Meet Zac Pfaff, Senior Designer I 🔥 "I always wanted to bring my creativity to the world. I grew up playing many classic Nintendo games. The magic of those games inspired me to dabble in pixel art on my parent’s PC. That snowballed into a thirst for technology. I studied animation in college, but left before graduating to find work in gaming. Unfortunately, I had an experience where a previous employer in the industry chose to let me go because I was gay. This made me question whether there was room for me in gaming. Being my true self is something I couldn’t give up, but it did make me hesitant to be out at work. Everything changed when a close friend moved to Blizzard and recommended me for a mobile design position. I fell in love with the quirky and fun culture as soon as I walked through the front gates. The passion everyone pours into their work is contagious and inspiring. I’ve now worked in mobile app, game, and web design on nearly every game here. I’ve also had the immense joy and privilege of starting the LGBT and Friends mailing list for my colleagues here. This has grown to be a huge success, and was the first step in the creation of Blizzard’s LGBT+ Network Leadership Team. As someone who experienced a tumultuous coming out when I was younger, and discrimination in a previous workplace, I’m so proud to play a role in creating an environment that is so welcoming and supportive. I feel that visibility and exposure do a lot to create a culture of acceptance. So let the color of your character shine bright, and that will open doors for you." #BlizzardPride
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In recent years, the video game industry has made significant strides toward inclusivity and representation, but one area that still demands attention is LGBTQIA+ representation. As discussions surrounding diversity in gaming continue gaining traction, it's becoming increasingly evident that the inclusion of LGBTQIA+ characters and narratives isn't just a matter of political correctness - it's essential for the industry's growth and cultural impact. Let's delve into why this representation matters and the profound effects it can have on players and the gaming landscape. Increased LGBTQIA+ representation in the video game industry is crucial for several reasons. First, it fosters inclusivity and diversity, creating a more welcoming environment for players of all sexual orientations and gender identities. When individuals see characters in games that reflect their own identities or experiences, it can lead to a stronger sense of connection and validation within the gaming community. Secondly, increased representation in video games helps combat harmful stereotypes and prejudices by offering nuanced portrayals of diverse identities. By featuring more characters in a variety of roles and contexts, games can challenge societal norms and promote acceptance and understanding. Furthermore, including LGBTQIA+ characters and narratives in video games enriches storytelling possibilities. It allows developers to explore unique perspectives and themes that may resonate with players on a deeper level. This not only enhances the overall quality of gaming experiences but also contributes to the cultural significance of the medium. Additionally, from a business standpoint, catering to diverse audiences can be financially beneficial for game developers and publishers. By acknowledging and addressing the interests and needs of LGBTQIA+ gamers, companies can tap into a sizable market that has often been overlooked in the past. Using recent examples of video games with positive LGBTQIA+ representation, take, for instance, "The Last of Us Part II," a critically acclaimed title that prominently features LGBTQIA+ characters like Ellie and Dina. Their relationship serves as a central aspect of the game's narrative, showcasing a complex and authentic portrayal of love and identity within a post-apocalyptic world. Another notable example is "Undertale" by Toby Fox, which includes LGBTQIA+ characters such as Alphys and Undyne. Their storyline unfolds organically throughout the game, offering players a glimpse into their struggles and triumphs as they navigate the challenges of friendship and self-acceptance. With that said, increasing LGBTQIA+ representation is essential for fostering inclusivity, challenging stereotypes, enriching storytelling, and tapping into a diverse market. By embracing diversity and representing a wide range of identities, games have the potential to become more meaningful and impactful for players around the world. #videogames
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🚀 Accessibility in Gaming: Opening New Worlds for Everyone 🌐🎮 In an era where gaming stands as a universal language, the power of accessibility cannot be overstated. Imagine a world where every game launch brings joy not just to the mainstream but also to the 15% of the global population living with disabilities. That's over 1 billion people who could be experiencing the magic of gaming, just like anyone else! 🔍 The Game Changers: OpenDyslexic Font: Made for people with dyslexia, this font enhances readability, making in-game text more accessible and reducing reading errors by up to 27%. It's not just a font; it's a gateway to epic stories and adventures for many. Controller Support & Input Key Mapping: Customizable controls are a game-changer, literally. They allow players with physical disabilities to tailor their gaming setup, ensuring that everyone can join the battle, solve the puzzle, and explore new worlds, no matter their physical limitations. Color-Blind Friendly Modes: With about 300 million people worldwide experiencing color vision deficiency, color-blind modes are essential. These modes enhance contrast and color settings, ensuring that all players can enjoy the vibrancy and detail of game environments. 