Leveling Up for All: Why DEI Matters in Game Development?
What if the next game you played didn’t just entertain you but also made you feel seen, heard, part of something bigger? That’s one of the driving ideas behind our project “Video Games For Good”. More than a catchy name, it’s a call to encourage game developers to create inclusive, community-centered games.
The gaming industry has changed, and so should the stories we tell.
The era when video games were the domain of young, straight white men is long gone. Today, gamers come from every demographic imaginable. They span all ages, genders, abilities, backgrounds, and identities. In many ways, the gaming community mirrors society itself (cool right?). And yet, far too many games still represent only one narrow slice of humanity.
Games like Pac-Man, Super Mario Bros, Tetris and Minecraft, it’s clear that games shape culture. It is clear that games like Pac-Man, Super Mario Bros, Tetris and Minecraft have shaped culture. “With [that] power comes great responsibility”. Inclusion isn’t just “nice to have”, it’s essential. When games reflect the world in all its forms, they can shift mindsets, foster empathy, and connect people who wouldn’t have met in real life.
Representation isn’t just about visibility. It’s about transformation.
Think back to the first time you truly identified with a game character (it felt absolutely amazing right?). Maybe it was a protagonist who looked like you, spoke like you, or had lived a similar experience. That feeling of being seen can be powerful. In games, where you often control the story, it could be life-changing. Controlling a self-reflective character, one who mirrors your thoughts, struggles, or identity creates a deeply personal impact. It’s definitely not the same as guiding a generic character. It’s the difference between “playing a game” and “living it”.
When game developers intentionally include characters from different races, genders, abilities, and identities, they go beyond ticking a box. They send a powerful message to millions (if not billions) of players: “You belong here”.
Diversity drives creativity and innovation.
When the same kind of people make the same kind of games, we get… bored. Monoculture limits innovation and thus imagination. Inclusive characters and narratives aren’t just good for the marginalized, they are good for everyone (including the straight white man). Even players from dominant groups gain new perspectives, challenge assumptions, and experience the world as it truly is. “This not only benefits the players but also boosts the industry’s profitability and sustainability” (Silicon Valley University, August 2024).
Whether you’re teaming up with strangers across time zones or chatting on Discord, connection doesn’t happen by accident. Inclusive games nurture communities that prioritize empathy and respect (ask any game designer if they’d rather their game to be known for a positive or toxic community). Games that embrace inclusion can challenge stereotypes and literally invite players to walk in someone else’s shoes (and that’s the real power of play).
The future of gaming holds endless potential. However, to unlock it, the industry must commit to telling stories that reflect everyone. Video Games For Good isn’t just another European project, it’s a belief. A belief that games can do more than entertain. They can build empathy, spark understanding, and advance justice.
So next time you enter the virtual world, ask yourself: whose story is being told? And whose is missing? Because, remember, the more inclusive our games are, the stronger our community becomes and the better our world can be!
If you would like to explore more about game inclusivity, check out our toolbox and online courses. You will find many resources like The GDI Playbook and Think Thank for Inclusion & Equity factsheets to help you on your inclusive journey.
Sources :
Game Developers for Inclusion. (n.d.). GDI playbook: Building equitable futures through play. https://www.gdiplaybook.org/gdi-playbook
Think Tank for Inclusion & Equity. (n.d.). Factsheets. Write Inclusion. https://www.writeinclusion.org/factsheets
University of Silicon Valley. (2024, August 20). The importance of diversity and inclusion in gaming. https://usv.edu/blog/the-importance-of-diversity-and-inclusion-in-gaming/
Moldstud. (2024, February 13). P‑game developers and the importance of diversity. Moldstud. https://moldstud.com/articles/p-game-developers-and-the-importance-of-diversity