<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><!DOCTYPE article PUBLIC "-//NLM//DTD Journal Publishing DTD v2.0 20040830//EN" "journalpublishing.dtd"><article xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" dtd-version="2.0" xml:lang="en" article-type="letter"><front><journal-meta><journal-id journal-id-type="nlm-ta">JMIR Serious Games</journal-id><journal-id journal-id-type="publisher-id">games</journal-id><journal-id journal-id-type="index">15</journal-id><journal-title>JMIR Serious Games</journal-title><abbrev-journal-title>JMIR Serious Games</abbrev-journal-title><issn pub-type="epub">2291-9279</issn><publisher><publisher-name>JMIR Publications</publisher-name><publisher-loc>Toronto, Canada</publisher-loc></publisher></journal-meta><article-meta><article-id pub-id-type="publisher-id">v13i1e73034</article-id><article-id pub-id-type="doi">10.2196/73034</article-id><article-categories><subj-group subj-group-type="heading"><subject>Letter to the Editor</subject></subj-group></article-categories><title-group><article-title>Authors&#x2019; Reply: Is the Pinball Machine a Blind Spot in Serious Games Research?</article-title></title-group><contrib-group><contrib contrib-type="author" corresp="yes"><name name-style="western"><surname>Rodr&#x00ED;guez Timan&#x00E1;</surname><given-names>Luis Carlos</given-names></name><degrees>MSc</degrees><xref ref-type="aff" rid="aff1">1</xref></contrib><contrib contrib-type="author"><name name-style="western"><surname>Castillo Garc&#x00ED;a</surname><given-names>Javier Ferney</given-names></name><degrees>MSc, PhD</degrees><xref ref-type="aff" rid="aff2">2</xref></contrib><contrib contrib-type="author"><name name-style="western"><surname>Bastos Filho</surname><given-names>Teodiano</given-names></name><degrees>MSc, PhD</degrees><xref ref-type="aff" rid="aff3">3</xref></contrib><contrib contrib-type="author"><name name-style="western"><surname>Ocampo Gonz&#x00E1;lez</surname><given-names>Alvaro Alexander</given-names></name><degrees>MSc, PhD</degrees><xref ref-type="aff" rid="aff4">4</xref></contrib><contrib contrib-type="author"><name name-style="western"><surname>Hincapi&#x00E9; Monsalve</surname><given-names>Nazly Rocio</given-names></name><degrees>ING</degrees><xref ref-type="aff" rid="aff1">1</xref></contrib><contrib contrib-type="author"><name name-style="western"><surname>Valencia Jimenez</surname><given-names>Nicolas Jacobo</given-names></name><degrees>MSc, PhD</degrees><xref ref-type="aff" rid="aff1">1</xref></contrib></contrib-group><aff id="aff1"><institution>Faculty of Engineering, Universidad Santiago de Cali</institution><addr-line>Calle 5 # 62-00 - Pampalinda</addr-line><addr-line>Santiago de Cali</addr-line><country>Colombia</country></aff><aff id="aff2"><institution>Faculty of Engineering, Universidad Aut&#x00F3;noma de Occidente</institution><addr-line>Cali</addr-line><country>Colombia</country></aff><aff id="aff3"><institution>Faculty of Engineering, Universidade Federal do Esp&#x00ED;rito Santo</institution><addr-line>Espiritu Santo</addr-line><country>Brazil</country></aff><aff id="aff4"><institution>Faculty of Health, Universidad Santiago de Cali</institution><addr-line>Santiago de Cali</addr-line><country>Colombia</country></aff><contrib-group><contrib contrib-type="editor"><name name-style="western"><surname>Majekodunmi</surname><given-names>Dola</given-names></name></contrib></contrib-group><author-notes><corresp>Correspondence to Luis Carlos Rodr&#x00ED;guez Timan&#x00E1;, MSc, Faculty of Engineering, Universidad Santiago de Cali, Calle 5 # 62-00 - Pampalinda, Santiago de Cali, 763022, Colombia, 57 3234664283; <email>luis.rodriguez11@usc.edu.co</email></corresp></author-notes><pub-date pub-type="collection"><year>2025</year></pub-date><pub-date pub-type="epub"><day>2</day><month>4</month><year>2025</year></pub-date><volume>13</volume><elocation-id>e73034</elocation-id><history><date date-type="received"><day>23</day><month>02</month><year>2025</year></date><date date-type="accepted"><day>11</day><month>03</month><year>2025</year></date></history><copyright-statement>&#x00A9; Luis