That's the question driving the GameOn project. Rather than building something entirely from scratch, we started by looking at games many gamers already play and examining what makes them useful.

Games like Minecraft, Stardew Valley, Cities: Skylines, Farming Simulator and Civilization VI already involve routines, planning, resource management and teamwork — all skills that transfer surprisingly well to the everyday lives of autistic youth, especially with support from educators or caregivers.

That is why we performed a comprehensive screening of 66 games and mods, which successfully pinpointed the exact features that make mainstream gaming environments inclusive and accessible.

However, not all existing popular games are suitable to be modified. Similarly, not all existing mods that aim to tailor the play experience to autistic youngsters – i.e. to ease sensory overload and make games feel calmer and more predictable – meet their needs and expectations.