Diversity, Equity & Inclusion in the Field of Gaming

Video games can be highly engrossing as they let players escape into a transcendent world of fantasy and wild imagination. What keeps gamers hooked is the immersive experience that allows them to be who they want to be and conquer the impossible, granting instant gratification from wins and the collectibles available for grabs. Interestingly, another important aspect of player engagement is fulfilling the relatability and relevance that gamers seek in the surreal realms that the games present. Players look to identify with the characters and their backstory for a sense of belonging and affirmation. Hence, representation plays a key role in providing more authentic and inclusive gaming experiences. However, this is often overlooked in the gaming world.

In fact, the gaming industry is criticized for its skewed representation of people and depiction of harmful stereotypes. Predominantly, the protagonist in the gaming arena is restricted to white males. Whereas female avatars are often sexualized or are designed as merely support characters. Also, representation of marginalized groups such as the LGBTQ+ and disability community is a rarity in video games. So, what game developers fail to realize is the diversity immanent in the global market and gaming as a medium of expression that should empower and acknowledge everyone.

When certain groups are consistently underrepresented and stereotyped in games, they prevent a portion of players from enjoying the escapism that video games are played for, as these gamers would not see any resemblance in the characters they play. Furthermore, many players are led to believe that these groups are almost non-existent or develop false assumptions about them. Due to this, certain groups of players become victims of microaggressions within the gaming and larger community.

Therefore, presentation of more varied characterizations and themes in terms of genders, ethnicities, sexual orientations, and cultures, can induce tolerance, acceptance, and affinity among gamers. By ensuring that everyone has the same opportunities to take part and advance in the game, game designers can create a fair, more positive, and comfortable gaming environment. Which in turn will contribute to attracting and retaining more players.

The gaming scene appears to be progressing with some of the more recent contemporaries showcasing meaningful representations of different ethnicities and sexualities; we also see some female characters taking the center stage. Few notable examples of this include Hades’s Zagreus (Bisexual), Athena (Black woman), Hermes (East Asian), and Dionysus (South Asian); upcoming GTA 6’s Lucia (Latina female protagonist), Horizon: Zero Dawn’s Aloy (powerful female protagonist), and Bloodhound’s Gibraltar (Māori descent Gay). Thus, gaming is changing, however there is a long way to go as we are yet to see more and more games that cater to a diverse consumer base.

When game developers include diverse characters and unique experiences, they enable a bigger population to see themselves in the characters they control, by which the game gains a larger pool of players.

However, creating such experiences is one of the greatest challenges that game development teams face today as they need to overcome their implicit biases. Welcoming developers from all walks of life, would bring different perspectives and help portray more authentic stories and characters to elevate game play. So, to build gaming content that embrace diversity, equity and inclusion, gaming companies need to first foster the same values within their creative teams, technical teams and hiring practices.

In essence, embracing diversity, equity, and inclusion isn't just about creating better games—it's about fostering a more inclusive gaming community where everyone feels seen, heard, and valued. Together, let's level up the gaming industry by prioritizing diversity and inclusion in all aspects of game development.

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