Wizards and Pirates on the Spectrum
It’s National Autism Awareness month, and we asked community member Dead Sparrow of Duelist101 to touch on the subject for us.
Growing up on the autism spectrum, I often found the social world to be a confusing place. Interactions involve so many unwritten rules and hidden layers that a simple conversation can feel like an endless minefield.
For this reason, I avoided online games when they first came out. Specifically, I avoided MMORPGs (Massively multiplayer online role-playing games): large, virtual worlds where players can interact in an intensely social environment. For me, the whole point of games was to escape the social world…why would I play one that contains all of the elements I wanted to avoid?
One day, however, I was talked into playing Wizard101. I grudgingly made a character and began the quests. I braced myself for what was sure to be a long line of confusing, negative interactions with random players. Instead, something unexpected happened: I quickly discovered many in-game features that made it easier for me to manage the social difficulties I often ran up against. I was having fun. More importantly, I was having positive experiences with others, not in spite of this online world, but because of it. Years later, I’m still playing Wizard101, as well as its sister game Pirate101.
As an adult on the autism spectrum, I couldn’t help but think that these in-game features would have been even more helpful when I was a kid, a time when I was struggling mightily to navigate the social world. To help explain what I mean by this, I thought I would share just a few of these gaming experiences with you.
Here are 4 features of MMORPGs that I believe can be beneficial for those on the autism spectrum.
1. Chat101
One of the primary struggles I had growing up was understanding the structure of conversation. I was not developing the ability to intuitively understand social cues- the “unwritten rules” of interactions, so to speak. This made it difficult to navigate even the simplest of discussions. For example, knowing how to begin and end a conversation; knowing when to speak and when to listen- these are things most people can do without having to think about it, but for those of us on the spectrum it can be a real challenge.
This is what drew my attention to a feature common to most online games, including both KI games: the chat menu. This is a list of pre-written statements that players can select in order communicate with others. As I played and utilized this menu, I was struck by how useful and easy to understand the menu options were.
It’s not merely a list of random statements…it actually provides a structured overview of how conversations work. There are greetings, farewells, statements that provide info about a player’s progress. All helpful ways of sharing information…but for autistics, it’s also an easy way learn those “unwritten rules” that can be so difficult to intuit.
I think the menu chat feature can be a great way to look at statements, identify where in a conversation they belong, and practice navigating the subtle twists and turns of a conversation.
2: Finding Your Style
People on the spectrum can be very different from one another. It has become a cliché, but one so true that it’s always worth repeating: if you’ve met one person with autism, you’ve met one person with autism. And one thing I like about online games is that they offer a huge variety options when it comes to how one chooses to engage with that particular world.
For example, some people on the spectrum have a very strong need for structure. The repetitive observance of clearly defined rituals and tasks can help provide an enormous sense of comfort and stability. Online games are filled with linear quest lines and well-established goals. They are filled with items that can be tracked down, obtained and collected. For autistics who seek out structure, checking off these to-do lists can be both fun and comforting.
For others on the spectrum, it can be the exact opposite; lack of structure is a source of comfort, since it allows one to establish their own internal rules and forms of play. I fall into this 2nd camp. When I was a kid, I was often frustrated by the “rules” of traditional video games. I didn’t want to work through a stage or beat the final boss. I just wanted to roam around and make up my own set of goals. I was particularly fond of discovering glitches. If I could find an area where I could jump off the screen or trigger visual errors in the game, I was thrilled. That was my definition of a good time.
Back then, most kids wanted to rescue the princess. I wanted to break the game. (I’m a natural born beta-tester, in other words.)
It wasn’t until I played Wizard101 for the first time that I found a game that was ready-made for someone like me. You have all the freedom in the world to simply walk around, sight-see and create unique goals that are separate from the quest line.
Autistics can have a hard time finding settings where they are allowed to play based on their own preferences. With online games, that can be less of a problem. If you need structure, they have it. If you’d rather avoid structure, that’s okay too. Whatever your style, the ability to customize your play experience is a pretty awesome thing.
3. Crowd Control
This one might be my personal favorite. In both Wizard101 and Pirate101, you have something called “realms”. This is a feature common to many online worlds, though it can go by any number of names (e.g. servers, areas, zones).
Here’s how it works: in order to manage the immense volume of players logged into the game at any given time, there are actually many identical copies of the game that are running simultaneously. As one “realm” fills up, other players are logged into a 2nd realm…or 3rd or 10th realm, just as many as they need to accommodate the players and leave them with plenty of elbow room.
Why am I describing this? One common challenge people on the spectrum can face is processing social cues. Most people do this instinctively, but for autistics, trying to piece together what is said, what is meant, as well as the overall context can be mentally exhausting. And if you are around a large crowd, where even more social cues are being expressed, it can be a painfully stressful experience.
Which is where “realms” come in. Not only are there a variety of realms to choose from- but they are sorted by crowd-size. Check out this screen shot from Pirate101. The highlighted realm is currently “crowded”. But as you can see, the lower realms are “perfect”, meaning they have a smaller number of people.
