Abstract
The frequently inaccurate and harmful portrayals in video games of individuals coping with mental disorders have contributed to the stigmatisation of mental health issues. Creating games that provide diverse narratives with accurate information and foster empathy by allowing players to assume the point of view of affected individuals may prove useful in challenging mental health related stigmata. For these purposes, the common game design practices used in 10 games to portray 12 typical symptoms of mental disorders were analysed. In addition to expanding existing literature on video games and mental disorders by examining their relationship from a game design perspective, the viability of a symptom-based approach to studying mental disorders in games was evaluated and found to be suitable. A total of 41 common design patterns and 79 sub-patterns were identified for portraying the chosen mental health symptoms, the distribution of which clearly reveals trends and biases in current depictions. Game developers may utilise the list of common design patterns to gain an overview of existing methods of portrayal, as well as to explore other means of depicting individual symptoms based on the newly identified areas for improvement.