How diversity, equity, and inclusion shape game design

Abstract

Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) have had an increasingly influential role in game development, shaping how narratives, characters and game worlds are created. Previous research has highlighted challenges of representation and importance of diverse development teams; however, limited research has been made to examine the perspective of DEI in the narrative design process. The goal was to answer the questions of how DEI policies affect the creative process of narrative design; how common challenges and opportunities present themselves in integrating DEI policies and how differences in the process affect the diversity of game content. The implementation method selected was qualitative research, and data were collected through semi-structured interviews with two veteran game designers. The results were analyzed through thematic analysis, attempting to find recurring patterns and meanings. Results indicated DEI was being used as a creative tool rather than procedure, helping shape experiences to create narrative and character authenticity. When teams were diverse, representation was at its best, while large studios were found to be restrictive in their iteration bias, market constraints, and legacy IP. These structural limitations were not so apparent when looking at indie studios. It was concluded that DEI had influenced many parts of the design process, and authentic representation required both designer experience and inclusive team make-up. The need for broader studies on more participants and perspectives was found.