Video Game Characters With Autism

Summary

Video games can address real-life topics like autism sensitively to educate and build connections with players.
Many video game characters, like Wattson in Apex Legends, are confirmed to be on the autism spectrum.
Characters from games like To The Moon and Borderlands exhibit traits of Asperger’s or autism, adding depth and representation.

Video games, despite being fictional, possess the capacity to delve into real-world issues thoughtfully and authentically, promoting awareness. Developers play a crucial role in reflecting diversity within their player base, fostering stronger connections with their audience and educating those who might be less familiar with topics such as mental health, anxiety, or grief.

A significant trend in gaming is the increased representation of autism in games. Game developers have the unique chance to include more autistic characters and foster a bond with gamers who identify as autistic. Upon closer inspection, there are already many well-crafted characters with autism within video games, providing an excellent foundation for the industry to expand upon.

10. Amy (Amy)

Struggles With Social Interaction

Amy, accompanied by her guardian Lana, navigates a metropolis filled with infected individuals, as they walk together. Furthermore, due to Amy’s psychic abilities, she is pursued by a military group, and Lana is tasked with shielding Amy from their threats as well.

During an interview with AOL, Paul Cuisset, the director of Amy, revealed that Amy is autistic. Her autism isn’t the silent type, but rather a result of distressing incidents in a research facility that have left her mostly mute. However, as Lana and Amy travel together, Amy becomes increasingly communicative due to their deepening bond.

9. Wattson (Apex Legends)

Hyperfixates On Her Father’s Work

Credits: Respawn Entertainment

As a gaming enthusiast myself, I’ve come across some truly remarkable characters, but none quite like Watson from the electrifying world of Apex Legends, a hero shooter game that every gamer should experience at least once. You see, her father was an esteemed electrical engineer for the Apex Games, his work inspiring me, his daughter, to delve deeper into his field and carry on his legacy. Tragically, he passed away, but I received a call to join the Apex Games in the very arena I helped design – a tribute to my father’s vision and my own ambition.

In a social media update, Tom Cosiello, the mastermind behind Apex Legends, acknowledged that Wattson is on the autism spectrum. This aligns with her in-game behaviors such as her habit of clapping (a stimulus) and her tendency to be disturbed by loud sounds. Additionally, her character profile indicates she exhibits symptoms of both being completely absorbed one moment and extremely focused the next, a pattern that reflects traits associated with autism and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).

8. Brigid Tenenbaum (BioShock)

Has Trouble Empathizing

In a chilling first-person perspective, I’d like to delve into the captivating persona of Brigid Rothman, a character from the spine-tingling horror game universe. As a distinguished geneticist within the underwater city of Rapture, Brigid is renowned for her creation of the enigmatic Little Sisters. Despite being a German Jew during the tumultuous era of the Holocaust, she miraculously survived, largely attributable to her cooperation with the German medical personnel in their macabre experiments on the detainees.

In an interview with Game Informer, Ken Levine, the creator of BioShock, revealed that the character Brigid is depicted as having high-functioning autism. However, it’s important to note that this condition isn’t the only factor shaping Brigid’s character; her motivations, history, and overall personality also contribute significantly, resulting in a complex and authentic character with multiple dimensions.

7. Symmetra (Overwatch)

Prefers To Work In A Structured Environment

In the captivating hero shooter game where the storyline and characters draw you in, Symmetra shines brilliantly among her peers. Symmetra envisions and gets a chance to construct an ideal utopia. Equipped with her Photon Projector that emits solid light, she can fashion remarkable constructions and diverse traps and weaponry to vanquish her adversaries.

According to Game Rant, it has been confirmed by Overwatch director Jeff Kaplan that the character Symmetra is represented on the autism spectrum. This aligns with Symmetra’s characteristics, such as her preference for a structured and harmonious work environment, as well as struggles in social situations and managing sensory overload.

6. River Wyles (To The Moon)

Has Trouble Expressing Emotions

In a charming and engaging tale, the character Johnny, our central figure in an intriguing adventure game, finds himself deeply connected with River Wyles. This captivating narrative is found in the unique title, To The Moon. As players journey through Johnny’s life, they are privy to a moving love story that blossoms from childhood to maturity between these two characters.

