The Psychology Behind Hellblade with Dr Paul Fletcher
Posted: 9 Sep 2022Episode 5
In this episode, Rosie talks to Paul Fletcher, Professor of Psychiatry and a neuroscientist, known for advising Ninja Theory in the depiction of mental health and psychology within video games, specifically for Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice and their depiction of psychosis. Paul is also on our Clinical Advisory Board here at Safe In Our World.
He goes into depth on he was involved in the development of the game, including the incorporation of those with lived experience of auditory hallucinations to create Senua as she is in the final game.
We talk about how Paul was instrumental in monitoring the psychology behind Hellblade and the future of clinicians within game-making. This includes the ins and outs of how clinicians can become involved in development to create real people, especially with considerations to the complexities of mental health and personality.
There has to be a willing suspension of disbelief. As soon as you pick up the controls, you’re tacitly saying ‘well, for the next hour, I’m going to face the problems with Senua’.
We also discuss our theme of July, which is the trio of nutrition, exercise and sleep, and the prospect of using planned behaviour rather than impulsive behaviour to stack the odds for us to make healthier choices.
About Hellblade: Set in the Viking age, a broken Celtic warrior embarks on a haunting vision quest into Viking Hell to fight for the soul of her dead lover.
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