🎉 The Impact: Incorporating these features doesn't just open up gaming to a wider audience; it enriches the gaming ecosystem, fostering a more inclusive community. Games that prioritize accessibility report a broader player base, increased satisfaction, and a deeper connection with their audiences. Accessibility in gaming is more than just an add-on; it's a reflection of our evolution as a society. It's about recognizing the diversity of players and ensuring that everyone can experience the joy, the escape, and the community that gaming provides. Let's champion a future where games are designed for all, where every launch is a celebration of diversity and inclusion. Because when we make gaming accessible, we're not just opening new worlds for players with disabilities; we're enhancing the gaming experience for everyone. #GamingForAll #Accessibility #InclusiveGaming #OpenDyslexic #ColorBlindFriendly #GamingCommunity
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We've made it to day 3 of GAAD (Global Accessibility Awareness Day) Foundation and on the eve of the actual day! Based on conversations with those who specialize in accessibility and studios who are taking steps in implement it. Here are some common themes that have emerged from our discussions: Inclusivity in Design: A fundamental approach is the integration of accessibility considerations from the very beginning of game development. An inclusive design mindset ensures that games are enjoyable for everyone, including those with disabilities. Education and Awareness: There is a vital need for ongoing education among game developers regarding the challenges faced by players with disabilities. Understanding these challenges is crucial for creating games that are truly accessible. Community Engagement: By actively engaging with the community of disabled gamers, developers gain valuable feedback that not only aids in refining the gaming experience but also helps in building a loyal and supportive user base. Impact on Player Experience: Improving accessibility does more than assist disabled gamers; it enhances the overall player experience. Accessible games tend to be more thoughtful, intuitive, and user-friendly, making them more enjoyable for all players. Challenges in Implementation: Implementing accessibility features presents challenges, including resource allocation, the acquisition of specialized knowledge, and changing industry perceptions. Addressing these challenges is essential for the widespread adoption of accessibility practices. Let's commit to making gaming more inclusive and enjoyable for all. Your thoughts and experiences with accessibility in gaming are welcome, so please share them!
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Inclusive Game Developer and Writer, specialising in Game Narrative, Accessibility, and Inclusive Player Experience Design
Accessibility is not just a checkbox to tick, especially in game development. My concept is that we don't just apply accessibility solutions for disabled individuals; we build them in for everybody. How? 👇 So, let's dive deeper into the planning phase of game development. Planning a game is more than just sketching out storylines and mechanics. It's about creating an experience that captivates and keeps your players immersed. When we integrate accessibility into this process, we're not just ticking a box -we're designing with inclusivity in mind. This approach not only ensures that every aspect of the game is accessible but also enhances the experience for all players, inspiring us to create games that seriously engage and entertain a wider audience. By building accessibility considerations into the very foundation of our game during the planning phase, we set the stage for an enjoyable and fully inclusive experience for all. Accessibility is not just a tool; it's a powerful tool. It's a responsibility we all share as game developers and designers, and it's a responsibility that can lead to incredible opportunities and experiences for our players' tools to engage and entertain. Designing with inclusivity in mind doesn't just help players with disabilities but also enhances the overall user experience for all players. Accessibility benefits everyone. 🚀♿️ Let's rocket accessibility! Stay tuned for more updates on how I'm integrating accessibility into my game development journey. Follow #AccessibleGameDesign to join me on this exciting journey and ensure you don't miss a single thing. If you don't want to miss any of my posts, follow #PeterJJonas #g13e #InclusiveDesign #GameDevelopment #IndieGameDev #a11y #AccessibilityMatters #InclusionMatters #APXD
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How to start our game development with accessibility in mind? Follow TimeRavel.Studio to get the latest news about our games. Follow #AccessibleGameDesign to join Peter J. Jonas on this exciting journey and ensure you don't miss a single thing! #g13e #GameDevelopment #IndieGameDev #a11y #AccessibilityMatters #InclusionMatters #APXD
Inclusive Game Developer and Writer, specialising in Game Narrative, Accessibility, and Inclusive Player Experience Design
