In recent years, and accelerated by the COVID pandemic, the topic of mental health and well-being has gained tremendous importance for the games market. The resulting growth in supply and demand affects both the applied games and entertainment games sectors. While applied game producers are drawing from established practices in diagnostics, digital medicine, therapy, as well as self-help tools to develop innovative and accessible approaches, entertainment game developers are following in the tradition of games d´auteur and address the topic of mental health and well-being from a personal perspective, thereby helping to raise player awareness and create an overall sense of connection and community.
The Games & Psychology Summit hosted by the Cologne Game Lab will explore and discuss current trends and future perspectives of these two phenomena from a transdisciplinary perspective, while showcasing standout projects from the institute´s own research and development portfolio.