How the complex video game Dark Souls helps to cope with depression and teaches resilience
Can a video game become an ally in the fight against depression and life’s difficulties? Finnish researchers from Aalto University conducted an unusual study of Dark Souls players’ stories—one of the most famous challenging role-playing games. Their findings surprised even the scientists themselves: it turns out that the game’s mechanics and plot not only entertain, but also contribute to the development of resilience and the support of mental health. The question arises: can virtual challenges really become a resource for real change?
A new perspective on the old debate about video games and mental health
How do games actually affect our inner world? Public opinion often leans toward concerns: excessive enthusiasm for video games is allegedly associated with isolation, decreased activity, and even the risk of addiction. Many scientific publications of the 20th and early 21st centuries emphasized the negative aspects: from worsening sleep to attention problems.
However, in recent years, another approach has been gaining ground. Scientists have begun to notice that immersion in virtual worlds sometimes contributes to the development of stress-coping skills, the formation of self-regulation, and even the ability to deal with anxiety.
Why Dark Souls specifically attracted the attention of researchers
What made Dark Souls deserve the status of a unique object for analysis? This role-playing game is known for its high difficulty, dark atmosphere, and philosophical themes. Unlike most popular games, it does not tolerate mistakes: any wrong action leads to defeat, and repeated attempts become an obligatory part of the gameplay.
This approach has given rise to a special culture among players: discussing failures and victories, searching for meaning in every challenge, as well as reflecting on personal resilience. It is precisely the combination of uncompromising difficulty and deep emotional storylines that allowed scientists to consider Dark Souls as a kind of model for overcoming life’s difficulties.
How Finnish scientists studied players’ experiences
The research group from Aalto University, which included Dr. Janne Lindqvist, PhD student Jaakko Väkevä, and Associate Professor Perttu Hämäläinen, chose to analyze thematic discussions on the Reddit forum. They applied the method of thematic analysis—a method in which recurring motifs and semantic blocks in user stories are studied.
This approach makes it possible to identify common trends and emotional reactions of players; however, as the authors themselves note, it relies on self-reports and subjective experiences. This is important to consider when interpreting the results, since personal experience does not always reflect the full picture.
What psychological effects do players note
What changes in their condition do community members notice? The study identified several key effects:
- The formation of the skill to accept failures as part of development
- The development of perseverance and the ability not to give up after defeat
- Strengthening the belief in the possibility of improving the situation
According to Jaakko Väkevä, the structure of Dark Souls, where defeats are inevitable and expected, helps to accept failures as a natural stage of life rather than as a final collapse. “Many players noted that experiencing numerous difficulties in the game strengthened their hope and self-belief when facing real problems,” Väkevä is quoted in the study.
Game mechanics as a metaphor for depression and overcoming
Why do in-game mechanics evoke such a response in people experiencing depressive states? In Dark Souls, the central place is occupied by the concept of “hollowing”—the gradual loss of meaning and the transformation of the hero into an “empty shell” after many deaths.
For many players, this storyline becomes a metaphor for depression: periods of decline, loss of goals, and the need to seek new reasons to continue the journey are repeated. The cycles of death and rebirth symbolize endless attempts to struggle and overcome oneself, which resonates emotionally with those who face similar experiences outside the game.
How the player community becomes a support
What role do online communities around Dark Souls play? According to the study, the cooperative elements of the game and platforms like Reddit become a real support for many participants. Players share stories, advice, and words of encouragement—sometimes repeating already traditional phrases such as “Don’t You Dare Go Hollow.”
These expressions have acquired an almost therapeutic meaning, strengthening the sense of belonging and collective resilience. Some participants noted that, having learned to ask for help in the game, it became easier for them to seek support in real life. This illustrates how virtual experience becomes a starting point for changes in the non-game environment.
Why it is important to seek professional help
Can video games be considered a cure for depression? The researchers emphasize: despite the positive effect, no game can replace full-fledged therapy and qualified specialist help.
According to Janne Lindqvist, video games can be a valuable addition to core support strategies, but in cases of serious mental disorders, it is necessary to seek professionals. It is also important to remember that each player’s experience is individual, and excessive enthusiasm for games can, on the contrary, exacerbate problems.
Depressive states are especially often aggravated if a person chooses not ordinary video games, but gambling entertainment. Due to the intense sensations, it may seem that online casino games help to get out of a depressive state. However, over time, depression only worsens.
In depression, people often feel that they have lost control over their lives. A casino can give a false sense of control, where the player thinks that their decisions affect the outcome. Often such players choose crash games, where you need to decide to stop the game before the plane “crashes.”
Crash games in general are popular among players, especially Aviator. Data on the site indirectly confirm the popularity of the game—they show that it is present in the gaming halls of a large number of online casinos. This game, like other gambling games, causes a short-term dopamine spike, which can temporarily improve mood and create a feeling of euphoria. This also brings relief to people with depression. But it is important to remember that it will be short-term.
No video game, even one as multifaceted as Dark Souls, can be a cure for depression. But it is possible and necessary to use it to improve your mental state.
The place of the study in the scientific and social context
How do the results of this work relate to other studies? In recent years, there have been publications about the positive impact of games with well-developed storylines and cooperative mechanics on emotional state. However, there are still controversial points: not all participants receive similar benefits, and the choice of Reddit as a data source limits the pool of respondents and the specifics of their experience. At the same time, this work helps to shift the focus from an exclusively negative assessment of entertainment to their potential benefit for mental health.
A look into the future: what scientists and developers have learned
What conclusions can game creators and researchers draw? Finnish scientists believe that game design tools are capable not only of entertaining, but also of providing real support to people experiencing difficulties. The key to success is the depth of storytelling, engaging mechanics, and the creation of supportive communities. In the future, new studies should be conducted to test the effects of other genres and on different audiences: by age, culture, country. The results of the current study will be presented at the international CHI 2025 conference in Yokohama, which highlights the importance of the topic for the scientific and professional community.