Carlos Rodr&#x00ED;guez Timan&#x00E1;, Javier Ferney Castillo Garc&#x00ED;a, Teodiano Bastos Filho, Alvaro Alexander Ocampo Gonz&#x00E1;lez, Nazly Rocio Hincapi&#x00E9; Monsalve, Nicolas Jacobo Valencia Jimenez. Originally published in JMIR Serious Games (<ext-link ext-link-type="uri" xlink:href="https://games.jmir.org">https://games.jmir.org</ext-link>), 2.4.2025. </copyright-statement><copyright-year>2025</copyright-year><license license-type="open-access" xlink:href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"><p>This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (<ext-link ext-link-type="uri" xlink:href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/">https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/</ext-link>), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work, first published in JMIR Serious Games, is properly cited. The complete bibliographic information, a link to the original publication on <ext-link ext-link-type="uri" xlink:href="https://games.jmir.org">https://games.jmir.org</ext-link>, as well as this copyright and license information must be included.</p></license><self-uri xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="https://games.jmir.org/2025/1/e73034"/><related-article related-article-type="commentary" ext-link-type="doi" xlink:href="10.2196/59053" xlink:title="Comment on" xlink:type="simple">https://games.jmir.org/2024/1/e59053</related-article><related-article related-article-type="commentary" ext-link-type="doi" xlink:href="10.2196/72354" xlink:title="Comment on" xlink:type="simple">https://games.jmir.org/2025/1/e72354</related-article><kwd-group><kwd>serious games</kwd><kwd>research</kwd><kwd>interventions</kwd><kwd>arcade technology</kwd><kwd>digital game paradigm</kwd><kwd>pinball gaming</kwd><kwd>arcade gaming</kwd><kwd>executive functions</kwd><kwd>neurodiversity</kwd><kwd>cognitive training</kwd><kwd>therapeutic interventions</kwd></kwd-group></article-meta></front><body><p>We appreciate the insightful comments and reflections from the author of the letter [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="ref1">1</xref>] regarding our study on the impact of serious games on executive functions and their application in neurodiverse populations [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="ref2">2</xref>]. The suggestion to consider pinball machines as a tool within the serious games paradigm presents an interesting avenue for further exploration.</p><p>At the time of our study, our focus was primarily on conventional and emerging digital technologies, such as virtual reality, mobile devices, and sensor-based interactions. However, we acknowledge that pinball, with its unique combination of physical and digital interactions, may offer valuable cognitive and therapeutic benefits, particularly in the context of executive function training. The references provided in the letter [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="ref1">1</xref>] highlight historical and recent research supporting its potential applications in various populations, reinforcing the idea that this arcade technology could play a role in future serious game developments.</p><p>Given the evidence presented on pinball&#x2019;s ability to engage attention, impulse control, cognitive flexibility, and problem-solving skills, we recognize its potential as a tool to enhance executive function training. Future work in this area could explore the adaptation of pinball mechanics within digital serious games or investigate its direct application as a therapeutic tool in controlled settings.</p><p>Additionally, we acknowledge that the development of assistive technologies for neurodiverse populations often encounters blind spots, where certain tools or approaches are overlooked. Our intention with the published paper is to provide a road map for researchers, highlighting that there remains substantial work to be done in this area. By identifying these gaps, we aim to offer a starting point for ongoing and future investigations.