Xbox Introduces New Resource to Foster Inclusivity in Game Development

Microsoft's Xbox division has unveiled the 'Gaming For Everyone Product Inclusion Framework', a comprehensive resource aimed at helping developers create more inclusive games. This framework, initially introduced internally in 2019, focuses on four primary areas: globalization, accessibility, representation, and approachability. Led by Xbox's Gaming for Everyone team, this initiative seeks to provide developers with the tools and knowledge necessary to make informed decisions about inclusivity in their games. The framework is not a set of rigid guidelines but rather a flexible resource that allows developers to decide what works best for their specific projects. According to Katy Jo Wright, Xbox's head of Gaming for Everyone & Sustainability, the goal is to empower developers to make intentional decisions about inclusion, recognizing that every game is unique and may not need to cater to every possible player demographic. The framework includes examples of how Xbox has approached inclusivity in its own projects, such as the Xbox Adaptive Controller for accessibility and the ID@Xbox game Venba for representation. By sharing this framework, Xbox hopes to inspire a broader conversation about inclusivity in the gaming industry and to encourage developers to prioritize intentional inclusion in their game development processes.