Black Girl Gamers: Progress and Challenges in the Gaming Industry's Representation

After nearly a decade of advocating for diversity, equity, and inclusion in the gaming industry, particularly for Black women and non-conforming individuals, Black Girl Gamers (BGG) remains committed to its mission. In a conversation with GamesIndustry.biz, CEO Jay-Ann Lopez reflects on the organization's journey and the industry's slow but progressing stance on representation. Recently, BGG 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. Despite a few recent AAA titles featuring Black protagonists, such as Forspoken and Deathloop, the industry's overall progress on diversity, equity, and inclusion is lacking. Lopez notes that the disparity between game consumers and game creators persists, with the industry still not adequately representing diverse locales such as Africa and the Caribbean. The CEO attributes the industry's slow pace on DEI to the lack of intention and proactive strategies from companies, often resulting in reactionary measures rather than meaningful change. Lopez highlights the importance of having Black and non-white individuals in leadership positions to bring a necessary lens to the table. She criticizes the practice of companies trying to figure out DEI on their own without seeking expert consultation, likening it to not hiring management consultants for business strategy. Throughout her career, Lopez has faced frustrations with the industry's slow progress, including vanity projects that superficially address DEI issues. One such example was a brand that approached BGG to discuss abuse in gaming but underpaid Black women involved in the campaign. Lopez stresses the importance of knowing one's worth and staying informed, which is why BGG will revive its online summit to provide educational resources on the games industry, including details on streaming deals, exclusivity clauses, and contract negotiation. As CEO of BGG and newly appointed COO of JumpButton Studio, Lopez aims to increase diversity in the industry from 4% to 7% in ten years. She believes that joining JumpButton Studio will allow her to be more active in creating change, particularly in highlighting new narratives that star diverse characters. Lopez prefers to create new stories rather than trying to combat systemic hurdles in established series and franchises. Balancing her executive roles is a challenge, but Lopez is no stranger to juggling responsibilities, having done so since becoming CEO of BGG in 2015. The organization has achieved several highlights, including Gamer Girls Night, the BGG online summit, and talent development initiatives, which have put over $190,000 in the pockets of Black women through streaming employment and talent brokering events. Despite the challenges and vanity projects in the space, Lopez finds validation in the group's ability to inspire others and create opportunities. Looking ahead, Lopez is committed to continuing her work, growing inclusivity within the games industry, and welcoming the challenges that come with it.