Enhancing Diverse Game Narratives and Characters: Key Considerations

Over the past decade, the video game industry has made significant strides in featuring more diverse characters, but this increased representation does not always translate to richer, less problematic storylines. Many major studios still lack diversity in their teams, which can result in narratives that feel superficial or stereotypical. Sweet Baby Inc, a narrative development and consultation studio, aims to collaborate with game developers to create more inclusive and authentic stories. According to Kim Belair, the company's co-founder and CEO, it is essential to integrate representation into the game's design from the outset, rather than attempting to address these issues later in the development process. Belair advises developers to create space for diverse perspectives and to prioritize authenticity over surface-level diversity. She highlights three key considerations for developing diverse game narratives and characters, including the need to treat representation as an integral aspect of narrative design, to move beyond surface-level diversity, and to prioritize specificity and authenticity in character development. By doing so, developers can create more nuanced and relatable characters that resonate with diverse audiences.