This chapter examines the potential of multiplayer games to foster empathy and perspective-taking through interactive, emotionally immersive experiences. Drawing on interdisciplinary research, it explores how digital environments—particularly those incorporating role-playing, cooperative tasks, and narrative complexity—engage both cognitive empathy (understanding others’ perspectives) and emotional empathy (sharing their feelings). The chapter highlights how game mechanics such as collaboration, moral decision-making, and virtual embodiment can create powerful opportunities for emotional growth and prosocial behavior. It also addresses key limitations, including online toxicity, narrative superficiality, and digital inequality, advocating for inclusive and ethically grounded design. Practical applications are discussed across clinical, educational, and community settings, where games have shown promise in supporting emotional regulation, social connection, and resilience. The chapter concludes by calling for interdisciplinary collaboration and rigorous research to ensure that empathy-enhancing games are both effective and accessible, helping to cultivate emotional intelligence in increasingly digital societies.

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Empathy and Perspective-Taking in Multiplayer Gaming

  • Victor Henrique Oyamada Otani

摘要

This chapter examines the potential of multiplayer games to foster empathy and perspective-taking through interactive, emotionally immersive experiences. Drawing on interdisciplinary research, it explores how digital environments—particularly those incorporating role-playing, cooperative tasks, and narrative complexity—engage both cognitive empathy (understanding others’ perspectives) and emotional empathy (sharing their feelings). The chapter highlights how game mechanics such as collaboration, moral decision-making, and virtual embodiment can create powerful opportunities for emotional growth and prosocial behavior. It also addresses key limitations, including online toxicity, narrative superficiality, and digital inequality, advocating for inclusive and ethically grounded design. Practical applications are discussed across clinical, educational, and community settings, where games have shown promise in supporting emotional regulation, social connection, and resilience. The chapter concludes by calling for interdisciplinary collaboration and rigorous research to ensure that empathy-enhancing games are both effective and accessible, helping to cultivate emotional intelligence in increasingly digital societies.