I don’t know what I ate, but it hit me at top Inosuke “coming through” speed. I needed to keep my mind off the pain, so I joined a chill yet fast-paced 60 Starred Goldfish Sushi Party (and the host threw in a few Maws as a thank-you). Honestly, I wasn’t feeling social that day and knew by 1 p.m. that my conversations would be limited to my therapist, the friendly grocery store clerk I always chat with, and my partner. Still, it was soothing to watch my character stir rice with her back to the crowd—almost as soothing as the chicken and corn chowder I’d had for lunch. With my digestive fate still uncertain, I sank into the moment and joined my character as she focused on quickly stirring her rice pot to avoid being locked out of that round. 

I’ve been immersed in Palia like this before. I remember fishing off the De Mer Dock with my character, searching for the new XL Shark Fin plush. I zoned out, only to snap back when we landed the plush—like she’d taken over the controller while I was gone. I guess that makes sense, since she looks just like me. Like me, she dresses up for special occasions, loves to garden, and hoards items she might need someday but probably never will. Unlike me, though, she has an endless money bin where she can sell off her excess junk. A girl can dream. 

Creating a character in my own image goes far beyond cooking parties or Elderwood plush hunts. It gives me a sense of belonging—one that deepens both my connection to the game and to its community. In academia, the concept of a sense of belonging is nothing new. I first encountered it through Dr. Terrell Strayhorn’s research on how marginalized groups persist in environments that don’t always support their success. At its core, the concept is simple: when people feel like they belong, they’re more likely to overcome challenges. But Palia isn’t a university, and I’m not fighting to prove myself in order to survive. So why does diverse character creation in a game like Palia matter so much to me? 

I realized it’s because it allows me to dream. It lets me see myself—a Black woman gamer—as someone worthy of existing in a world not defined by how much physical or emotional labor I can produce. In Palia, I can run freely as a fairy princess, chasing magical creatures with my twisted coils, full lips, and sun-kissed skin. The subtle touches of inclusion may seem small or unnecessary to some, and that’s okay. For me, they’ve built a gaming world where I can show up fully as myself just like I do in the real one.  

Palia as free-to-play, cozy sim game by Singularity 6. It is available on available on PC, Switch, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S.