Like our ever-evolving world, video games have come a long way from where they started. Beyond simply being a fun pastime, video games now tackle significant issues head-on and provide players with representations of diverse characters that are rarely seen in other mediums. In this article, we explore the progress being made to unlock diversity and break through long-standing barriers with representation in video games.
1. What is Representation in Video Games?
Representation in video games refers to the way people of different identities and backgrounds are portrayed in the games. While historically there has been a lack of representation for certain groups, in recent years, more developers are striving to make sure their games reflect the diverse world we live in.
At a basic level, representation is the inclusion characters that look and act like real people. It’s about showing complicated characters with identities that aren’t limited to just their race, gender or sexuality. It’s also about the decisions these characters make and the mannerisms that they use to express themselves. Another important aspect of representation is the storyline. That means the story must center on a character with one of the marginalized backgrounds, not just a side character or an antagonist. Doing this will mean that these groups won’t be lumped into stereotypes or used as comedic relief.
- Racial Representation — the characters don’t have to be a traditionally light-skinned protagonist, and their race does not need to be the most important factor of their identity.
- Gender Representation — characters should be allowed to express themselves freely and shouldn’t be pigeonholed into traditional gender roles.
- Sexual Orientation Representation — this means there should be characters of different sexual orientations, and not just all straight or gay.
- Physical Representation — character models should a variety of body sizes, alluding to the fact that not everyone is fit or has an hourglass figure.
2. Exploring the Benefits of Unlocking Diversity
Diversity has a powerful impact on the workforce and can help organizations succeed. Unlocking diversity can provide numerous advantages, from inspiration to perspective and from creativity to collaboration. Here are some of the main benefits of unlocking diversity at the workplace.
- Inspired Solutions: A workplace with multiple backgrounds brings different experiences and perspectives, which can help discover innovative solutions to a problem.
- Improved Reputation: Businesses that embrace workplace diversity become more credible and respected among customers, partners, investors and the general public.
- Greater Collaboration: A diverse workplace encourages collaboration between individuals of different backgrounds. This helps enhance productivity and foster team spirit.
When unlock diversity in the workplace, organizations create an environment where all individuals are respected regardless of their background. This can serve as a strong foundation for individuals to reach their potential, while benefiting the organization in the long run.
3. Breaking Barriers and Expanding Possibilities
From becoming the first woman to win a Nobel Prize to leading the Civil Rights Movement, women have constantly proven their capability and potential. Throughout history, they have often pushed through societal barriers that have stood in their way, unleashing possibilities that no one prior had ever dared to dream of!
Today, more than ever, women are taking their rightful place in society and shattering the glass ceiling in every field from sports to entertainment to science. Armed with courage and ambition, women are now even making their way into the world of politics as never-before seen leaders. They are proving that no barrier is too difficult to break if you have the vision and determination to best it.
- Inventing – creating new products and technologies that enhance living standards
- Advancing – creating new research, theories, and processes within their field
- Inspiring – demonstrating the potential within every woman, no matter their background, race, or creed
Women are not just breaking down barriers; they are also continuously expanding what was thought to be impossible. By their very presence, women are showing the world what they are capable of:
4. Taking Steps Toward Inclusion in the Gaming World
Now that you know the basics of gaming culture and why it’s important to be inclusive in that world, let’s talk about what you can do to help. Here are some steps you can take toward inclusion:
- Reach Out – Start conversations with people of different genders, religious and ethnic backgrounds, and ages to get an understanding of their viewpoint. Not only will this help game developers to become more aware of additionality, but it will also help foster appreciation for diverse perspectives.
- Advocate and Educate – It’s easy to stay quiet when you’re not being discriminated against, but speaking up is important. If you see or hear something that isn’t respectful to others, say something. Also, don’t forget to talk to developers about inclusionary practices, as they’re essential to keeping the gaming world a safe and secure place for everyone.
- Be Generous with Feedback – Offer detailed feedback on games and other materials, as this helps developers to get a better understanding of your needs and preferences. For example, if you think the games you play are too short or restrictive in terms of gender identity, let developers know and ask them to take your feedback into consideration during the development process.
Including marginalized communities and making sure everyone can be part of the gaming culture is more important now than ever. These steps will make a positive impact on the gaming world, and can help to create a more respectful and inclusive space for everyone.
It’s clear that video games have the potential to reflect the full diversity of the people who play them. By unlocking existing barriers and exploring more inclusive perspectives, the industry can build a gaming landscape that reflects and celebrates the backgrounds of all its players. With a little effort, gaming could become more representative and create a world of imaginative possibility for everyone.
As the gaming industry continues to grow, demands have emerged for increased representation in the video games themselves. This demand has been based on the recognition that in order to open the gaming industry to all, regardless of background, it is important to have characters in the games that are representative of different cultures, identities, and backgrounds. In this article, we will discuss the importance of games as a platform for diversity and representation, as well as how these issues are being addressed.
With the rise of the gaming industry, video games have begun to be viewed as an effective medium for representation and inclusion. Cultural representations, always vital to understanding view-points and lives of others, provide a route for opening our minds and hearts to those around us. Video games, with their potential for artistry, interactivity, and story-telling provide a powerful tool for educating and engaging players in nuanced conversations related to identity and representation.
Game developers are beginning to understand the importance of increasing diversity in gaming. While still in its infancy, many companies are now creating content that features characters and narratives from marginalized backgrounds. There has been increasing pressure on companies to create games with diverse characters, and as designers gain experience and insight, the industry is starting to make progress.
For example, new games on the market feature narratives that represent North American and Pan-Asian Pacific communities, Indigenous Peoples, gender and sexual identities, people of color, and even differently-abled characters. The goal is to create interactive platforms that allow players not only to immerse themselves in the game, but to interact with and understand cultures they may not be familiar with.
Still, there are challenges that the industry faces. Studies suggest that even when characters are created to represent different identities, they often take on the same personality and character traits as characters of a white male dominance. Therefore, it is important for developers to take the time to understand the particular elements of a character’s identity, and create games that are true-to-life representations.
As the gaming industry continues to grow, we must keep in mind the importance of diversity and representation. For the industry to remain a cultural trendsetter — and remain relevant — it is essential to create characters and narratives that can engage people of all backgrounds. Ultimately, it is only through understanding and involving those from a variety of backgrounds that the industry can fully unlock its potential.