Fans of Minecraft, I have found another free open platform game that you can play with your clients during their telehealth sessions! My understanding is that Bloxd.IO is similar to Minecraft but different in ways that make them liable for copyright infringement. Isn’t that cool?
To play with clients, go to the website, type in a nickname (nicknames must be a minimum of four characters), select the time of world you want to play in, select “Join Name,” and choose a number code for your room.
Your client will follow the same steps: pull up the main website, choose a nickname, select the same type of world you selected, choose “Join Name,” input the same code you input, and they will join you in your game room.
Game rooms are not encrypted, and in theory any player who is able to guess the number you input could join your game. However, if you are using a HIPAA-compliant telehealth platform like Zoom, this will not be an issue. If strangers join your game, you might decide how you want to interact with them without indicating that this is a therapy session, or you can both exit the game and create a new, empty room.
There are 12 room types available. I have not played them all, and since I am not a Minecraft/Bloxd expert, I do not know what all the options entail. However, I know that Survival mode means possibly battling hordes. You and your client can play cooperatively and protect each other, or you can decide to battle each other. In Creative and Peaceful modes, you are not battling and instead might work together to create something.
One Block mode is also fun for kids who like creative play – you start off standing on a single block and build your world from there.
As I write this post, Bloxd.IO has an option for a Murder Mystery game, though it is listed as available for a “limited time.” This seems like it could be fun with a group! I wasn’t able to find a way to join a pre-loaded room with other players with a guarantee that you and your client end up in the same space, so you might not be able to join a group game in an individual session like you can with Roblox.
I like this platform for creative expression and building activities. Although I prefer building to battling, the fighting activities can also be a great outlet for aggression and processing feelings of anger.
Happy playing!