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June is Satisfaction month, and Microsoft says it will be making an energetic effort to extend queer illustration in video video games. The console maker introduced a “long-term partnership” with GLAAD that entails rising the variety of queer characters in future first-party Xbox titles.
What this implies: Xbox Video games Studios Publishing will likely be collaborating with the queer media advocacy group and “amplifying present sources by workshops and consulting to deliver real, heartfelt, and aspirational LGBTQIA+ illustration.”
Although video video games have been regularly grown the sheer variety of queer characters through the years, particularly in triple-A video games, this marks a big step up. In contrast to its competitor PlayStation, which has The Final of Us and the Horizon sequence, Xbox would not have a flagship franchise headlined by queer characters.
On GLAAD’s web site, it seems the one sport developer it is partnered with is League of Legends creator Riot Video games. Microsoft at present stands as the one console maker to associate with the group. It beforehand labored with GLAAD on DontNod’s 2020 sport, Inform Me Why, which was the primary triple-A sport to characteristic a trans lead.
Xbox’s advertising chief Pav Bhardwaj mentioned allying with GLAAD would “deliver extra LGBTQIA+ tales, characters and lived experiences to Xbox in methods that may resonate with players all over the world.”
This partnership additionally consists of Xbox’s associate studios and “different builders in our neighborhood,” which underlines the developer’s dedication to queer audiences. What Microsoft’s partnership with GLAAD means proper now
Bhardwaj notes within the Xbox Wire publication that Microsoft “acknowledge(s) the necessity and demand for extra numerous tales, particularly as many locations grow to be extra hostile to transgender, non-binary and LGBTQIA+ communities.”
All through the US, a number of states resembling Texas and Florida have just lately enacted legal guidelines which are actively hostile towards LGBTQIA+ communities (and trans individuals particularly). Within the case of Texas, these measures are particularly devastating because it’s mentioned to have one of many nation’s largest trans communities.
Bhardwaj acknowledged that the time period “illustration” could be “huge and multifaceted,” and means various things to everybody. Talking on behalf of Xbox, he mentioned it meant “empowering our LGBTQIA+ crew members to create the sorts of change they’re hoping to see in our video games and within the trade at massive.”
Together with a dedication to extend queer rep in video games going ahead, Microsoft will spotlight queer-specific sport collections through the month of June. These collections will showcase video games which have queer leads, are made by queer builders, or have gender-inclusive choices.
Gamers have the choice to donate their Microsoft Rewards factors to a number of LGBTQIA+ organizations, together with Outright Intentional and the Nationwide Heart for Transgender Equality.
The total listing of Satisfaction content material coming to Xbox for the month of June could be learn right here.
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