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LGBTQ media advocacy group GLAAD has launched its first annual report on LGBTQ illustration in video video games, discovering that the video games business is lagging in comparison with the typical gamer’s opinions on illustration.
In a examine carried out with companion Nielsen Gaming, GLAAD polled players to learn the way many recognized as LGBTQ, in addition to asking their opinions on illustration. The survey revealed that round one in 5, or 17% of lively players are a part of the LGBTQ neighborhood. This is a rise of 70% on a Nielsen Gaming report from 2020, which reported 10% of players have been LGBTQ.
Regardless of the rising numbers of LGBTQ players, solely 2% of video games embody LGBTQ characters. “It’s time to transfer previous the concept that LGBTQ-inclusive video games are a separate, area of interest class,” GLAAD affiliate director of gaming, Blair Durkee mentioned on the findings. “All video games ought to attempt to replicate the individuals who play them. And when 1 in 5 players are LGBTQ, any recreation with 5 or extra characters has no excuse for missing LGBTQ inclusion.”
The report additionally revealed that 7 out of 10 non-LGBTQ players would both be extra inclined to purchase a recreation with an LGBTQ principal character, or that it will not affect their resolution to purchase. LGBTQ players are much more more likely to be positively influenced, with 3 out of 4 LGBTQ respondents saying that seeing a personality in a recreation who matches their identification makes them really feel higher about themselves.
“This report presents a transparent enterprise case for the business to take motion and deal with the wants of a quickly rising portion of players,” mentioned GLAAD president and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis. “The message is obvious: players need extra inclusive LGBTQ illustration of their video games and the business should develop into extra inclusive.”
The report additionally touches on among the real-life points going through LGBTQ individuals in the USA, with particular questions fo queer players in states which have just lately handed anti-LGBTQ laws. Quite a lot of respondents indicated that they felt extra accepted in gaming communities than of their native communities or that video video games helped them get by robust occasions. 75% of respondents in these states mentioned they use gaming as an outlet to precise themselves in methods they cannot in actual life.
In addition to illustration, the GLAAD report identifies security as one other situation for LGBTQ players, with 52% reporting being harassed in on-line video games, and 42% reporting they’d averted taking part in a recreation for worry of harassment.
“For manufacturers trying to have interaction LGBTQ players, making a secure and inclusive surroundings should lengthen past the sport itself,” added Nielsen senior vp Stacie deArmas on the toping of security. “Almost 70% of respondents are much less possible to purchase from studios with a historical past of mistreating LGBTQ employees.”
You may learn the full report from GLAAD right here.
Since 2019, GLAAD has offered an award for LBGTQ illustration in AAA video games as a part of the GLAAD Media Awards. Earlier winners embody The Final Of Us Half 2, Apex Legends, and The Outer Worlds.
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