Accessibility is not just a checkbox to tick, especially in game development. My concept is that we don't just apply accessibility solutions for disabled individuals; we build them in for everybody. How? 👇 So, let's dive deeper into the planning phase of game development. Planning a game is more than just sketching out storylines and mechanics. It's about creating an experience that captivates and keeps your players immersed. When we integrate accessibility into this process, we're not just ticking a box -we're designing with inclusivity in mind. This approach not only ensures that every aspect of the game is accessible but also enhances the experience for all players, inspiring us to create games that seriously engage and entertain a wider audience. By building accessibility considerations into the very foundation of our game during the planning phase, we set the stage for an enjoyable and fully inclusive experience for all. Accessibility is not just a tool; it's a powerful tool. It's a responsibility we all share as game developers and designers, and it's a responsibility that can lead to incredible opportunities and experiences for our players' tools to engage and entertain. Designing with inclusivity in mind doesn't just help players with disabilities but also enhances the overall user experience for all players. Accessibility benefits everyone. 🚀♿️ Let's rocket accessibility! Stay tuned for more updates on how I'm integrating accessibility into my game development journey. Follow #AccessibleGameDesign to join me on this exciting journey and ensure you don't miss a single thing. If you don't want to miss any of my posts, follow #PeterJJonas #g13e #InclusiveDesign #GameDevelopment #IndieGameDev #a11y #AccessibilityMatters #InclusionMatters #APXD
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How can video game developers address #diversity? 🙋🏼♀️🎮 Players want their #videogames to be #accessible, inclusive, and reflect the diversity of the broader community, encompassing factors such as ability, age, race, cultural background, gender, and sexual orientation. Check out this interesting article on diversifying characters, creating nuanced backstories, countering #stereotypes in gameplay. And more about it in the article! 👇🏻 #DiversityInGaming #InclusiveGaming #GameDevelopment #WomenInGames #WomeninGaming #WomenInTech #GamesIndustry #GamingIndustry
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Catalyst for Human Evolution by Design | Empowering Sustainable Innovation & Strategic Growth | CEO & Founder, Evolve X Community| Author, The Wonder Mindset | MAD Fund Ambassador
School holidays are around the corner! Instead of solo screens and endless “I’m boreddddd”, my 5 kids and I are embarking on an exciting adventure - designing and producing our own Roblox game! We're teaming up with talented developers I tracked down on Fiverr and following a real design process: discover, define, design, deliver. By the end of the holidays, they'll have learned: - The fundamentals of game design - Collaboration and teamwork - Problem-solving and creativity - How to bring their ideas to life! Curious about our design process? Stay tuned for updates and sneak peeks! Got kids? Consider trying something similar! Encourage their curiosity and creativity. Who knows what they'll create? Share your own holiday activity ideas in the comments! Let's inspire each other.
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Accessibility toolkit for game engine Unity . New work makes it easier for game developers to implement game aids for people with disabilities. The toolkit focuses on players with visual impairments. #ScienceDailynews #InnovativeResearch #NextGenScience #ExploringFrontiers
March 12th 2024
sciencedaily.com
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Product Designer | UX Designer | UX Researcher | VR/AR/XR | Innovating AI and ML Products | Advocate for Digital Accessibility, Inclusivity, and Sustainability. Passionate about solving challenges.
🎮 Thinking back on a moving experience I had at a recent gaming convention: I was surrounded by a throng of people when I saw a little autistic boy attempting to play a game. I was moved by their struggle amidst all the enthusiasm, and it made me realize how important it is to have accessible gaming experiences. Why Don't We Take Accessibility in Game Development to the Next Level Gradually? Thanks to Microsoft Apple, and PlayStation It is high time that we make accessibility tools a priority in our game development process, my fellow designers, developers, and stakeholders. Making games that are accessible isn't merely about meeting requirements; it's about creating inclusive experiences that go beyond barriers. By incorporating accessibility features, we improve the gaming experience for all users, not just those with disabilities. Customisable controls and alternate text options are only two examples of how improvements improve the experience. 💡 Our creative endeavours in the field of game and application creation should be guided by the underlying idea of accessibility. Join me in creating a rich tapestry of game environments where players of all skills can fully immerse themselves. Join me in my mission to promote diversity and inclusion in gaming so that all players can experience its enchantment. 👾 #CreatingGamingEquals #GamingAccessibility
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As the #gamingcommunity continues to expand, the diversity among its players is also on the rise, sparking a crucial dialogue on the topic of #inclusivity 💜 With an estimated 2.7 billion gamers worldwide, it becomes imperative to ensure that every player, regardless of their abilities, can actively participate and engage. This article delves into the significance of #inclusion in #video games 🎮💪, shedding light on the need for a gaming environment where everyone can fully enjoy and contribute! #gamingindustry #gamingnews #gamesindustry #gamestudio #diversityandinclusion #accessibility #womeningaming #womeningames
Why Inclusive Gaming Matters
https://ablegamers.org
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