The Underrepresentation of Autistic Characters in Video Games

In recent years, the gaming industry has made strides in representing diverse groups, including people of various racial, gender, and sexual identities. However, one group remains noticeably underrepresented: individuals on the autism spectrum. The UKIE Games Industry Census 2022 revealed that 18% of respondents in the gaming sector have a neurodevelopmental condition, yet autistic characters are scarce in video games. Alice Cooper, lead of Autistica's Autistica Play program, notes that the progress made so far is insufficient and that explicit representation is essential. Cooper argues that autistic characters should be portrayed as multidimensional individuals, rather than relying on stereotypes or implied autistic traits. Poor representation can be attributed to developers' lack of understanding about autism, which often leads to inaccurate or absent representation. Dom Shaw, an ambassador for Autistica Play, suggests that developers should engage with the autistic community to create authentic characters. By involving autistic individuals in the development process, creators can ensure that their characters are respectful and realistic. The absence of autistic representation has led some players to interpret quirky characters as being on the spectrum, which can be problematic. To address this, Cooper emphasizes the importance of collaboration with autistic people to develop authentic characters. Autistica's Insight Group, comprising 250 autistic individuals and families, works to ensure that research reflects the priorities of the autism community. Shaw highlights the significance of video games for many autistic people, citing their interactive and engaging nature as a key factor. With the right approach and research, developers can create well-written and relatable autistic characters, offering hope for improved representation in the gaming industry.