So, if you find crowds to be anxiety-inducing and prefer to avoid an onslaught of social data, you can transport your character to one of these less-populated realms.
This feature was designed so that servers can better handle the influx of players. But for people on the spectrum, it can be a great tool for managing their in-game stress levels. It’s an option I utilize almost every time I log in, and it’s always a relief. (The real world could stand to learn a few things from KI games; I would love to be able to do this at grocery stores and parties.)
4: Making Connections
Online games have benefits that extend outside of the virtual world itself. They are also a great way to connect with the people in your life.
It’s like I said, social cues can be confusing, and following even the most basic conversations can be a challenge. But with gaming, you have plenty of ready-made experiences to share with others. They give you pre-existing activities to engage in (quests, gold farming, etc) as well as pre-existing conversation topics (gear, pet selection, and so on).
Certainly, one could say this about many hobbies- like sports or extracurricular school activities- but online games can be the more comfortable option. Many people with autism spectrum disorder have sensory issues; this can include a painful sensitivity to lights, sounds, touch, etc. So being able to socialize while remaining at home, in a sensory friendly environment, is no small thing.
Conclusion
Today, as an adult, I still struggle with the ambiguous world of social cues and small talk. But in a virtual world like Pirate101, it’s a lot easier to spend time with friends and have positive experiences.
It makes me wish the option of online games had been available when I was younger. Making friends was a monumental struggle back then. I think having a world to explore and quests to follow would have made easing into playdates a less daunting challenge.
I will close with this reminder: online games are social in nature. Problems that autistics might encounter in the real world can just as easily pop up in an online game. It’s always a good idea to monitor a younger player’s game time, to make sure that they are both identifying and avoiding problematic encounters. Caution is always recommended, but I do think online games provide numerous safety measures that give players the ability to protect their gaming experience. This is especially true in the case of Wizard101 and Pirate101, which have put a huge amount of effort into making their worlds a family-friendly experience.
No two people on the spectrum are alike, but I do think the features listed above can make MMORPGs a positive experience for many autistics.
So, start gaming. Study those menu chat options. And if all else fails…switch realms.
M. Kelter writes for Autism Parenting Magazine, as well as his personal blog Invisible Strings. He also writes (as Dead Sparrow) for Duelist101, an official fansite dedicated to both Wizard101 and Pirate101.
KingsIsle Blog 
Great post and a great education on helping to understand those that I know that live in the spectrum. Very well done.
Agreed
this i so good for ppl that is autism
::))
This is wonderful information for all. Congratulations to Dead Sparrow and the Autism Society for this feature on the KI blog.
Thank You
I didn’t know what autism was before reading this. But I’m glad my two favorite games help with it!
this is a very good post in autism and i can see how the features this game has are helpful
I had no idea what autism was until now and I agree with you completely on this Death Sparrow.
what is it?
autism is a neurological condition that can consist of a spectrum of traits that are generally considered to create issues with communication and social interactions; some folks with autism are non-verbal, others are verbal but struggle with other issues; many autistics have sensory issues, like a painful averstion to lights or sounds. again, it’s a spectrum of traits, you can check out the blog at the end of the article for more information, thx.
so nice
thank you for this wonderful information!:)
I love this girl!!
i think that it would be hard and stressful to even write this i applaud him
i have Aspergers Syndrome which is a form of autism, and i love playing wizard101. its so much fun . it and several other games keep me calm and i get to meet people who like the same things that i do
Cool.Me too.
Me three but I forgot I was even born with it!
At first I thought, an article about online games – not my thing. But I took the time to read it because it was you. Glad I did. Interesting and it helped me understand a little about how Sam plays games – stuff I hadn’t considered. So thanks! Good read.
My grandson Kendal is also fighting autism he has been using wizards since 2009 and he can do things and go places on his own.. He loves both wizards and pirates they have helped him in so many ways.. 🙂
Someone I know has Autism. This Post is awesome and it really supports Autism Awareness Month and Wizard101 And Pirate101.
i am glad to see a game where i can feel comfortable like wizards 101 for myself i am bipolare add and dyslexic so at times i have trouble doing missions and or having fun and meeting other good people, the community here is awesome and helpful, it is refreshing to be here and accepted.
Thank you for sharing this information. I love hearing how the games can be beneficial to autistic players!!!
This is an insightful and fun blog post. I really like the section you wrote about how challenging it is for people on the autistic spectrum to follow and actively engage in conversations – As the mom of a 28 year old ASD young adult, I’m always looking for great content that presents helpful material in an unexpected and surprising way – this guest post does all of that. Bravo!
Very educational! My brother has autism, but not very much of it. Though sometimes we have communication issue, which we always work out. Now I have a picture of how to help my brother when he needs it! 🙂
Great article. I love all you guys over at duelist101 and really enjoyed this article. Also am glad to have found your blog. I found out my oldest son was an Aspie some years ago. Through that process I also found out I’m married to someone on the spectrum and that my mom is an Aspie. I guess I’m a fan of Aspies too 🙂
Thank you so much for the explanation of your world. I’ve always enjoyed this game because it eliminates nasty conversations that are found on other games, but on Wizard 101, there is always a pleasant environment to be experienced. I certainly never realized that someone with your challenges would benefit from it. Thank you again.
