Inclusive Gaming

In the last 10 years alone, we've seen an increase in the consumer base of video games. An increase that could be attributed to some degree to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. This new growth in the consumer base means that players from all types of backgrounds, ages, and genders are now logging in to play video games across different platforms and gaming systems. As these new players browse and navigate through different genres of games and gameplay styles, players tend to look for video games that can provide an experience and an element that they can relate to or feel represented in. This sentiment is reflected in the statistics provided from the GLAAD Gaming Report and Newzoo's article "Diversity and Representation are Becoming More Important for Video Game Audiences" by Minh Tue Le Ngoc.

In Minh Tue Le Ngoc's article, she discusses various statistics gathered from video games audiences of different generations. The data is representative of different generations and how important the criteria of diversity is to them. In the data, we can see that 66% or more of Millennials, Gen Z, and Gen Alpha audiences agree that diversity is important to them in video games. This large percentage reveals a demand from audience for more diversity in gaming. This in turn provides an opportunity for major studios like Activision, Blizzard, and Ubisoft to increase their consumer base by addressing this.

Th GLAAD Gaming Report reveals a similar sentiment. The data gathered in this report provides various examples that discuss the different aspects of diversity and inclusion in gaming and the opinions of LGBTQ+ gamers versus non-LGBTQ+ gamers. Categories like gender and sexuality representation, character customization, or a diverse cast are overwhelming popular demands from the LGBTQ+ consumer base to improve the gaming experience.

There is a key reason as to why addressing these aspects in gaming are important. Just like how a typical cisgendered and heterosexual white man plays video games as a release or escape, their counterparts play it for just the same reasons. Seeing better representation and diversity in gaming amplifies the experience in gameplay and relatability to the characters. Addressing this consumer base can help game studios gather devoted fanbases to support their work enthusiastically. And most importantly, it creates a digital safe space for fans of all backgrounds, colors, and identities to express themselves creatively. As media across the board gradually moves to become a more diverse, video games should follow in suit.

Works Cited:

Le Ngoc, M. T. (2023, August 1). Diversity and Representation are Becoming More Important for Video Game Audiences [Review of Diversity and Representation for Video Game]. Newzoo. https://newzoo.com/resources/blog/diversity-and-representation-video-games-2023

‌GLAAD Gaming Report.pdf