The world of gaming is constantly evolving and becoming more diverse, but there are still those who feel that certain groups are being left out.
This was the case with Final Fantasy XVI when the game’s developer, Square Enix, gave a disappointing explanation for its lack of diversity in the game’s character roster. In this article, we will explore why this is a problem and what can be done to address it.
The Importance of Diversity in Game Development
Diversity is becoming increasingly important in the gaming industry, as players demand to see themselves represented in the games they play. This is especially true for underrepresented groups such as women, people of color, and the LGBTQ+ community. These groups often feel overlooked or misrepresented in gaming, which can lead to a lack of interest or engagement with the game.
Diversity also has business benefits for game developers. By including diverse characters in their games, they are able to reach a wider audience and increase their revenue potential. In addition, games that include diverse characters have been shown to perform better in terms of critical acclaim and player engagement.
Final Fantasy XVI’s Lack of Diversity
Despite its commitment to diversity in previous games, Final Fantasy XVI has been criticized for its lack of diversity in the game’s character roster. The game features predominantly white male characters, with only a few exceptions such as a female warrior and a transgender character. This has led to criticism from players who feel that their representation is being overlooked.
Final Fantasy XVI developer Hiroshi Takai has given an explanation for the lack of diversity in the game’s character roster. He stated that they wanted to focus on creating a realistic world and that diversity would have been out of place in this setting. However, this explanation has not been well received by many players who feel that diversity is important in any setting.
Case Studies: The Benefits of Diversity in Game Development
There are numerous case studies that demonstrate the benefits of diversity in game development. One such example is the inclusion of women in games, which has been shown to increase player engagement and revenue potential. In addition, games that include diverse characters have been shown to perform better critically.
Another example is the inclusion of LGBTQ+ characters in games, which has been shown to improve player satisfaction and retention. Games such as “The Last of Us” and “Life is Strange” have been praised for their representation of LGBTQ+ characters and their positive impact on players.
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Comparing and Contrasting Diversity in Game Development
It’s important to compare and contrast diversity in game development with other forms of media. While games are often criticized for their lack of diversity, movies and TV shows also struggle with representation issues. In fact, a recent study found that only 32% of speaking roles in TV shows are held by women, while only 15% of speaking roles are held by people of color.
However, games have the potential to do better than other forms of media when it comes to diversity. This is because games can be designed specifically with diversity in mind, whereas movies and TV shows often struggle to balance representation with their overall narrative.
FAQs: Answering Common Questions About Diversity in Game Development
Q: What is diversity in game development?
A: Diversity in game development refers to the inclusion of characters from underrepresented groups, such as women, people of color, and the LGBTQ+ community, in games.
Q: Why is diversity important in game development?
A: Diversity is important in game development because it allows for greater representation and engagement with a wider audience. It also has business benefits, such as increased revenue potential and critical acclaim.
Q: What are some examples of games that have done well with diversity?
A: Some examples of games that have done well with diversity include “The Last of Us,” “Life is Strange,” and “Horizon Zero Dawn.” These games have been praised for their representation of diverse characters and their positive impact on players.
