by Heather Wells | Oct 2, 2018 | Essays, Video Games
When I talk to people about the need for more female, NB, and trans playable characters in video games, I tend to get the same response: “Well, what about ‘x, y, z’ game? It lets you make your own character!” This is a complete non-answer to a very real problem, and a dismissal of my feelings and concerns. It’s saying that, because a handful of games allow me to create either a male or a female main character, I should be content that the default character on the box is the same cisgender white man in every game. It’s saying that representation doesn’t matter in games so long as I’m able to create it for myself.
This mentality shifts the responsibility from the developers to the players. Rather than encouraging game developers to expand their audience and create more diverse characters, it forgives them for their short-sightedness. “It’s okay that game developers never consider you the norm,” these respondents seem to say, “because at least they let you insert yourself.” But this ignores the fact that the game wasn’t made for me, that the world wasn’t designed with me in mind, and that every part of the game will reflect that, whether the developers intended it or not. (more…)
Book reviewer, game player, writer, and editor, Heather can be found on Twitter @terminality_, where she mostly posts about her cat.
by Angie Wenham | Sep 25, 2018 | Essays
While there were some great moments at Nine Worlds, my convention experience did not start fantastically. I was a little disoriented, truth be told. I was moderating one panel and taking part in another over the weekend. I didn’t feel prepared because I had spent the week getting more and more anxious that the guidelines for moderators and panelists hadn’t arrived. These guidelines are vital for ensuring an inclusive space, and this was hugely important to me. The guidance finally came through on Wednesday, 8th August, the night before we would travel down for the convention. (more…)
Angie writes reviews and stories whenever she is not investigating the latest dating sim or visual novel. She is a full-time Dragon Age obsessive but also plays board games and tabletop RPGs when she can. Besides games, Angie enjoys manga, broody tattooed elves, and TV cannibals.
by Angie Wenham | Sep 18, 2018 | Essays
The first Nine Worlds convention took place in 2013 and has been growing ever since. Nine Worlds is a UK-based convention covering all aspects of fandom, including everything from gaming to academia to musical theater. If you can think of a geeky interest, be it Steven Universe to Star Wars, Nine Worlds will have you covered. (more…)
Angie writes reviews and stories whenever she is not investigating the latest dating sim or visual novel. She is a full-time Dragon Age obsessive but also plays board games and tabletop RPGs when she can. Besides games, Angie enjoys manga, broody tattooed elves, and TV cannibals.
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