Boston University researchers have developed GEODE (Gathering Evidence to Optimize Decisions), an Indiana Jones-inspired video game designed to measure visual perception and decision-making across the full autism spectrum — including minimally verbal individuals who are often excluded from traditional research. The game teaches players its rules through gameplay alone, with no instructions, making it uniquely accessible.

In a study published in Science Advances, 300 adolescents aged 11–17 (over 200 with autism) played the game. While most players could adapt as difficulty increased, autistic teens showed a notably steeper learning curve. The core finding: autistic players struggled more with perceptual integration — the ability to accumulate sensory evidence over time to form a coherent picture of the world.

Key Takeaways:

• GEODE requires no instructions, enabling participation across the full autism spectrum
• The primary deficit identified was in perceptual integration, or "noisy evidence accumulation"
• Researchers plan to add auditory stimuli to future versions, as auditory sensitivities are especially prominent in autism
• The game may serve as a translational bridge between animal models and human autism research

Why it matters: Current autism research tools often exclude profoundly autistic or minimally verbal individuals. GEODE offers a scalable, engaging way to study cognition across the spectrum — and could eventually serve as an outcome measure for evaluating future treatments.