Why Inclusivity Is Now a Competitive Advantage in Gaming Design

As we progress through the evolution of different games, the gamer communities are also ever-changing. Gamers are preferring games which have more accessibility features. Moreover, they want to experience the gameplay regardless of their abilities. On the other hand, game developers are also making significant progress while developing games where every kind of gamer is being represented.

Do you believe that game developers are now designing games to make the experience more immersive for gamers, regardless of their background? Or is it more of a strategic decision to remain competitive in the highly saturated gaming industry? This blog answers all your curiosities.

How are Demographics in Gaming Changing?

According to a study, around 17% of the US-based gamers are from the LGBTQ+ community. However, only 2% of the LGBTQ+ players publicly feature an LGBTQ+ character. This shows that gaming is not restricted to teenage males anymore. If you observe globally, there is a significant number of women, neurodivergent, and LGBTQ gamers representing their communities.

Game designing studios are inclined to produce more games that help players from different communities, including different disabilities. Therefore, game developers are also working on improving different ways to interact with the visuals. Besides, there is a push from the gamer communities who expect the game design studios to build a broader gaming community by ensuring inclusivity.

Women have also been significant contributors in the gaming industry as in the US, around 46% of gamers are women, according to a study conducted in 2023. This shows that there is participation from all the different communities as the games are becoming more inclusive. In addition, as per a 2022 study, there is a 29% of non-white gamers in the US.

How Can a Game be Considered Inclusive?

What features make a game inclusive for all? Well, the answer to this question depends on the level of inclusivity we are talking about.

Figure: Inclusive Game Design Life Cycle

Developing games for everyone is of ethical importance to the developers. However, some games inadvertently show racial cues, introduce complex rules, and show a biased perspective on different communities. This way, the game deters people from representing their community.

There are a few ways to make a game inclusive. Here, we are listing some.

 

Factors	How It Makes the Game Inclusive
Introducing characters representing diverse communities	This way, players playing the game feel represented and feel satisfaction.   A study shows, 72% of LGBTQ+ gamers prefer to see their representation in the games and gives enhanced satisfaction.
Using high contrast visuals, sensible color palettes	Gamers with visual impairment can play these games with ease.
Multilingual audio, subtitles, and in-game text.	Developing gaming audio and subtitles in different languages breaks the language barrier.

Table 1: Different ways to make the game more inclusive to different communities.

Now, let’s understand how different game studios are creating games that include people from different communities.

 

Which Games are Leading the Way?

Inclusivity in gaming means equal opportunities for gamers irrespective of their background. Game designing studios are making games that can be accessed by people of different genders, backgrounds, sexual preferences, and impairments. Inclusive design in the games provides a welcoming experience for all gamers.

Here are a few exemplary games that are leading the way in creating inclusive design.

The Last of Us Part II

One of the most famous titles in recent years, The Last of Us Part II, has more than 60 settings to customize the gameplay experience for different gamers. There are new features which have enabled players with low-vision or blindness to play the game and experience.

Overwatch

Overwatch, developed by Blizzard Entertainment, shows different characters who are from different ethnicities. There is an in-game character called Hazard, who is disabled as he lost his limbs in an accident. Hence, he uses prosthetic limbs. In this way, the game successfully upholds the representation of people with disabilities.

Hades

The protagonist of this game is from queer community.  This game is perfect for gender-fluid people who are looking to strengthen the storyline and advanced representation.

Cyberpunk 2077

In Cyberpunk 2077, gamers are allowed to choose their pronoun and appearance. Besides, their in-game character can establish a relationship with same-sex partners. In this way, the game successfully represents the LGBTQ+  community.

Similarly to bigger titles, small games like rummy games can also develop inclusivity. The developers are using multilingual support to make the game more accessible to players of different languages.

How Inclusive Design of Games Provides Business Benefits?

Game designers consider that inclusivity must be rooted early in the design process of the game. This is not just because they want to reach a wider audience, but it also means better business.

Higher Player Loyalty towards the Developers

When game developers add in-game characters that promote the representation of different communities, the players from those communities stay loyal to those developers and promote their games. This is equally important from the business point of view for the developing studios.

More Engagement from Streamers When They Feel Represented

It is often observed that video game streamers stream those games more often than they represent their communities. People from different communities, like people of color or different sexualities, prefer to gain an inclusive experience from games. However, there is a contrasting study by GLAAD, which shows around 70% of non-LGBTQ+ players will prefer to play a game with LGBTQ+ portrayal.

Wrapping Up

Inclusivity in video games is becoming a key factor as more developer studios are making games that depict different communities. An inclusive in-game environment contributes to a healthy gamer relationship. Along with big titles, casual games like different rummy app can also incorporate the inclusivity factor in their games. Rummy apps can create in-game themes on special days or avatars that represent specific communities.

Want to play games that make you feel more represented?

Are you looking for games where you can feel more connected and represented? Try some of the titles we mentioned above, and you can see for yourself how these games are playing pivotal in promoting inclusivity.