Developing a checklist for non-binary inclusive RPG character creation
Topolova, Anna (2021)
Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2021052110244
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2021052110244
Tiivistelmä
In the recent years, the visibility of non-binary individuals has been gradually increasing. This raised the discussion around non-binary representation and inclusion in media. The discussion has inevitably arrived in the game development field and brought up questions of creating playable non-binary characters, especially in the role playing games, where the player-character identification is significant. In character creation systems non-binary individuals were left the most underrepresented.
The objective of this thesis was to create an easy to follow checklist for game developers aiming to implement non-binary inclusive character creation systems. The existing video game character creation systems were examined, as well as the criticism towards them from the non-binary community. The comments and wishes of the non-binary individuals were studied in order to pin-point the most desired features of the character creation systems. They were analyzed and collected into a development checklist.
For demonstration, an example character creation system was designed and developed by following the checklist. Possible drawbacks and issues were discussed.
The objective of this thesis was to create an easy to follow checklist for game developers aiming to implement non-binary inclusive character creation systems. The existing video game character creation systems were examined, as well as the criticism towards them from the non-binary community. The comments and wishes of the non-binary individuals were studied in order to pin-point the most desired features of the character creation systems. They were analyzed and collected into a development checklist.
For demonstration, an example character creation system was designed and developed by following the checklist. Possible drawbacks and issues were discussed.