A Neurodivergent Love Letter

[strawberryteacup]

For context: I am autistic, openly and adamantly. The second I laid eyes on Cove, I felt like he was, too.

And that's the greatest thing I've ever experienced in a game-- to have a character like Cove, who so many people love and adore, be heavily autistic coded. I felt so... seen. Intentional or not, Cove is one of the best portrayals of an "under the radar," non-stereotyped autistic person I've ever encountered.

He's scared of new people and new foods, and his favorites are a little strange to most people. Unexpected changes set him off. He loves the ocean with such a passion that it can only be called a special interest. He wiggles and taps his fingers on his knees when he's excited, a happy stim. He's wary of touch from all but a few people. He says what's on his mind with blunt (sometimes rude) honesty. He tends to bolt from his problems. His dad even bribes kids to befriend him.

And on top of that, to make him demisexual? My little asexual heart is singing right now. So many autistic people-- myself included-- identify somewhere on the asexuality spectrum, and Cove's fears about being a crybaby, or taking too long and flip-flopping what he wants? I've been there.

Thank you, devs, for giving us Cove.

[sufi]

As an aromatic asexual autistic person, this game gives me so much joy too!

I see so much of myself in Cove and you can even play it as the MC having much of the same social issues and it just makes my heart warm.

They really really put so much care into the writing for this game. <3

[strawberryteacup]

Oh man, when I saw the option to cover my ears at the fireworks, I got a little weepy. I personally love fireworks and don't have a problem with loud noises when I'm fully aware of what I signed up for, but part of me was glad someone even thought of it. It's so wonderful to feel included!

[AmberBean]

I also kind of thought that at times, and I thought it was really neat. Cove really is the kind of character that everyone can love.

[Verlys Gaming LIfe]

I've been diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder, chronic depression and agoraphobia. I am also demisexual. I've said many time on this board how long I'd been a patron for GBpatch. I've had the privilege of watching Cove grow from a concept into a living breathing person. I don't care of he's a character in a game. What GB patch accomplished often had me in tears as we got each new beta with a new moment to test and play. I saw myself in Cove so many times during the development of the game.

I also often talked to the main dev if there was something that triggered my anxiety in the first draft of whatever moment it was and later on I would see a rewrite that was less stressful on the reader.

(for example. the dinner scene with Cove and his family if you told him about the money (if you took that 20$ or not.) in one's head you know that it was all about Cove and his family but anyone with anxiety...we are all in our own heads and all we would want to do is assure Cove that we are either sorry for taking it or telling him we never did.

The whole conversation about the money between Cove and the MC when they go over to the MC's home after the argument read differently. it kind of read as if you took the money regardless if you did or not. the bit where Cove straight out says "it doesn't matter if you took it or not you wouldn't pretend to be my friend for 10 years" and the couple bits after that were added due to my very real panic attack over the first draft. he did say in that draft that he wasn't mad at the MC he was mad at his dad, but all I still wanted to do in that particular play through was tell him that that MC had never taken the money and my anxiety skyrocketed. I had played other MC's that did take the money so it wasn't that issue itself that triggered it. it was the way everything was originally paced and how it was said in the original script. :)

*I'm so glad that was changed so anyone else with extreme anxiety got the version that made it into the game. :)*

I don't know where they got inspiration for the demi stuff because they were so on point I was often in tears. I've never experienced a game like this where I have an example to show someone if someone doesn't understand when Is say "I'm a demi" I can't believe I can now say. "play this. You'll understand me little better. :

[Ardenian]

Thanks for the insight, Verlys Gaming Life, that sound lovely! I am glad that it was changed to what it is now and appreciate it.

[padfootprophet]

Being autistic (and also asexual, hi) and seeing these things reflected in a character who's always loved and supported and isn't treated like there's a problem is just gah! Honestly this game makes me cry a bunch for really good reasons

[GB Patch]

Thank you so much for your thoughts. It's really wonderful to hear you felt the experience was so positive. There's people on the team who are on the ace spectrum and those who are neurodivergent and we're glad to have those qualities come through.

[SimplyUnknown]

Originally posted by strawberryteacup:

Oh man, when I saw the option to cover my ears at the fireworks, I got a little weepy. I personally love fireworks and don't have a problem with loud noises when I'm fully aware of what I signed up for, but part of me was glad someone even thought of it. It's so wonderful to feel included!

I am so grateful I bought the DLC just for this exact point. I used to cover my ears a lot as a kid when I was in loud spaces like school cafeterias, movie theaters, and during fireworks shows. I wasn't diagnosed with Asperger's until I was in my early teens, so my parents usually told me to take my hands off when I was a kid. So just letting Jamie have the option to cover their ears and being supported by their moms was so incredibly heartwarming to me. Thank you so much for this beautiful moment!

[Faye Strawberry]

I love your post, strawberryteacup :) And your username!

I'm still on my first playthrough, but as soon as Cove told my character that he figured out he is demisexual, I immediately saved and quit so I could come to the forums to post about it. I have never seen demisexuality represented in anything I've watched/played/read! It took me so long to figure out that 'demisexual' is the best label for me because it's barely spoken about compared to gay, bisexual and straight. I was stunned (in a good way) when I read that line! <3

[Adoru]

Exactly, some of my friends are officially diagnosed, and I suspect I'm on autism spectrum as well, not confirmed though, and I'm quite sure, that Cove is clearly the same: too many similarities.