Should we care about using inclusive language for games?

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 are many games around that have started using inclusive language. Still, sometimes one can find vicious comments on social media or sales platforms from players who do not agree. So, when we are developing a new game, should we use it or is it better for us to avoid collecting hateful comments? Well, it depends on what we want to achieve with the games we make. Do we want to do something meaningful that makes the world a better place and brings much enjoyment and hours or days of fun and excitement to our beautiful players? Or do we want to deny our values and dreams, and out of fear not do what would be the right thing to do?

In our opinion, using inclusive language is essential for several reasons: First of all, inclusive language shows respect for all individuals, regardless of their background, identity, or experiences. It acknowledges their humanity and validates their existence. It shows empathy for everyone.

Second, inclusive language helps prevent unintentional harm to people who look at our game or even play it. Certain words or phrases can marginalize groups, perpetuate stereotypes, or reinforce biases. By using inclusive language, we reduce the risk of causing offense. After all, this is not our goal. On the very contrary, we want to reach out to our precious fellow humans and make them feel better!

Third, using inclusive language fosters a sense of belonging. When people feel seen and respected, they are more likely to engage, collaborate, and contribute positively – in general, and also within the community of our fans and supporters. This is so, because it is simply more fun and much more enjoyable to be recognised, respected, and appreciated.

Fourth, the language we use in games, or when we reply to comments or otherwise engage with other people in general, this language shapes our perceptions and beliefs. By intentionally choosing inclusive terms, we do challenge outdated norms and promote a more equitable, fair, and welcoming society.

Fifth, using inclusive language may also be a legal and ethical matter. In certain cases, using non-inclusive language can have legal consequences, e.g., it may be seen as workplace discrimination. Also, ethical guidelines encourage inclusive communication, and using inclusive language is definitely in line with our declared values of eXplore Studio.

This said, always remember that using inclusive language is an ongoing process. It requires growing awareness, education, and a strong commitment to continuous improvement. If you want to start using inclusive language in your games, English is a great language to start with, as it lends itself to it particularly well. Other languages like French, Spanish or German are much more difficult… We will talk about that another time.