Part of the reason for Overwatch's popularity is that the game takes pains to flesh out deep and varied background stories for its stable of playable characters, and a character named Symmetra shows the game's dedication to representing as many different types of players as possible. According to Jeff Kaplan, the director of Overwatch, Symmetra is canonically on the autism spectrum, and some of her behaviors in the game reflect that.
Symptoms of autism spectrum disorder include difficulty picking up on social cues and a tendency to be easily overstimulated. During Overwatch gameplay and cutscenes, characters will often have canned dialogue with one another. Symmetra often returns other characters' teases with literal responses, showing that she doesn't understand the sarcasm behind them. Further, she often opts to focus on ordered defensive strategy rather than the chaos of offensive melees.
What's Driving This Trend
- Autism Representation in Video Games
- There is a growing trend towards representing autistic characters in video games and exploring their experiences.
- Neurodiversity in Media
- The trend of including neurodiverse characters in media, such as in Overwatch, is increasing and allows for more diverse representation and understanding.
- Inclusive Game Design
- Game developers are designing games with a wider range of players in mind, including those who are on the autism spectrum.
Who This Affects Most
- Video Game Development
- Video game developers can seize the opportunity to design and highlight characters who defy stereotypes, as seen with Symmetra's character in Overwatch.
- Entertainment Industry
- The trend of promoting diversity in entertainment should be adopted in the creation of more movies, TV shows, video games that authentically showcase neurodiversity and autism spectrum disorder.
- Education and Training
- Autistic representation in media can also lead to greater understanding and opportunities for education and training about autism, particularly for those who work with autistic individuals.
