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Double Fine "humbled" by therapeutic use of Once Upon A Monster

Special Effect uses the Kinect-powered Once Upon A Monster in its efforts to support kids with special needs, something Double Fine didn't expect but is understandably chuffed about.

Special Effect is a charitable organisation dedicated to making games accessible to kids with disabilities. Some games make it much easier, and the organisation has noted particular success with Once Upon a Monster; see it in action in the video below.

Speaking to MyXboxLive, Double Fine's Nathan Martz said accessibility wasn't necessarily a key goal of the project, but a happy side effect.

"It’s hard to express how it feels to know that our game has helped special needs children and the adults who work with them, but I think humbled and very, very happy are a good start," he said.

"When we set out to create Once Upon A Monster, our primary goal was to make a positive, uplifting game that kids and parents would feel better for having played.

"As a game creator, it’s often hard to know what sort of impact your creation has had on people’s lives, so knowing that people have found a way to use it therapeutically, to improve the lives of special needs kids in a meaningful, tangible way makes me feel like we actually accomplished what we set out to do, even more than that. It’s a very good feeling indeed."

Once Upon A Monster was followed by Double Fine Happy Action Theater, a game praised by parenting groups for its playability even by very young children - but enjoyable for anyone.

Cover image for YouTube video

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Brenna Hillier avatar

Brenna Hillier

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Based in Australia and having come from a lengthy career in the Aussie games media, Brenna worked as VG247's remote Deputy Editor for several years, covering news and events from the other side of the planet to the rest of the team. After leaving VG247, Brenna retired from games media and crossed over to development, working as a writer on several video games.

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