Sony Interactive Entertainment’s Post

Being a sports fan brings a sense of togetherness and belonging, and every fan deserves to feel welcome and valued. For young fans who have disabilities, inclusivity is essential for making them feel like they’re part of the team. 🔴 Equal Access: Everyone deserves the chance to be involved on game day. Accessible events and content mean that young fans with disabilities can join in the fun the same as everyone else 🔵 Representation Matters: Seeing characters, players, and mascots with disabilities in media can inspire and empower young fans – meaning they can see themselves reflected in the games they love 🟡 Community Strength: An inclusive fandom is a stronger fandom. Embracing diverse perspectives strengthens our community and creates a sense of belonging for all. However, they still face challenges: 🚫 Physical barriers at events 🚫 Inaccessible digital content 🚫 Social stigma and lack of awareness But we can make a difference! Here’s how: ✅ Ensure events are accessible. ✅ Create and support inclusive content. ✅ Invest in education to promote awareness and understanding #DisabilityAwareness #DisabilityInclusion #YouthFandom

I've created, managed and lead teams and communities in gaming from casual to professional since my teenage years. One of the most important lessons I've learnt is understanding the player base of the game the community is built around, which can be done at any opportunity you meet another player. Learning who the players are is key as to ensure the space you are creating is inclusive and serving of the games range of personalities that it would interest. Blizzard for example has done an amazing job at building LGBTQ+ player bases ontop of the hard-core raiders and key pushers playing since Wrath and before. My WoW guild thrives on this inclusivity, attracting new players who quickly identify our core values and start returning daily to chat or engage in our community. We have non-binary leaders and members, female raid and M+ group leaders and many core members from the LGBTQ+ community. Toxic or exclusive mentality will always emerge in gaming where competitive collaboration is required to progress but there are always a source and ways to circumvent this defensive posture through communication and understanding. Cutting through with kindness and challenging perspectives has helped me learn that it's just a scale with players at polarising ends. The "toxic" players just want those dopamine driven wins first, whilst "fragile" players are looking for social engagement, escapism or just a place to be themselves. Be the force that helps players see encouragement and comradery can help bring these very different players of different backgrounds, skill levels or personalities together and build teams to take down the hardest of challanges, or build lasting meaningful relationships outside of gaming.

🌈 Happy Pride Month! 🌈 In this special Pride edition of Unpacking the Stat, let's dive into the crucial topic of representation and diversity in gaming! Despite the undeniable love Gen Z has for gaming, GLAAD's recent report highlights a concerning gap between the demographics of gamers and the portrayal of LGBTQ+ characters in major console and PC games. While 17% of active video gamers identifying as LGBTQ+, it's disheartening to see that less than 2% of major games feature LGBTQ+ characters. This disparity not only fails to reflect the diverse gaming community but also overlooks the significance of representation for LGBTQ+ players. Representation matters. Seeing characters who share their identities can enhance immersion, foster belonging, and validate identities within virtual worlds. Additionally, diverse representation in gaming can challenge stereotypes, combat stigma, and promote empathy among players. As the gaming industry evolves, there's a growing demand for more inclusive storytelling. Game developers and publishers must prioritize diversity and inclusion, listening to the voices of LGBTQ+ gamers and creating games that reflect the richness of human experiences.   #RepresentationMatters #InclusiveGaming #LGBTQInclusion #GamingDiversity #GLAAD #PrideMonth

Did you know? According to Burke: Play That Moves You, inclusive spaces make everyone feel a sense of belonging and ownership. Age-appropriate play, intergenerational engagement, and spaces for socialization, adventure, awe, game play, development, and connection are all part of a well thought out play space design. Bennett's Village cannot wait to serve this community through play for all! [Image description: A light orange background with white letters at the top stating "Why and inclusive play space?" A white circle is in the center with the words "Intelligently designed spaces serve the entire community." in black letters. A circle of people have their hands raised to the center of the graphic and they are all smiling. Burke: Play That Moves You is cited in the bottom left corner.] #BennettsVillage #APlaceForAllToPlay #Play4All #ItTakesAVillage #InclusivePlayground #InclusivePlay #InclusivePlaySpace #PlayIsLearning #DesignForAll #BuildCommunity #PlaygroundFun #Accessibility #InclusionMatters #Inclusion #AllAbilities #LoweringBarriersToPlay #Charlottesville #CharlottesvilleVA #CvilleVA #BennettsVillagePlaySpace #AccessiblePlaySpaces #AllAbilitiesWelcome #ILoveCville #AlbemarleCounty

