Walking simulators are among the most visible indie successes, with most of the games mentioned above receiving critical acclaim, awards, and attention in the gaming press.
Though the term "walking simulator" was first coined as a derogatory term, its ironic how these types of games were the most successful.
all of the interactor's possible performances will have been called into being by the originating author.
Maybe the same goes for the author too; many games are based off of other games or follow a similar format of a game that already existed.
trauma, it represents the mind’s repeated efforts to keep returning to a shocking event in an effort to absorb it and, finally, get past it
The processing of these fictional traumatic events is a game, in a way, where the viewer must figure out what truly happened by digging into different points of view. The continual exposure to trauma through exploration paired with unlocking new perspectives can help viewers absorb and accept the event. In this sense, exploration can help harness anxiety and be a coping mechanism.