Games such as Fortnite have had strong connotations with gambling and addiction from the perspective of some media channels and critics. Fortunately, Link can be counted on once again as a hero, as Breath of the Wild offers a breath of fresh air and a welcome step away from the soft gambling that can be found within some of today’s biggest games.
Fortnite isn’t the only culprit that may be encouraging gambling, with games like FIFA 20 offering FIFA Ultimate Team (a popular game mode that uses virtual cards of players and assets), and with it, “loot boxes.” It’s a concoction designed to encourage you to not only continue playing but to continue spending too. Just this month, European Gaming reported that two lawyers based in Paris, France, filed a lawsuit against EA after a client supposedly spent “€600 in five months without ever getting a big player.”
French Psychologist, Michaël Stora, who has worked with some of the industry’s biggest developers including Sega, Ubisoft, EA, Microsoft, and Activision, has suggested a substitute tactic in order to alleviate the situation.
Stora, also known as “psygamer,” has highlighted Breath of the Wild as a prime example of a therapeutic and calming alternative to games like Fortnite, having worked with children and adolescents who have experienced behavioral issues.
The calming and therapeutic environment is a prominent component of Breath of the Wild as you traverse through the vast land of Hyrule and experience the stunning scenery and landmarks. The backdrop-style music that accompanies you on your adventure works in serenading tandem, allowing you to absorb the sounds of nature rather than having them be needlessly drowned out.
All of this considered, one might tend to agree with Stora’s perspective. Is there really a better feeling than gliding off Death Mountain or a Sheikah Tower as you pass through an endless stream of carefully crafted, jaw-dropping nature?
