# Empathy-Based Video Games This Battle Game Lets Players Fight Monsters or Make Friends With Them By Charlotte Joyce Kidd | Published 2015-09-28 | Tech Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/battle-game References: [boingboing.net](http://boingboing.net/2015/09/24/undertale-game.html) & [store.steampowered](http://store.steampowered.com/app/391540) At first, 'Undertale' seems to be a typical battle game, albeit one with abnormally adorable graphics. Like so many [role-playing games](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/disney-4), it follows a child on her adventure through an alternate world filled with fantastical beings. Once play starts, however, it becomes apparent that Undertale is not a conventional battle game, or really a battle game at all. The game's universe abounds with monsters of all shapes and sizes, but defeating them isn't as simple as firing futuristic weapons at them or kick-punching them into a pulp. Each monster comes with a unique backstory, and a fully developed explanation as to why they are attacking Undertale's protagonist. Like childhood bullies, the monsters have troubled pasts or feel misunderstood. Players can fight them if they choose to, but violence often has unintended consequences in Undertale's game logic. This RPG fits into a newly blossoming category of games that focus on [experiential play](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/emo) and the empathy that comes from a [first-person video game perspective](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/eyes-never-wake) to create provocative, powerful narratives. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.7/10 - Popularity: 42% | Activity: 30% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 30% men, 70% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Gen Alpha, Millennial - Top markets: North America, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/tech) > [Games](https://www.trendhunter.com/games) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Empathy-based Video Games:** Video games designed to provoke empathy by allowing the player to experience the game world from the first-person perspective, creating diverse and provocative narratives. - **Narrative-driven Games:** Games that center around a story and create engaging and unique experiences for the player through their narrative choices. - **Interactive Storytelling:** Games that create interactive, immersive experiences through engaging narratives that allow for player choice and empathy building. ### Where This Applies - **Video Game Development:** Developers can create new games that focus on narrative choice and empathetic storytelling, challenging traditional game design principles and creating more immersive experiences. - **Education:** Developers can adapt narrative-driven games to create educational experiences that engage students in learning about history, culture, and social issues. - **Psychology/therapy:** Empathy-based video games can be used in therapy sessions to help patients explore and work through their emotions in a safe, interactive environment. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Monstrous Horror Video Games](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/horror-video-games.md) - [Cozy Self-Exploration Games](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/betwixt.md) - [Family-Friendly Platformer Games](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/rainbow-billy.md) - [Adventure Role-Playing Games](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/astral-wield.md) - [Cozy Meditative Digital Games](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/simpler-times.md) - [Stimulating Audio-Visual Experiences](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/periphery-synthetic.md) - [Self Exploration Art Games](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/chicory-a-colorful-tale.md) - [Social-Focused Childrens Games](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/dragon-snacks-games.md) - [Immersive Genre-Bending Indie Games](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/raiders-of-blackveil.md)