During the course of the game, it’s revealed that River exhibits symptoms consistent with what the doctor terms as a “widespread developmental disorder.” Yet, many spectators speculate that this could be Asperger’s Syndrome, which falls under the Autism Spectrum Disorder category. To lend credence to this notion, the doctor presents both River and John with a book authored by renowned psychologist Tony Attwood, known for his studies on Asperger’s Syndrome.

5. Gin Ibushi (Your Turn To Die – Death Game By Majority)

Relies On Comfort Items

Developer: Nankidai
Release Date: August 28, 2017
Platforms: Microsoft Windows
Genres: Visual Novel, Adventure, Indie, Horror

In the world of video games, I’m currently navigating through a narrative that puts me in the shoes of a young student named Gin. This isn’t your average school day, though – I’ve been thrown into a gauntlet designed by some shady criminal groups. The goal? To crown a new leader among us participants, and boy, it’s not for the faint-hearted! Each trial is as lethal as the last, and it’s up to me to survive and perhaps, thrive, in this deadly game.

In Chapter 3, during the initial segment of the game, Gin discloses to Sara, another competitor, that he has autism. He shares with her that he experiences significant anxiety if he’s not dressed in his distinctive attire throughout the game. His clothing and a plush cushion shaped like a dog’s head serve as comfort items for him, providing reassurance for autistic individuals who may struggle with anxiety.

4. Cove Holden (Our Life: Beginnings and Always)

Intense Emotions

Developer: GB Patch Games
Release Date: November 16, 2020
Platforms: Windows, Mac, Android, Linux
Genres: Visual Novel, Casual, Indie, Free To Play

Following their divorce, Cove, accompanied by his father, settles as a neighbor to our central figure. In this digital romantic setting, Cove presents as one of the potential love interests for the protagonist. Throughout the game’s progression, players can observe Cove’s personal development, not only independently but also in connection with the character.

During the period spanning the third and fourth levels of the game, it is revealed that Cove has been diagnosed with autism. His character exhibits varying traits based on the player’s decisions, yet consistently displays a high level of emotional sensitivity. This heightened emotional sensitivity is a characteristic often associated with individuals on the autism spectrum.

3. Simone Cole (Clive Barker’s Jericho)

Frequent Meltdowns, But High Attention To Detail

Corporal Simone Cole demonstrates exceptional intelligence in her role as a programmer. Her services are utilized by the U.S. government within the Jericho Squad, a special military team dedicated to handling otherworldly entities that pose a threat to our nation and its allies, which fall under the realm of the paranormal.

At the age of 4, it was identified that Simone had autism, as mentioned in the game’s supplementary material. Her intense focus on specific topics such as numbers and machinery, as well as her tendency towards emotional outbursts, are characteristics often associated with her disorder.

2. Patricia Tannis (Borderlands)

Intense Passion For Eridian Artifacts

Dr. Patricia Tannis serves as an archaeologist, scientist, and fan-favorite character within the Borderlands series. Over time, she transforms into a Vault Hunter with a deep interest in the Eridian civilization and its relics. However, her pursuit of knowledge takes a toll on her mental health.

In the “Hidden Journals” mission of Borderlands 2, I came across some insights about Tannis. It turns out she has Asperger’s, which is a form of autism. Much like some folks on the spectrum, she tends to deeply focus on specific subjects and passions, struggles with social interactions, and sometimes echoes what others say, repeating their words.

1. Josh Sauchak (Watch Dogs 2)

Blunt And Struggles To Read Social Cues

In one of the top open-world stealth games, a key character named Josh honed his mechanical abilities from a young age. As he matured, Josh proved himself to be an adept hacker for the organization Dedsec, after they recognized his anti-CTOS video content.

In his audio report, Horatio refers to Josh as having “high-functioning autism,” but in the game, Josh personally identifies as having Asperger’s syndrome. Josh is known for being direct and often struggles with social subtleties, characteristics that are commonly associated with autism.

2025-09-10 03:38