Relatability and Symmetra's Autism

New Normative takes a closer look at Symmetra and the revelation that she's on the autism spectrum. How do gamers on the spectrum feel?

[garyanderson]

I never read the overwatch comics, so I have no idea about the revelations outside the game itself.

[ZaWarudo]

Ah, so she's like her players.

I'M JOKING

[bluefox755]

It's funny cause it's true.

[OtakuDJK1NG-Rory]

Symmetra get no love for new costume

[porkChop]

It makes zero difference. It's like the flavour text on MTG cards. The autism's existence only goes as far as the text that claims it. Inside the actual game it doesn't exist, not a single hint.

Stuff like this bothers me, because it feels more like checking off a marketing box rather than actual inclusiveness.

If you're not going to address a social issue in a meaningful way, then you shouldn't even bother doing it at all.

Edit: Just to clarify, I have no issue with the character being autistic. I just think how it's handled in-game, basically non-existent, could have been done much better.

[Goldby]

(devil's advocate here)

but studies and cases show that certain activities can mask the symptoms and the people act completely normal.
theres even cases where people with tourette's syndrom having no triggers when they are playing music or singing. why can the same not be the case with a person with autism and combat?

[BlackOni]

Very good points, even though you're playing devil's advocate here. Another interesting aspect, is Symmetra's focus on balance, symmetry (heh) and order. Those, at least from what I can understand, are common attributes to those who are even slightly on the functional-autism spectrum.

[opinionated]

How would you incorporate that into gameplay? And even if they did who would want to play a character like that? Would autistic people enjoy playing an autistic character? Seems to defeat the purpose of playing video games. It's just a virtue signal like most of the crap blizzard has been doing. Hollow diversity representation to appease a couple of nutjobs.

[Scatpants]

That's what's so annoying about it. They have a list of the groups that whine about this sort of thing so they shoehorn those characters in and and say "look at us look at us we're so progressive". Just seems like pandering.

[EatCrow]

Exactly, the fact that she's autistic plays absolutely no role in her character in game. This type of thing doesn't really belong in this kind of game, especially since it isnt in the game. And apart from character model there really isnt much relation between comics and game.

[droojohnson]

If "This type of thing doesn't really belong in this kind of game" and "It isn't in the game," what exactly is your issue with it?

[EatCrow]

@droojohnson

My issue is dont put something into it if it doesnt make sense, add something , or work. Common design practices dictate there should be a reason to everything you do. This includes game design and character creation and development.

Its so funny how inclusivity has taken it this far. I actually never thought it would get this ridiculous and just comes to show what a farce inclusivity is in video games.

To say the character is autisitc is in fact a lie. Since it is likely the character was not created with that in mind. And obviously in the game the character isn't autistic. Therefore still a lie. Just working on that checklist.

[Goldby]

@crow

How do u know she isn't autistic. What requirements is she lacking that would make her autistic?
Demi Levato suffers from bi polar disorder yet you would never have known during her performers on stage. Her personal life and job are two seperate parts of who she is. Who says the same isnt the case with Symmetra?

[droojohnson]

It could've been handled better, but there's a pretty good argument to be made that her powers reflect some of the coping mechanisms/struggles that people on the spectrum develop/face.

[Sciurus_vulgaris]

Overwatch has next to no internal story. Why does it matter if a character in the game, has autism or is lesbian? Overwatch, isn't going to tell you a story with heavy character development.

[Goldby]

so that people with autism, or lesbians or anyone really can better relate with the characters instead of having a connection on visuals alone

[TorpeAlex]

I'm curious as to why you were downvoted on this. Come at me, Internet.

[Goldby]

@torp
because people are thinking its social justice pandering, when in all reality it is the creators freedom to do what they want, and if they choose to make their characters gay, or black, or female, or autistic, or deaf, or blind, or anything else, it is the creators choice and not the media pushing it.

Beyond popular belief, people with autism, people who are gay and everyone else can and does play video games, so why not have charatcers that those people can relate to

[ziggurcat]

if it doesn't matter, why are you upset about it?

[Sciurus_vulgaris]

I am not upset. I stated the character's autism doesn't 'matter.

[Scatpants]

I don't think you understand how a discussion works. He is saying this shouldn't matter. Are you implying that anyone with that opinion should just not speak? Seems like a recipe for a 1 sided argument.

[ziggurcat]

@scat uh... no. if it truly didn't matter to him, he would be fine enough with the devs having that as a part of the character's backstory, and just move on instead of complaining. if it doesn't affect gameplay or your enjoyment of the game or your life, then who cares if the devs decided to include that in the game.

[bluefox755]

More pandering. Seems very patronizing.

[annoyedgamer]

its funny because the uneducated people making this game don't know that autism primarily affects males, but by all means keep pandering to feminazis like the ones who made this website.

[droojohnson]

Are you really upset that when they decided to be inclusive of people on the spectrum, they didn't choose a male character just because they're more common?

Do you understand what inclusiveness means?

[Scatpants]

Oh god this is next level political correctness. Characters with autism now? Why not make a trans black/hispanic/muslim with autism then you wouldn't need to do anymore. Those are all the groups that need to be "included" right?

[droojohnson]

I ask the same question.

If the character is compelling, why not make a transexual multi-ethnic black/hispanic muslim who has autism?

[datriax]

So tired of hearing about Blizzard's shovelware, but even more tired of hearing about their SJW/PC bulls**t even more. Take your political agenda, and shove is straight up your a**, until it comes out your mouth.

[droojohnson]

Representing humans with more realistic and relatable traits, both physical and emotional, isn't a political agenda. It's more interesting content.