Games are uniquely equipped to foster empathy—more so than any other medium. Unlike books or films, games place players in the shoes of another, allowing them to not just observe but experience different perspectives.

Life is Strange puts players in the role of a teenage girl navigating trauma, friendship, and moral ambiguity. The game forces hard choices—and then shows the consequences. By living those moments, players gain deeper emotional insight.

That Dragon, Cancer is an autobiographical game about parenting a terminally ill child. It doesn’t offer challenges or traditional mechanics. Instead, it guides players through grief, uncertainty, and faith. It’s interactive empathy—a heartbreaking, human experience.

In Undertale, players can choose to spare enemies rather than fight them. Dialogue, humor, and emotional payoffs reward pacifism, not violence. The game actively makes players question their own behavior and assumptions.

Empathy in games often comes through:

• Choice and consequence
• Perspective-shifting mechanics
• Narratives rooted in vulnerability, identity, or trauma
• Slow, character-driven pacing

Educational and therapeutic games are also using emotional intelligence frameworks to help children and adults recognize emotions, navigate conflict, and build social skills.

When designed intentionally, games aren’t just entertainment—they’re empathy engines. They help players understand people and worlds different from their own. And in doing so, they expand both awareness and compassion.