The gaming industry has been a leading sector of entertainment and narrative for years, but only recently has it started to emphasize such concepts as diversity and inclusion. As the player base expanded, people appealed to the issue of representation in gaming more, and it started to influence gaming development, storytelling, and the overall approach to gaming.
Though the focus on diversity and inclusion in the gaming industry reshaped the players’ experience significantly, it had an even more beneficial impact on the gaming community on the whole. To exemplify, past case studies showcased the advantages of the emphasis on diversity in gaming and provided some essential takeaways for the future of this expanding sector.
Representation in Gaming: Why It Matters
The issue of representation became evident to the gaming industry as developers realized the player base’s diversity in terms of identity, backgrounds, and experiences. Before more people started playing games, many of the products presented a rather standardized and exclusive background, failing to reflect the diversity of the population in reality.
The Last of Us Part II and Life is Strange addressed this problem by incorporating LGBTQ+ characters and their relationships to make the gameplay more inclusive and appealing. Such characters’ presence in games is crucial, as 75% of players said that it affects their enjoyment and engagement with the games, as revealed by the Newzoo survey. Consequently, by 2025, about 60% or more of the most prominent game releases will encompass racial diversity, gender inclusivity, and different sexual orientations of characters, impacting the overall inclusiveness of the gaming experience and the relatability of the gaming narrative. Therefore, modern gaming’s future development implies a strong emphasis on the development of complex characters.
The Players’ Perspective: How Representation Enhances Experience
- Relatability: Seeing oneself in a game increases the respect with which a player engages with the game.
- Community Building: Inclusive storytelling fosters a welcoming environment, encouraging players from different cultures and heritages to feel part of the game.
- Expanding Narratives: Diverse representation enables unique and memorable stories.
- Social Awareness: Diverse stories highlight social issues affecting various communities.
- Cultural Recognition: Recognizable heritages in characters make diverse players feel accommodated.
- Positive Role Models: Inspirational characters who overcome obstacles resonate with players.
- Commercial Success: Research indicates games with diverse characters attract 50% more players.
The Role of Inclusive Game Development
Development of games has over the years included the art of inclusivity of different cultural heritages and their respective social aspects. This has been quite the growth considering that in the past, most development teams either included a more dominant culture or heritage from the marketing areas. A call for EA and Ubisoft to include an increased number of development teams in their game development process highlights the need for cultural representation in these teams.
Case Studies: Examples of Inclusive Game Development
In the past few years, the development of games has taken a reformative path. Modern-day game developers include different people and heritages in their processes. Assassin’s Creed: Origins by Ubisoft serves as an example, as the team involved multicultural representatives, particularly from ancient Egyptian cultures, ensuring a more authentic and engaging gameplay experience.
Accessibility in Gaming: Reaching a Broader Audience
Inclusion in gaming goes beyond character portrayal, stretching into accessibility. Games such as The Last of Us Part II have been groundbreaking in providing customizable on-screen aids, audio cues, and detailed accessibility settings, catering to a diverse range of players.
Key Accessibility Features
- Custom Controls: Tailored for players with mobility limitations.
- Visual Aids: Options such as dark mode, subtitles, and colorblind modes.
- Audio Cues: Enhancements for deaf gamers to engage with sounds and music.
- Difficulty Adjustments: Scalable difficulty levels for all skill levels.
- Text Size Options: Improved readability for those with visual impairments.
- Alternate Input Devices: Compatibility with specially designed controllers.
- Detailed Tutorials: Easy onboarding for new players.
The Future of Diversity in Gaming
Inclusivity will continue to play a significant role in shaping the gaming experience. By 2030, 70% of gaming companies are expected to adopt diversity policies. Players increasingly demand games that reflect global diversity, creating authentic narratives that act as social tools.
Community Contributions: Players as Advocates
Players have played a critical role in pushing for representation by leveraging social media and forums to demand change. Companies like Naughty Dog and Bioware have responded, strengthening their commitment to diversity and fairness.
Conclusion
The gaming industry’s commitment to diversity and inclusion will redefine the player experience, transforming it into a space that respects and embraces all players. As this journey continues, the gaming culture will evolve, leaving a lasting legacy of innovation, representation, and social impact.
