Female-led games are few and far between, and ones with compelling storylines are even rarer.Open Roads, a 'mother-daughter road trip adventure', aims to change that, inviting players to investigate a family mystery. Gamers aren’t just teen boys, and they want stories to be as diverse as they are.

The popularity of video games reached new heights amid the pandemic, as housebound Americans found entertainment in virtual worlds. But they also found companionship via gaming, sometimes at the expense of IRL communication, creating room for brands to help gamers find balance.

Queer characters in media have come a long way since Ellen DeGeneres’ career was temporarily ruined because she, and her eponymous sitcom character, came out as a lesbian in 1997. But while the music industry and TV shows are now queerer than ever before, how do video games compare?

Video games may conjure up imagery of ultra-fantasy but can these play a positive role in mental health? Canvas8 spoke to Joe Donnelly, author ofCheckpoint: How Video Games Power Up Minds, Kick Ass, and Save Lives, to understand the benefits of gaming that transcend entertainment.