In a significant move to promote diversity and inclusion in the gaming industry, Xbox has released its Gaming for Everyone Product Inclusion Framework to game developers at GDC 2024. This comprehensive set of resources aims to assist game developers in creating more approachable, representative, globally accessible, and accessible games.
The Gaming for Everyone Product Inclusion Framework focuses on four key areas, or “Inclusive Growth Doorways,” that developers can use to weave intentionality and inclusion into their products:
- Approachability: Making games more inviting and enjoyable for all players, regardless of their skill level or familiarity with gaming.
- Representation: Ensuring that games reflect the diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives of players, both in terms of content and character design.
- Globalization: Considering regional preferences, cultural sensitivities, and language options to make games appealing to a global audience.
- Accessibility: Designing games that can be enjoyed by players with various abilities and disabilities.
Xbox has created a central Resource Hub, accessible via https://aka.ms/ProductInclusion, to help developers utilize the framework effectively. This hub includes tangible examples, best practices, case studies, and other valuable resources.
Xbox has been using and refining this framework internally since 2019 and is now offering it to the public. By making these resources available, Xbox hopes to empower developers to create more inclusive gaming experiences for everyone.
For more information about the Gaming for Everyone Product Inclusion Framework, visit the Xbox Developer website at https://developer.microsoft.com/en-us/games/resources/productinclusion/.
