A reader explains how joining a community of fans based around Resident Evil Village has helped their mental health during the pandemic.
Resident Evil Village has helped to improve not only my mental health but it has greatly improved the overall mental health of the whole Resident Evil community. I am incredibly grateful to have been given the opportunity to interview the cast by Capcom; because of this I have been engulfed in a community full of loving and supportive fans who all have one thing in common and that’s their love for the game. The actors themselves have been incredibly active with their new fans; their social media is always getting the interaction it deserves.
I always love to scroll down my favourite social media platform and see drawings or cosplays of the characters from the game and that’s simply amazing as it inspires creativity, and there’s not enough of that in the world, but It’s also therapeutic to the person creating the art.
I don’t speak for the community, but I have spoken to some fans of the game, they’ve told me how much an actor means to them, I especially hear a lot of positive feedback about actors such as Maggie Robertson (Lady Alcina Dimitrescu), Katie O’Hagan (Mia Winters), and the three Dimitrescu sisters (Bekka Prewitt, Nicole Tompkins, and Jeanette Maus). The touching story and the beautiful design work also captivates fans of the Resident Evil franchise.
In terms of my mental health, I suffered with loneliness but because of this game it brought me closer to a community of passionate people. I created a Discord server for my podcast so fans could talk about games they’re passionate about, but it was also for myself to connect with others who may share the same obsessions as me.
That’s what I thrive on achieving; I want people to openly talk about mental health and their experiences and because of Resident Evil Village it has helped tremendously.
I find it super important to build a community, and creating the Mentally Obsessed Discord has brought people together who may be lonely. I created the Mentally Obsessed podcast to create a positive space not only for the LGBTQIA+ community but everyone who is treated differently.
It’s also a safe place for people to talk about their mental health to others who may also be experiencing hardship or issues.
Resident Evil and Capcom have made this possible and I am incredibly proud of myself and the community for always showing their love for the games. I am grateful that the community has also accepted me into their loving arms, as I hadn’t really played Resident Evil before Resident Evil 7 Biohazard.
Resident Evil will continue to bring their fans closer together, and people who may have their doubts about gaming should know that, in all seriousness, gaming has saved many lives and it’s an escape for many, including myself. Because of Covid and having to isolate on my own, I found out just how comforting gaming can be. It’s a good thing, I promise.
By reader Rhys Smart
Please visit the website at Mentally Obsessed or say hello on Twitter or my personal website.
The reader’s feature does not necessary represent the views of GameCentral or Metro.
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