Black Girl Gamers: "More Work to Be Done" on Representation in Games

After nearly a decade of advocating for diversity, equity, and inclusion for Black women and non-conforming individuals, Black Girl Gamers (BGG) remains committed to its mission. In a recent conversation with GamesIndustry.biz, CEO Jay-Ann Lopez reflected on the organization's progress and the gaming industry's slow pace in representing the real world. BGG recently consulted on Square Enix's Forspoken, marking a significant milestone as the first AAA game credit for the organization. While Lopez acknowledges this as a step in the right direction, she emphasizes that there is still much work to be done in terms of representation and inclusion. Despite some recent AAA titles featuring Black protagonists, Lopez notes that diversity, equity, and inclusion are not being considered as much as they should be, particularly when it comes to representing Black characters and other underrepresented communities. The CEO stresses that it is essential to acknowledge the industry's progress while recognizing that there is still a long way to go. Lopez attributes the industry's slow pace to a lack of intention and proactive approach to diversity, equity, and inclusion. She highlights the importance of having Black and non-white people in leadership positions to bring a proactive and inclusive lens to the industry. Lopez also expresses frustration with the industry's reliance on vanity projects and the lack of transparency in diversity and inclusion efforts. To address these issues, BGG will be hosting an online summit to provide educational resources and support for the gaming industry. The summit will cover topics such as streaming deals, exclusivity clauses, and contract negotiation. Lopez has also taken on a new role as COO of JumpButton Studio, where she aims to increase diversity in the industry from 4% to 7% over the next ten years. She believes that joining a games studio that highlights new narratives and diverse backgrounds is crucial in creating a more inclusive industry. Lopez remains committed to her mission and looks forward to continuing her work in growing inclusivity within the gaming industry, acknowledging that it will be a challenging but rewarding journey.