Why Neurodivergent Gen Z Turns to Video Games: Structure, Identity & Reward

As the younger half of Gen Z enters their teen years and the older half steps into adulthood, we’re witnessing the rise of the first generation born fully into the internet age. Unlike previous generations, they have no memory of a pre-digital world. Life with constant connectivity is their baseline—and they’ve adapted to it fluently, like native speakers of a second language. This digital fluency shows up most clearly in how Gen Z spends their leisure time: online, and increasingly, in video games.

Video Games as a Safe Haven for Neurodivergent Youth

Video games stand out as a preferred hobby for Gen Z, especially among neurodivergent individuals (e.g., those with ADHD or autism). For this community, games offer a refuge—a world that feels more understandable and manageable than real life. In contrast to the ambiguity of daily social interactions (e.g., “I’m fine” not meaning fine at all), video games offer consistent rules, clear expectations, and predictable outcomes.

Gaming Addiction and Usage Rates Among Gen Z

Studies show that Gen Z plays video games at higher rates than any generation before them and also experiences the highest prevalence of gaming addiction and gaming-related disorders. Gaming has surpassed traditional entertainment forms such as television, radio, and even organized sports. To understand why neurodivergent youth are particularly drawn to gaming, we must consider how core elements of game design align with their cognitive and emotional needs.

1. Structure and Predictability in a Chaotic World

One of the biggest draws of video games is their predictable structure. Even the most expansive open-world games like Minecraft operate within fixed limits. Every system and interaction is governed by code. If you want to achieve a certain outcome, there’s a clear pathway to follow.

Take Old School RuneScape (OSRS), for example. If your goal is to reach the highest Woodcutting level, you simply need to keep chopping trees. Compare this to the complexity of real-life goals—like getting a driver’s license, which involves navigating exams, bureaucracy, instructors' moods, and unpredictable road conditions.

For neurodivergent players, video games replace chaos with clarity. They provide a space where rules don’t change without warning, and success is based on effort, not social nuance.

2. Control Over Identity and Social Interaction

In real life, neurodivergent individuals often feel pressure to “mask” or adapt their behavior to fit neurotypical norms. This can lead to burnout, identity confusion, and a sense of alienation. Video games, by contrast, allow for full identity expression and autonomy.

Role-playing games (RPGs) offer detailed character customization—from hairstyle to backstory—letting players craft avatars that reflect who they are or who they want to explore being. This makes gaming a powerful space for gender exploration, identity experimentation, and self-acceptance.

In multiplayer games, players can also control how and when they interact socially. If someone is abusive in chat, they can be blocked immediately—allowing players to enforce their own boundaries and cultivate safer online spaces.

3. Immediate Feedback and Reward Systems

One of the most neurodivergent-friendly aspects of video games is their instant feedback. Every action—mining a resource, hitting a combo, or completing a quest—triggers a sound, visual cue, or XP notification. These fast dopamine hits keep motivation high and progress visible.

Compare this to the real world, where goals like “graduate college” or “save money” can take years and provide little short-term gratification. Games break large objectives into small, manageable milestones. This mirrors a key therapeutic strategy for ADHD and autism: task chunking.

By rewarding players for incremental success, games teach persistence, planning, and self-motivation—traits that are often difficult to foster in the face of delayed or unclear real-world rewards.

Building Inclusive Systems Based on Game Design

As the first fully digital-native generation, Gen Z finds in video games what real life often lacks:

• Structure: Clear rules, step-by-step goals, and transparent systems.

• Control: Customizable identities and social boundaries.

• Reward: Frequent positive feedback and measurable progress.

These design elements align closely with the needs of neurodivergent individuals—and they shouldn’t be confined to virtual worlds. By applying these principles in classrooms, workplaces, and healthcare systems, we can build more inclusive, supportive environments for neurodiverse minds.

Final Thought / Call to Action

If we want to engage and support neurodivergent Gen Z, we need to learn from the systems they already thrive in. Video games aren’t just entertainment—they’re structured, rewarding, and empowering digital ecosystems. It's time to integrate these elements into the real world.