Overwatch Narrative Designers, officially confirmed on Twitter that Symmetra has autism.
Symmetra’s dialogues and interactions often revolve around her preference for order and her discomfort with overstimulating situations.
Her acknowledgment of sensory experiences that either please her or bother her is another significant clue.
Many autistic individuals have heightened sensory sensitivities, leading them to react more intensely to various sensations.
Symmetra’s voice line about being mesmerized by hard light and playing with it to stim aligns with a common autistic behavior known as stimming, or self-stimulatory behavior.
Dr. Patricia Tannis [The Borderlands Series]
Dr. Patricia Tannis from the Borderlands series has Asperger’s syndrome.
Her behavior and traits, like her laser focus on research, social interaction challenges, and unique way of communicating, suggest that she’s on the spectrum, with shades of Asperger’s traits.
If players take on her quest Hidden Journals in Borderlands 2, the mission briefing poses the question, “How did an insane introvert with Asperger’s manage to survive in Sanctuary?”
She repeatedly tells the Vault Hunter, “Please leave, I am not ready for human time.” because having people around makes her uneasy.
Tannis doesn’t really crack jokes. She has a rather serious personality.
This is a common trait among people on the spectrum because we don’t really understand jokes.
She’s dealing with some intense stuff, like extreme social anxiety after facing traumatic events and witnessing the deaths of her fellow researchers.
Because of all this, she’s developed unique coping mechanisms, like forming connections with objects like ECHO recorders and chairs, detaching herself from reality.
Futaba Sakura [Persona 5]
Futaba Sakura from Persona 5 has often been discussed within the gaming community as a character who exhibits traits that could align with autism.
Unique Traits and Behaviors
Futaba’s character design and behaviors seem to align with traits associated with autism.
She processes information about the world differently than everyone else. Her fast absorption of information suggests a unique cognitive approach.
As a child, she memorized an entire shelf of books in one glance.
Her focus on technology and limited interests outside her sphere of interest is typical of individuals on the spectrum.
Interaction with Others
Being around people makes her feel awkward and drains her energy after spending extended periods with them.
However, she doesn’t hold any dislike towards them and actually forms strong bonds with her close companions.
Language and Communication
Her occasionally stilted speech or talking louder than necessary, especially during emotionally intense moments, aligns with communication quirks often observed in autistic individuals.
Literal Interpretation
She takes things at face value and accepts things exactly as they are. That’s another hint that goes along with the idea that she might be on the autism spectrum.
Voice Actor’s Perspective
The English voice actor, who approached the role with the idea that Futaba is on the spectrum, also adds to the speculation.
Dr. Bridget Tanenbaum [Bioshock Franchise]
Ken Levine, the game developer who led the creation of the BioShock series, confirmed that Bridget Tenenbaum has high-functioning autism.
She has a profound love for science, so much so that it can sometimes overshadow everything else.
Tenenbaum’s dedication to her scientific work, particularly her research involving ADAM and Little Sisters, exhibits intense focus and specialization.
Her way of talking, which is usually pretty direct and sometimes even a bit blunt, kind of adds to the idea that she might be on the autism spectrum.
David Archer [Mass Effect 2: Overlord]
David Archer from Mass Effect 2: Overlord is often seen as having autism due to his unique traits. He was born an autistic mathematical genius with remarkable skills like rapid calculations and an eidetic memory.
His sensitivity to loud noises is something many autistic individuals experience.
Josh Sauchak [Watch_Dogs 2]
Josh Sauchak of Watch_Dogs 2 is canonically on the autism spectrum.
Josh indirectly suggests that he has Asperger’s Syndrome in the Swelter Skelter section of Looking Glass, and he later directly confirms it during the DLC mission Caustic Progress.
Horatio’s assessment of Josh highlights characteristics of high-functioning autism in him.
Horatio’s report reads:
Josh operates on a higher level than the rest of us. We got a look at his ctOS profile and all kinds of nasty flags popped up. “Emotionally challenged”, “unstable”, even a low “mental maturity” score.
Josh stands out as the top-notch hacker within the DedSec team. His knack for remembering things he’s seen is truly remarkable.
Setting high standards for himself, Josh’s dedication shines through. In the early stages of Looking Glass, he’s the one who spots the bot accounts on their social media platforms.
Yet, even with this achievement, he’s tough on himself for not catching it earlier.
Aloy [Horizon Zero Dawn]
Aloy from Horizon Zero Dawn is a mid-functioning autistic character.
The scene after Tilda’s death, where Aloy struggles to respond to a hug initially, could indicate difficulty with physical touch and social gestures.
Her bluntness and straightforward manner of speaking, regardless of others’ reactions add to the idea that she could be on the autism spectrum.
Aloy’s difficulty in comprehending social customs is clear. She often misses subtle cues, such as NPCs attempting to flirt with her. This indicates a challenge in understanding non-literal communication.
Her tendency to intensely focus on a single topic, like her obsession with studying tech reflects the hyperfocus trait.
Her aversion to crowds suggests a sensitivity to sensory stimuli.
High Maintenance Sims [The Sims 4]
In The Sims 4, those High Maintenance Sims are often connected to traits that kinda remind players of bipolar disorder.
Sims with the High Maintenance trait tend to experience frequent and intense mood swings. They can go from extremely happy to very sad or angry in a short span of time.
Their reactions to events can be very intense, with jubilation one moment and deep distress the next.
This emotional intensity can parallel the emotional highs and lows of bipolar disorder.
If you want to play with a bipolar Sim, select the High Maintenance trait in CAS.
Conclusion
In the world of gaming, neurodiversity is a topic that’s gaining recognition and appreciation. As we’ve explored various game characters that are often interpreted as neurodivergent, we’ve come to understand that representation matters.
These characters offer players a chance to connect with experiences that resonate with their own, fostering a sense of inclusivity and understanding.
While these interpretations are not always officially confirmed by developers, they spark important conversations about the diverse ways in which individuals experience the world.
As gaming continues to evolve, embracing and celebrating characters that reflect the richness of human neurodiversity can lead to more meaningful and relatable experiences for players everywhere.
⇒ Read Next:
If you’re curious to learn more about this topic, take a moment to explore this list of games suitable for neurodivergent players.