Health & Accessibility

Video Games increasingly provide important therapeutic treatments, for example for ADHD, Alzheimer’s, and neurorehabilitation after strokes. Numerous studies show how a regular use of video games can support chronic low back pain, or improve Visual Selective Attention after use.  Complementing the therapeutic treatment, games can offer the support a patient might need to get healthier quicker and better.

Beyond their therapeutic value, video games can also empower and support patients. The video game  I, Hope  is the story about of a young girl named Hope, whose town has been taken over by cancer. It supports children with cancer and brings positive and powerful elements into their lives.   At the Video Games Europe event in September 2018, the creator of the video games, Kenny Roy presented “I, Hope” to European decision makers. The game is available in hospitals and the developer is donating all proceeds from the video games to the Game Changer Charity.

Making video games accessible is one of the core values of gaming and everyone should be able to play their favourite video games. Recently, Microsoft announced its new adaptive controller to offer a functioning and user-friendly gamepad for every player affected by a physical disability. Ubisoft has also teamed with Amblyotech to develop “Dig Rush”, a clinically validated video games designed for people affected by amblyopia (also known as “lazy eye”).

Video games improve lives of more than 2.6 billion gamers in the world.