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Science News Explores feature

Posted on by Susie

Recently, I was lucky enough to be interviewed by Science News Explores, a US-based science publication written for kids and young people, about my work as a game and narrative designer.

The article focuses on how games can be used to communicate neurodivergent experiences. It draws on my game Life (Re)Sounding and on my own experiences of navigating sensory overload and the world around us that is often not designed with neurodivergent people in mind.

What I appreciate most about this piece is the audience it is written for. Having these conversations early matters. Games can help young people understand that there is no single “normal” way to experience the world, and that difference is not something that needs fixing, rather we can share our experiences through games and stories and connect with each other.

You can read the full article here: https://www.snexplores.org/article/game-designer-neurodivergent-gaming

I am grateful to Science News Explores for speaking with me, and for making space for neurodivergent stories.

Article: The video games industry is having its #MeToo moment. But there’s a long way to go

Posted on by Susie

Recently I chatted with Nell Geraets for this Sydney Morning Herald piece on three executives from Ubisoft being found guilty of enabling a culture of harassment in the workplace.

I’m glad these conversations are reaching mainstream media, and as I said in the article: “there’s still a lot of work to do.” We need real structural change to make the industry safer and more inclusive – for everyone pushed to the margins. It’s a conversation I’m committed to continuing.

You can read the full article here: https://www.smh.com.au/culture/art-and-design/the-video-games-industry-is-having-its-metoo-moment-but-there-s-a-long-way-to-go-20250703-p5mca2.html

ABC: Bolt Action World Championships

Posted on by Susie

Recently I was lucky enough to chat to Rosemary Murphy from the ABC about playing miniature games – specifically Bolt Action, in an article about the Australian Bolt Action teams travelling to the UK to compete in the World Team Championships this year! Australia has two teams competing this weekend – good luck!

You can read the article in full here: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-04-26/miniature-tabletop-game-bolt-action-world-championship-event/105204998

The Bunyip: Game On

Posted on by Susie

This month I was lucky enough to be featured in The Bunyip (the Gawler area’s local newspaper)’s Humans of Gawler section by the amazing Daniel Down, about growing up in the Gawler area and creating games!

We even found the time to chat about Life (Re)Sounding and some of the ways in which it communicates some of the challenges growing up neurodivergent in a world made for neurotypical people. Thanks for the chat!

Photo Credit goes to Daniel Down: https://www.instagram.com/djd79/?hl=en

Life (Re)Sounding: The Canberra Times

Posted on by Susie

Recently, we were lucky enough to have some wonderful news articles released discussing our game Life (Re)Sounding. One of my favourites recently was this article published by The Canberra Times by Katelyn Catanzariti.

The article really captures some of the ways in which the game has been designed to communicate aspects of neurodiversity whilst acknowledging that every neurodivergent person is unique. I particularly loved this quote in the article from Sarah Langston, president of the Australian Neurodivergent Parents Association:

“I think anything that supports the development of empathy and real connection with the neurodivergent experience is useful, because I think what we often see is a lack of people ‘getting it’. It takes it away from the abstract and into the personal.” – Sarah Langston

If you’re interested, you can read the article in full on the Canberra Times website: https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/8777111/video-game-builds-empathy-for-neurodivergent-experience/

Life ReSounding

Posted on by Susie

Our game Life Resounding has been released in Beta state! You can access it through the links below if you’re interested, we would love to hear your thoughts.

Life (Re)Sounding is a short game/interactive 5 track music album created using Unreal 5 and the MetaMidiToolkit.  It is designed to raise awareness of how hard it is to exist as a neurodivergent person in a neurotypical world, by encouraging players to engage with slices of life of a neurodivergent person thrust into a world that was built for neurotypical people. 

If you’re interested in finding out more about our game, you can watch the video below:

Recently my colleague George and I were lucky enough to speak to Channel 10 News about the work we are doing on Life Resounding.

The game is currently in Beta state meaning there might still be some bugs or issues that need to be ironed out. We would love if you could help us find them! If you like you can play the game for free on itch.io: https://likeglassgames.itch.io/life-resounding

News: Like to run or running for likes? How the gamification of fitness apps motivates movement

Posted on by Susie

Recently I got to speak to Will Venn about the use of gamification, or the use of game-like elements in spaces other than games to engage people in activities such as fitness. Alongside some other specialists in areas such as health, I got to talk to Will about the difference between game design and gamification.

I got to talk about the very cool Zombies, Run! game, and how it, and Pokemon Go! Addressed the Covid pandemic by adapting their game design to align with lockdown requirements. I also got to speak about the way in which engaging players through a storyline or a narrative can help modify an individual’s perception of physical activity – actually making our brains feel as though the exercise doesn’t involve as much exertion!

You can read the article here: https://www.unisa.edu.au/connect/enterprise-magazine/articles/2024/like-to-run-or-running-for-likes-how-the-gamification-of-fitness-apps-motivates-movement/

The Wire: Beyond the TableTop

Posted on by Susie

Last week I was lucky enough to speak with Emma Wotzke from The Wire about the benefits of TTRPGs for social and emotional wellbeing. This year is the 50th anniversary of Dungeons & Dragons and it’s really great to see the popularity of the game and TTRPGs in general so high in 2024!

We chatted about the use of TTRPGs for social growth and the research in this space. I also got to talk about how TTRPGs can work towards bridging the “double empathy problem”, allowing neurodivergent and neurotypical people to promote social growth and strengthen cross neurotype communication! Emma also spoke to Michael Keady who is a counsellor using D&D in their work.

You can listen to the full story here: https://www.thewire.org.au/story/beyond-the-tabletop-can-d-and-d-support-social-and-emotional-wellbeing/

Video: Using games for learning and social change

Posted on by Susie

In this video I chat about some of my favourite things – how important games are, and how we can use them to change the world!

I also got to talk a bit about my new game project – a game designed to raise awareness of what it’s like to grow up neurodivergent in a world made for neurotypical people.

Hopefully I’ll be able to share more about that project soon!

ABC News Riverland: How Dungeons & Dragons is helping neurodivergent kids be themselves

Posted on by Susie

Recently I chatted to ABC Riverland about the role of Dungeons & Dragons to promote social growth in those who are neurodivergent (ND) and those who are neurotypical (NT). Our research suggests that playing TTRPGs like D&D can help both ND and NT individuals grow socially as they learn to more deeply understand how our different brains work through playing the game.

It was lovely to hear about the great work that Jay Green is doing in the Riverland to promote and run D&D sessions that are inclusive and engaging!

You can read an ABC News article about the story here: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-08-30/dungeons-and-dragons-riverland-neurodiverse-kids-connect/102672520