Out Making Games’ Post

🌟 Celebrating Diversity in Gaming! 🌟 As a member of the video game industry, I'm excited to shine a spotlight on the recent introduction of Clove, the newest character in Valorant. Clove's arrival marks a significant milestone for inclusivity and representation in gaming. In an industry where diversity has often been overlooked, Valorant's decision to include a non-binary character like Clove is a powerful statement. It's a reminder that gaming is for everyone, regardless of gender identity or expression. Clove isn't just another character; they're a symbol of acceptance and visibility for non-binary individuals and the broader LGBTQ+ community. By featuring characters like Clove, games have the potential to foster empathy, understanding, and connection among players from all walks of life. As a community, we must continue to champion diversity and inclusivity in gaming. Whether we're developers, players, or industry professionals, we all have a role to play in creating a more inclusive environment where everyone feels welcome and represented. Congratulations to Riot Games and the team behind Valorant for taking this important step forward. Let's keep pushing boundaries, breaking stereotypes, and celebrating the diverse tapestry of identities that make our gaming community so vibrant and enriching. Together, we can build a future where everyone feels valued and respected in the games we love. 🎮🌟 #DiversityInGaming #Inclusivity #RepresentationMatters #Clove #Valorant

I've created, managed and lead teams and communities in gaming from casual to professional since my teenage years. One of the most important lessons I've learnt is understanding the player base of the game the community is built around, which can be done at any opportunity you meet another player. Learning who the players are is key as to ensure the space you are creating is inclusive and serving of the games range of personalities that it would interest. Blizzard for example has done an amazing job at building LGBTQ+ player bases ontop of the hard-core raiders and key pushers playing since Wrath and before. My WoW guild thrives on this inclusivity, attracting new players who quickly identify our core values and start returning daily to chat or engage in our community. We have non-binary leaders and members, female raid and M+ group leaders and many core members from the LGBTQ+ community. Toxic or exclusive mentality will always emerge in gaming where competitive collaboration is required to progress but there are always a source and ways to circumvent this defensive posture through communication and understanding. Cutting through with kindness and challenging perspectives has helped me learn that it's just a scale with players at polarising ends. The "toxic" players just want those dopamine driven wins first, whilst "fragile" players are looking for social engagement, escapism or just a place to be themselves. Be the force that helps players see encouragement and comradery can help bring these very different players of different backgrounds, skill levels or personalities together and build teams to take down the hardest of challanges, or build lasting meaningful relationships outside of gaming.

Continuing our Get into Games special, we explore the barriers facing folks from underrepresented groups. This panel offers advice on how people from minority backgrounds can contend with these barriers, and how games companies can remove them

According to Forbes, diversity and inclusion are essential components of successful organizations. This is especially true in the gaming industry, where diverse teams lead to more innovative and engaging content. The positive impact of diversity extends beyond social responsibility; it is a strategic imperative that drives success and positions companies for long-term sustainability. The International Game Developers Association emphasizes the need for equality in the industry, noting that diverse teams innovate faster and overcome obstacles more effectively. This team diversity leads to more innovative game designs and narratives that appeal to a broader range of players. The gaming audience is no longer a monolith but a diverse spectrum encompassing various genders, ethnicities, and identities. Studies reveal significant participation from women, Latinx, Black, Asian American, LGBTQIA+, and disabled gamers. This diversity in the audience necessitates a corresponding diversity in gaming narratives, characters, and development teams to create relatable and inclusive gaming experiences. Inclusive games foster a sense of belonging among players from different backgrounds, leading to positive word-of-mouth referrals, social relevance, and media attention, which drive user acquisition and monetization. Companies can tap into new market segments by embracing diversity. Efforts are being made industry-wide to increase representation and foster a more inclusive environment. Companies like Activision Blizzard, EA, Unity, and Riot Games are taking steps to increase diversity in their workforce and leadership roles. However, challenges remain, such as ensuring progress in diversity and inclusion is sustained and not lost due to changes in leadership or company policies. In summary, the gaming industry acknowledges the importance of diversity in creative teams. This diversity leads to more innovative and engaging content, reflects the diverse gaming demographic, and can improve company culture and profitability.

