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International Conference on Human-Computer Interaction

HCII 2020: Universal Access in Human-Computer Interaction. Applications and Practice pp 212–228Cite as

Video Games to Foster Empathy: A Critical Analysis of the Potential of Detroit: Become Human and the Walking Dead

Part of the Lecture Notes in Computer Science book series (LNISA,volume 12189)

Abstract

Empathy, defined as “the ability to understand and share another’s emotional state or context,” is absolutely essential to human interactions at both the individual and societal levels as it enables people to share and understand other people’s feelings. If empathy is indeed such an important facet of humanity, the question of how it can be learned and taught is crucial. Today, new methods and tools to help individuals foster their empathic abilities are available, including information and communication technologies. Within this context, video games appear to be an interesting new approach for developing empathy since they provide situated, action-oriented, and embodied experiences that allow individuals to “step into someone else’s shoes.” Furthermore, computer games are low cost and widespread among the population and, if effective, could have a wide impact on promoting a more empathic society. Considering this perspective, a critical analysis of the potential of two recent best-selling video games – Detroit: Become Human and The Walking Dead – is discussed, with the aim to offer insights and practical applications for the adoption of these games to promote empathy-related abilities, in players.

Keywords

  • Video games
  • Empathy
  • Detroit: Become Human
  • The Walking Dead

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Human Sciences for Education “Riccardo Massa”, University of Milan-Bicocca, Piazza dell’Ateneo Nuovo 1, 2016, Milan, Italy

    Federica Pallavicini, Alessandro Pepe & Fabrizia Mantovani

  2. Department of Psychology, University of Milan-Bicocca, Piazza dell’Ateneo Nuovo 1, 2016, Milan, Italy

    Chiara Carmela Caragnano

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  1. Federica Pallavicini
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  2. Alessandro Pepe
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  4. Fabrizia Mantovani
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FP proposed the study, supervised the scientific asset, and wrote the first draft of the paper. All four authors were involved in the drafting, revising, and completing the manuscript.

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Correspondence to Federica Pallavicini .

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  1. Foundation for Research and Technology – Hellas (FORTH), Heraklion, Crete, Greece

    Dr. Margherita Antona

  2. University of Crete and Foundation for Research and Technology – Hellas (FORTH), Heraklion, Crete, Greece

    Prof. Constantine Stephanidis

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Pallavicini, F., Pepe, A., Caragnano, C.C., Mantovani, F. (2020). Video Games to Foster Empathy: A Critical Analysis of the Potential of Detroit: Become Human and the Walking Dead. In: Antona, M., Stephanidis, C. (eds) Universal Access in Human-Computer Interaction. Applications and Practice. HCII 2020. Lecture Notes in Computer Science(), vol 12189. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-49108-6_16

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