"The study found that LGBTQ+ gamers are 11% more likely than non-queer gamers to use gaming to escape from difficult real-world situations and are 24% more likely to depend on gaming to get them through tough times. These percentages increased for queer people living in states that have recently passed or proposed anti-LGBTQ+ legislation. In fact, half of all LGBTQ+ gamers said they felt more accepted by the gaming community than they do where they live. Approximately 66% of LGBTQ+ gamers said that gaming allows them to express themselves in a way they don’t feel comfortable doing in the real world, and 35% of LGBTQ+ gamers said they felt like gaming was their only outlet for socializing with other people. Despite this, 52% of LGBTQ+ gamers reported experiencing harassment while playing online, compared to 38% of non-queer gamers." https://lnkd.in/g2hRPAbZ

Today is the 13th annual Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD), a day to raise awareness of the importance and benefits of accessibility in digital products and technologies and reduce barriers in technology for people with disabilities.   To mark GAAD, Kenichiro Yoshida, Chairman and CEO, Sony Group Corporation reflects on Sony’s efforts in accessibility and inclusive design: “People are also at the center of our approach to accessibility, and by working together with individuals with diverse needs, we are implementing inclusive design features that incorporate their perspectives into our product development processes.” Read more here: https://lnkd.in/dTDTm-b6 #SonyEurope #SonyCares #GlobalAccessibilityAwarenessDay #GAAD2024 #Accessibility

🌟 Celebrating Diversity in Gaming! 🌟 As a member of the video game industry, I'm excited to shine a spotlight on the recent introduction of Clove, the newest character in Valorant. Clove's arrival marks a significant milestone for inclusivity and representation in gaming. In an industry where diversity has often been overlooked, Valorant's decision to include a non-binary character like Clove is a powerful statement. It's a reminder that gaming is for everyone, regardless of gender identity or expression. Clove isn't just another character; they're a symbol of acceptance and visibility for non-binary individuals and the broader LGBTQ+ community. By featuring characters like Clove, games have the potential to foster empathy, understanding, and connection among players from all walks of life. As a community, we must continue to champion diversity and inclusivity in gaming. Whether we're developers, players, or industry professionals, we all have a role to play in creating a more inclusive environment where everyone feels welcome and represented. Congratulations to Riot Games and the team behind Valorant for taking this important step forward. Let's keep pushing boundaries, breaking stereotypes, and celebrating the diverse tapestry of identities that make our gaming community so vibrant and enriching. Together, we can build a future where everyone feels valued and respected in the games we love. 🎮🌟 #DiversityInGaming #Inclusivity #RepresentationMatters #Clove #Valorant

Why are video games lagging behind on LGBTQ+ representation vs other media outlets? A recent article from PinkNews highlighted that less than 2% of gaming content and characters are LGBTQ+ related. With the advertising industry pushing for diverse content, why is that gaming is so far behind? You can read more on the topic here: https://lnkd.in/em7E7yRh And I'd love to hear your thoughts! Does it matter? Is the ad industry actually strides ahead? And what should be done? #LGBTQNews #Gaming #AdIndustry #PinkNews

This is the reason why I am so unapologetically open about being gay in my profession because there needs to be more LGBTQ representation in not just advertising but in gaming too. Nearly 1 in 5 active gamers declare themselves as LGBTQ+, however GLAAD's new report find that despite growth in the gaming industry in the past 50 years, it's clear that LGBTQ representation has been notably lacking. The industry has yet to catch up with other media channels in adequately portraying LGBTQ individuals, but despite concerns of alienating certain audiences, we should consider that this could be an innocent oversight where gaming characters can be anyone you want them to be. Positively though, gamers overall are largely accepting of LGBTQ content in games. As the gaming community becomes more diverse, there's a clear call for greater LGBTQ representation in gaming. It's time for the industry to embrace inclusivity and reflect the desires of its audience.

🌈 As Pride month comes to an end, let's remember that Pride and queer inclusivity should be celebrated all year round. Our latest blog post explores the evolving landscape of geek culture and gaming, highlighting the importance of queer representation in role-playing style games. 🎮 Role-playing games (RPGs), whether pencil and paper or video games, offer safe spaces for identity exploration and self-expression, making them especially meaningful for LGBTQIA+ gamers. 🌟 Our blog post delves into the progress and remaining challenges in representation within the gaming industry. We discuss iconic queer protagonists, games that let you create inclusive characters, and tabletop RPGs that provide deep customization for queer narratives. From Baldur’s Gate III to Dungeons & Dragons, discover how these games can help foster a sense of belonging and visibility in the gaming world. 🌐✨ Happy gaming and happy PRIDE! Read it here: https://lnkd.in/enpTEHzw #Pride #LGBTQIA #RepresentationMatters #GamingCommunity #RolePlayingGames #GeekCulture #NewHopeCounseling