Discusses in-game and off-game design strategies to represent & include intersectional identities & create play spaces that feel safer for people of all genders, sexualities, and ethnicities.
Description:
In order to create games that are both representative and inclusive of a variety of intersectional identities, game designers need to pay attention to how a game's setting, roles, genders, races, and classes are portrayed. Gaming archetypes such as fantasy races and tropes may be shortcuts to help players understand how to play more quickly, but they may also replicate subconscious societal norms that reinforce stereotypes, prejudices and assumptions that contribute to racism, misogyny, homophobia, and marginalization. The presentation has two parts: in-game design for inclusivity, which discusses character writing and world-building for the representation of identities, and off-game design for inclusivity, which includes community norms and player conduct expectations to create play spaces that feel safer for players of color, and people of all genders and sexualities.