In Digital Playgrounds’ second book, Learning & Connecting Through Games, we will explore the role of games as tools in our 21st-century lives and how they can connect us, teach us new skills and new information, and foster positive mental health.

The Psychgeist of Pop Culture: The Witcher delves into the psychology of the characters and stories of this popular franchise. In this series of edited essays, we explore the psychology behind what makes this fandom so captivating and answer why—in The Continent filled with magic—we found ourselves and our lives reflected within it.

The Digital Playgrounds is a six-book series that will roll out throughout the next few years and address some of the most pressing issues parents face as their children explore digital worlds.

This book is part of The Psychgeist of Pop Culture collection published by ETC Press. This book series highlights iconic pop culture content from television, film, literature, and video games by examining the psychological mechanisms that endear us to these stories for a lifetime. Chapters in this book will explore a psychological theme or concept related to Stardew Valley.

Each chapter in this volume will ask if there are any philosophical, sociological or psychological concepts, theories or mechanisms that may be useful or insightful in understanding this superb illustration of our popular culture. Below are some suggested themes to explore, feel free to tweak an existing one or alternatively suggest your own.