</p><p>Several studies have underscored the challenges and opportunities in designing technologies for neurodiverse users. For instance, Frauenberger et al [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="ref3">3</xref>] discuss the importance of involving neurodiverse children in the technology design process to ensure that their unique needs are met. Similarly, Benton and Johnson [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="ref4">4</xref>] highlight lessons from neurodiverse communities, emphasizing the necessity of tailored technological interventions. These perspectives reinforce the need for comprehensive research and development efforts to address the diverse requirements of neurodiverse populations.</p><p>We thank the author of the letter [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="ref1">1</xref>] for broadening the discussion on serious game technologies. Their insights open the door to new interdisciplinary research possibilities that could further enrich this field.</p></body><back><fn-group><fn fn-type="conflict"><p>None declared.</p></fn></fn-group><ref-list><title>References</title><ref id="ref1"><label>1</label><nlm-citation citation-type="journal"><person-group person-group-type="author"><name name-style="western"><surname>Eckardt</surname><given-names>JP</given-names> </name></person-group><article-title>Is the pinball machine a blind spot in serious games research?</article-title><source>JMIR Serious Games</source><year>2025</year><volume>13</volume><fpage>e72354</fpage><pub-id pub-id-type="doi">10.2196/72354</pub-id></nlm-citation></ref><ref id="ref2"><label>2</label><nlm-citation citation-type="journal"><person-group person-group-type="author"><name name-style="western"><surname>Rodr&#x00ED;guez Timan&#x00E1;</surname><given-names>LC</given-names> </name><name name-style="western"><surname>Castillo Garc&#x00ED;a</surname><given-names>JF</given-names> </name><name name-style="western"><surname>Bastos Filho</surname><given-names>T</given-names> </name><name name-style="western"><surname>Ocampo Gonz&#x00E1;lez</surname><given-names>AA</given-names> </name><name name-style="western"><surname>Hincapi&#x00E9; Monsalve</surname><given-names>NR</given-names> </name><name name-style="western"><surname>Valencia Jimenez</surname><given-names>NJ</given-names> </name></person-group><article-title>Use of serious games in interventions of executive functions in neurodiverse children: systematic review</article-title><source>JMIR Serious Games</source><year>2024</year><month>12</month><day>18</day><volume>12</volume><fpage>e59053</fpage><pub-id pub-id-type="doi">10.2196/59053</pub-id><pub-id pub-id-type="medline">39693133</pub-id></nlm-citation></ref><ref id="ref3"><label>3</label><nlm-citation citation-type="journal"><person-group person-group-type="author"><name name-style="western"><surname>Frauenberger</surname><given-names>C</given-names> </name><name name-style="western"><surname>Good</surname><given-names>J</given-names> </name><name name-style="western"><surname>Keay-Bright</surname><given-names>W</given-names> </name></person-group><article-title>Designing technology for children with special needs: bridging perspectives through participatory design</article-title><source>CoDesign</source><year>2011</year><month>03</month><volume>7</volume><issue>1</issue><fpage>1</fpage><lpage>28</lpage><pub-id pub-id-type="doi">10.1080/15710882.2011.587013</pub-id></nlm-citation></ref><ref id="ref4"><label>4</label><nlm-citation citation-type="journal"><person-group person-group-type="author"><name name-style="western"><surname>Benton</surname><given-names>L</given-names> </name><name name-style="western"><surname>Johnson</surname><given-names>H</given-names> </name></person-group><article-title>Widening participation in technology design: a review of the involvement of children with special educational needs and disabilities</article-title><source>Int J Child Comput Interact</source><year>2015</year><volume>3-4</volume><fpage>23</fpage><lpage>40</lpage><pub-id pub-id-type="doi">10.1016/j.ijcci.2015.07.001</pub-id></nlm-citation></ref></ref-list></back></article>