https://lnkd.in/djeHF_-y Women in Gaming: Breaking Barriers and Shaping the Future Introduction: The European gaming industry, often associated with glitz and glamour, is experiencing a transformative shift as women assert their presence and influence in various facets of the field. In this blog, we celebrate the achievements of women in the European gaming industry, shedding light on their contributions, leadership roles, and ongoing initiatives promoting diversity and inclusion...... #WomenInGaming #GamingLeaders #DiversityandInclusion #BreakingBarriers #GamingInnovation #LeadershipExcellence #EuropeanGaming #EqualityInGaming #MentorshipMatters #TechTrailblazers #GamingIndustryLeadership #SocialResponsibility #RegulatoryLandscape #GamingLaws #CareerInGaming #InclusiveWorkplace #ProfessionalDevelopment #ResponsibleGaming #CrossBorderOperations #GamingFuture #EmpowerWomen #IndustryAdvocacy #GamingProfessionals

🌈 As we dive into mid-July, let's keep the spirit of Pride alive beyond June! Last month, we explored the vibrant world of geek culture and gaming in our blog post "Queer Characters and Narratives in Role-Playing Style Games." 🎮 In this post, we celebrated the evolving landscape of queer representation in role-playing games (RPGs), highlighting how these games provide crucial spaces for identity exploration and inclusivity. Whether you're into Dungeons & Dragons or exploring digital realms like Baldur’s Gate III, these games offer avenues for LGBTQIA+ gamers to feel seen and represented. 🌟 From iconic queer protagonists to games that empower players to create inclusive characters, our blog delved into the diverse narratives and customizable experiences that shape the gaming community today. Celebrate gaming, celebrate diversity, and celebrate PRIDE! 🏳️🌈 Comment "Pride" for a link to the blog post, or visit our website to read more. #Pride #LGBTQIA #GamingCommunity #RolePlayingGames #GeekCulture #RepresentationMatters #NewHopeCounseling

"‼ Ubisoft is officially in trouble Details: 🟠 Insider **Endymion** revealed that Ubisoft spent an astonishing $650-850 million on the development of the failed game *Skull & Bones*, which took 11 years but only attracted a peak of 2,500 players. This is a major cause of Ubisoft's financial issues. 🟠 The upcoming *Assassin’s Creed: Hexe* is rumored to be the "most LGBTQ+ focused" in the series. 🟠 Ubisoft leadership is panicking over poor sales of *Star Wars: Outlaws* with only 1 million copies sold, compared to *Assassin's Creed: Mirage's* 5 million. 🟠 Delaying *Assassin’s Creed: Shadows* caused a 20% stock drop, unsettling investors. What's next: 🟠 Massive layoffs are expected within the company. 🟠 Major shareholders are pushing for a sale to Chinese giant Tencent. 🟠 Ubisoft shares continue to plummet, reaching 2013 levels." #Ubisoft #SkullAndBones #AssassinsCreed #StarWarsOutlaws #Tencent #GamingCrisis #VideoGames #Agenda #Nomoneynohoney

This is the reason why I am so unapologetically open about being gay in my profession because there needs to be more LGBTQ representation in not just advertising but in gaming too. Nearly 1 in 5 active gamers declare themselves as LGBTQ+, however GLAAD's new report find that despite growth in the gaming industry in the past 50 years, it's clear that LGBTQ representation has been notably lacking. The industry has yet to catch up with other media channels in adequately portraying LGBTQ individuals, but despite concerns of alienating certain audiences, we should consider that this could be an innocent oversight where gaming characters can be anyone you want them to be. Positively though, gamers overall are largely accepting of LGBTQ content in games. As the gaming community becomes more diverse, there's a clear call for greater LGBTQ representation in gaming. It's time for the industry to embrace inclusivity and reflect the desires of its audience.

Unbolting the future of esports through gender diversity! Discover how women and non-binary gamers are breaking barriers, challenging stereotypes, and transforming the gaming community into a more inclusive space. Click the link below to read the full article.

The chief executive officer of a leading team in the competitive gaming sector has stated that the upcoming event is set to attract a fresh wave of viewers. #IOC #esports #OlympicEsportsGames #LGBT #sportswashing #internationalesportscompetition #humanrights #genderequality #inclusivity #gamingcommunity #economicopportunities #femalegamers #controversies #visibility #participation #traditionalsports #culturalchallenges https://lnkd.in/dyds4-P8