Mutazione

Feeling the Narrative Control(ler): Casual Art Games as Trauma Therapy

Casual art games, characterized by their non-competitive nature and focus on aesthetic immersion, function as potent instruments for trauma therapy.

• Casual art games like Spiritfarer (Thunder Lotus Games, 2020) and Mutazione (Die Gute Fabrik, 2019) function as therapeutic tools by providing non-competitive, low-stakes environments that allow players to process grief and trauma.
• These games utilize specific aesthetic strategies, such as calming pastel color palettes, non-harsh musical scores, and 2D art styles, to create a physiological sense of safety that encourages emotional engagement.
• Player agency is central to the therapeutic value of these titles, as mechanics like choosing when to let go of characters or deciding how to respond to traumatic disclosures allow users to practice emotional regulation without the risk of failure.