The added value of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) in the gaming industry

Disclaimer: This DevLog is intended to help anyone, who is in a similar situation we are in at the moment. Everyone has to make their own decisions. This merely is our own honest view and opinion, based on our experience. We would love to hear from you, what you think about it all. We wish you all the success and fun you deserve with the development and release of your game! eXplore Studio

There was a time, not so distant, when toys and games alike were made for girls only or boys only and when buying a model car for a girl or a baby doll for a boy was seen as very peculiar… Girls had to be girls and boys had to be boys. Times have changed. Mindsets have shifted. Today, the words equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) are becoming more and more prominent and are the core values of so many companies and businesses. The gaming industry is also embracing these changes and wants to provide players with games they can relate to and in which they feel acknowledged and respected as individuals. When there is no discrimination based on age, gender, religion, race, or anything else that make the person who they are, engaging in a game becomes more enjoyable. A sense of belonging appears and upon it, inclusive communities are built. Indeed, for many, video games are an escape route, a way to break out from the everyday life and routine in which they are, sometimes, not well represented.  So, when LGBTQ+ characters or characters with special needs for example are included in a game, there is a chance that the experience of playing the game becomes more enjoyable and leads to a more supportive and positive gaming audience.

Now, developing games that bring people with different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives together requires a developing team of people with different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives working together for the benefits of the game and ready to promote the values of equity, diversity, and inclusion. Besides, working in an environment where fairness and equity are nurtured and cultivated, can be easily reflected in a game that will, in turn, have an impact on the players. There is a ripple effect. Moreover, diverse teams are more creative and effective. As a matter of fact, when game developers from varied cultures are truly involved in the creation process or come together to tackle an issue, different perspectives and potential answers appear. In this fair and exciting working environment, when everyone has a voice, can interact and is being heard, motivation and productivity increase. Consequently, the game is well taken care of, the released product is definitely of higher quality, thoroughly promoting the values of the development team, making the players feel represented and validated at the same time.

So, when equity, diversity, and inclusion are promoted by the whole team, from the concept phase to the delivery phase, the game reflects all these values and becomes fair and enjoyable to all players, thereby fostering an engaging, supportive, diverse, and inclusive gaming community.