Why Representation Matters: The Growing Impact of Video Games in Today's Society
Photo by LightFieldStudios via iStock
In the video games we play, the design of characters and the way they are written impacts the degree to which players can escape into, engage with, and relate to the stories that unfold. For members of marginalized communities, representation within games and within the studios that develop those games matters. In this blog, a gameHER tells us about the importance of representation and how it impacts her gaming experience.
By Brittany Toney
As the popularity of video games grows, so does the influence of video games. We are no longer in an age where video games play a minor role in the lives of kids, teens, and adults. Just as people go to the movies, fall in love with comic book characters, or binge-watch an anime because the plot is so good and they can relate with those characters, people gravitate towards video games for the same reason.
It's safe to say that with all of this influence comes the great responsibility of developers to create games that reflect their audiences. Gamers are not just White, cisgender men. They come from all different backgrounds with all different sorts of cultures and identities. Gamers deserve to see themselves and feel connected to the characters that they play. Growing up, I certainly felt unseen and envious of the communities that are constantly being showcased. I also struggled to see the positives within my own identity as a Black woman, when Black women were constantly shown as the sassy or aggressive stereotypes, and never as the protagonists, only as sidekicks or forgettable NPCs.
And just as representation is important when creating characters, the representation of developers is equally as important. Some of the reasons we see harmful stereotypes being constantly perpetuated within games are because of the lack of education and the lack of representation within developers. There is a lack of developers of color and diverse sexual orientations as well as a lack of support for these developers to help create stories that paint a beautiful view of marginalized communities. And I say that this is due to a lack of support and resources from people in marginalized communities. I also do believe that although big triple A companies are advertising inclusivity and diversity, they aren’t doing enough to really support. Claiming to support their workers or even just giving gamers badges isn’t enough.
People from marginalized communities can be the protagonists, they can be the heroes and the bad guys in their stories. They can be powerful and don’t need stories constantly painted by struggle. They don’t need to be saved or the ‘damsels in distress.’ And I believe it is incredibly important to showcase all of that, so more people from marginalized communities feel heard and more comfortable within these spaces.
I want to be able to play games and see myself in those games. Everyone deserves to have their safe space within gaming. I think that one of the most beautiful parts about gaming is the ability for one to transform themself within the game they play. And I hope that one day, this can be a dream come true for me and other gamers from marginalized communities too.
About the author:
Hi! I’m Brittany.
As a graduating senior who has decided to major in sociology, I had spent a lot of time trying to figure out what I wanted to do with my life. I always got questions about what sociology was and what I could even do with it. As I thought long and hard about these questions I realized that I wanted to combine my passion for representation, inclusion, and diversity with my passion for video games. Growing up being the minority within video games and nerd culture in general, I was always critical of the industry and developed this passion to help create games for people like me and others who are underrepresented.
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Watch her Twitch stream: @Bobagumm
Brittany Toney, photo courtesy of the writer
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