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Session Name:

Thriving Players Summit: Avoiding Toxic Positivity in Games for Emotional Well-Being

Overview:

The world can be a scary, exhausting, and upsetting place to navigate. Too often, when we seek out games and apps that are meant to help us gather strength and moments of peace to support our well-being and mental health, we are faced with toxic positivity the idea that we should strive towards happiness no matter our circumstances, putting the blame solely on the individual for struggles they may be experiencing with their well-being. As game developers, we can design affirming and supportive digital experiences to support player well-being while not ignoring the harsh realities of the world we live in and its impact on our mental health.

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