The easy chat was something my little brother loved to use – and didn’t spend much time making friends from the beginning. His fascination was to read the cards and look at the spells and not put too much time into questing. he likes to count how much health can be taken from a boss, the animation from each spell that has been cast etc. He will spend his hour of play just to look at the gear before he logs out lol. For him, he has not focused on social integration but he will say Hi to just about any one. W101 was a fantastic experience as his first on line game.
I think it’s a good thing they have Autism Awareness Month. My brother has autism, and it isn’t very easy for him to be very social – even speak. So, when I read this article, it sort of gave me a bit of insight on what goes on through the minds of autistic individuals.
Thank you, Dead Sparrow, you’re talking out of my soul.
I myself am autist and experience it the same way.
For me it is the “asperger’s syndrome” and it is even after two and a half – three years is not quite so easy to come up clearly in such an interactive game like Wizard101.
The hardest thing is the thinking explicit and structured an autistic person is misinterpreted by many.
I, too, is the social structure of a “grouping” very strange, since I am because of my kind that is influenced by my autism social connections otherwise understand than the other, which will cause me a lot of bounds and I prefer to play alone.
My English is not so good, but my story and recognized too late, “disease” (I have “excluded since there is no” the “disease” is) to do.
I hope you can interpret it anyway and understand what I like to tell.
// An Asperger’s autistic
I do know what you mean, it can be easy to be misinterpreted, so questing alone can at times be the more comfortable choice. thx for the comment, best wishes.
i actually have autism so I know whats going on
I have autism too. this article was actually a big surprise to me because it that other people with autism might have it too.
oops i said some things wrong. i meant to say that it never occurred to me that other people with autism might play too. my ADHD kicked in and i didn’t realize i didn’t put all of what i wanted to say in my post
i don’t have autism
This is great, I never realized how the pre-written chat menu could help people that way before I read the article.
i have autism to :]
I’m glad that wizard101 is acknowleding autism. I have a brother with autism and fully understand how they react. i, though younger, taught my brother a lot of things and in April i make sure i wear a autism support shirt at least once a week even though i despise the color that the shirts are in. Support autism!
Wow. I never understood what it was like for those with autism, but after reading this post I feel like I got a glimpse into there world!
(Pirater101 is also the only MMO that my brother said he would be willing to share with the whole family as most others aren’t “family friendly”.) You are doing awesome KingsIlse!!!!
I am an adult female on the spectrum and so are all 3 of my kiddos. We love this game due to all of the above reason.
great, awesome information, i like glitches, we are on the same page
Nice post i didnt know that you were autistic. I have talked to you on youtube once through the comments on one of your videos but yeah nice post.
thanks for this very much
My son lives on the spectrum and we play in the spiral daily. Thank you for this post 🙂
i love this game!
I truly appreciate taking the time to speak on autism
Very enlightening article. Really gives some insight into aspects of the condition I hadn’t thought about before.
However, be careful on your point number 2. Having been banned twice for finding bugs in the game, has made be hyper cautious about straying too far away from KingsIsle’s intended game play.
Amazing story and very informational! Thank you for sharing. This will help me greatly in my field of work (Human Services/Psychology).
i have autsim and this really helps me this virtual world i get into the world learn how to make friends and go on adventures and make friends it really helps me with my autsim.
My Bonnie Anne’s level 7, only 1 level away to promote!
Can’t tell you how much it meant to see an acknowledgment of Autism Awareness Month. I play both Wizards and Pirates with my 12 year old spectrum son. He has been playing for well over a year. I was very anxious about the interactions he may have in the Kings Isle games. He follows dad’s rule of turning down blind friend requests, and again, I greatly appreciate the forethought that went into the chat menus and responses.
The games are a great way for us to interact, bond and talk about. Kudos to DeadSparrow. Great article.
You folks are awesome – Thank You so much, now I understand the reason behind the chat menu.
A great article and thx for letting the people know what difficulties autism can cause and how gaming can help. We all need to learn to be patient, kind and understanding to all who play. We never know what others may be going through. Thank you for your time in writing this.
My grandson is in the “beautiful spectrum” as we call it, he absolutely loves the game! The members seem to be both helpful and fun, when they are not they find other friends. It’s perfect! Autism is hard, especially when the child knows he is different. It is all about the social, on Wizard 101 the pressure is off! Thanks so much for taking the time to explain this to others, it matters!
I totally understand. As an Aspie adult, I agree with all that you have said.
I also have Autism but I am considered to be high functioning.
hey makers of wizard101 my adam leo and i want to say that this game help me through my life
when i lost my parents i did not have friends but when i play this game i met lots of new friends so ty for making this game and i love this game
so ty
I teach autistic students and have for years. Your comments are exactly what I try to get my students to learn all the time! Thank you for putting this into words that a parent can read from someone who has been there, done that perspective. I posted it to my FB, where other teachers of autistic kids are connected. Let’s see if the word can go further 🙂
thanks for that, its nice that people recognize the autism friendly things in these games