Words have the power to transform your game. They can craft narratives, shape player perceptions, and foster a welcoming community. Use them wisely to create a space where players connect and thrive.
- Language is a tool. Use it deliberately, recognizing that your word choices have a ripple effect beyond the immediate context.
- Stereotypes can have real-world consequences, making it harder for people from marginalized groups to be seen as individuals.
- Think beyond the story. Language appears throughout most games, and your choices can impact player behavior and therefore community health.
- By consciously designing how language is used in your games, you’ll not only create more impactful and nuanced experiences but also foster a healthier, more inclusive environment for everyone to enjoy.
The impact of language and gaming
While the idea that language fully determines our worldview is debated, the core principle remains: The words we use have a subtle but significant impact on how we think and perceive the world. Cultures with fewer words for specific colors, for example, have been shown to perceive them differently; this isn’t due to visual acuity but rather how our language categorizes our sensory reality.
The same mechanism is at play within games. As engines of culture, games have the power to shape beliefs and worldviews. We share a responsibility as developers to wield this power thoughtfully and take care with the language we use.
The risk: Unconscious bias and learning
Players, particularly young and impressionable ones, don’t simply consume games passively. They often identify with characters, even trying to emulate them, as well as learn from their in-game experiences. This can lead to the unconscious internalization of biases and stereotypes:
- Social learning theory — We learn behaviors and attitudes from observing others. Characters in games act as models of behavior, and repeated exposure to stereotypes can normalize them, making them seem acceptable in real life.
- Priming — Seeing a stereotype in a game can activate that stereotype in a player’s mind, influencing how they perceive and interact with people in the real world. For example, if a game consistently portrays a specific ethnicity as criminals, it may subtly prime a player to be more suspicious of people from that group outside the game.
- Cultivation theory — Long-term exposure to negative or stereotypical portrayals can distort a player’s sense of reality. For example, if games consistently show women in secondary roles, the player may begin to believe that this reflects women’s place in society.
- Absence matters — The lack of positive, diverse representation is harmful. If players only encounter certain identity groups in narrow roles (e.g., villains, sidekicks), it reinforces the idea that these groups are limited to those specific roles or that those traits reflect real-life traits.
By critically examining common tropes and assumptions, we can create truly inclusive games.
What the impact can look like
Players process game content differently based on age, life experiences, and media literacy. This internalization often happens subtly, making it difficult for players to recognize and counteract. As a developer, you might see:
- Internalized stereotypes — Players may unconsciously adopt stereotypes, leading to prejudice, discrimination, or even unconscious microaggressions.
- Distorted expectations — Players may form unrealistic expectations about how different groups should act, creating challenges for real-world interactions.
- Reduced empathy — Players may have reduced ability to empathize with people from those groups outside the game if they are constantly encountering stereotypes.
Common problematic representations in media:
- The “magical minority” stereotype — A character of color who possesses exceptional skills or knowledge solely because of their race reinforces the idea that minorities are somehow “otherworldly” and not capable of achieving greatness through hard work and talent.
- The “damsel in distress” trope — A female character who is constantly in need of rescuing reinforces the idea that women are weak and passive. This can be particularly discouraging for young girls who see these portrayals.
- Hypersexualization — Overtly sexualizing female characters, or characters who deviate from traditional gender norms, can be exploitative and contribute to the objectification of women and LGBTQ+ individuals.
Diversity-minded design can help us welcome a wide range of players.
Balancing narrative freedom with responsibility
Responsible storytelling should not stifle creativity but expand your creative toolbox. By being mindful of your choices, you ensure that your game resonates with a wider audience. Here’s how to address common concerns and proactively create a more inclusive and impactful game:
- “It’s just a joke” — Humor should never be an excuse for harmful or careless design. Seek and be receptive to feedback about how your jokes might land, especially for players from marginalized backgrounds. This awareness will help you craft humor that’s potentially funny for everyone.
- “But that’s not what I meant” — Impact matters. Players interact with your final creation, not your intent. Consider how your choices could be perceived and strive for portrayals that resonate positively with a diverse player base.
- “This is overkill for us” — Impact isn’t proportional. Being mindful of language and representation, even for minor characters, fosters a more inclusive experience, attracting and retaining a wider range of players. Strive for awareness in all design.
- “We don’t want to patronize players” — Respectful and responsible storytelling does not equate to condescending. Find a balance between utilizing authentic dialogue and portraying respectful communication that still fits your game’s tone and personality.
- “This is too hard” — Changing communication habits can trigger fear and defensiveness. Offer empathy and understanding, recognizing the vulnerability involved. Create a supportive environment where individuals feel safe to express their struggles and embrace growth.
Ultimately, language is not a neutral tool — it subtly influences how we perceive the world, shaping our biases, behaviors, and even how we understand reality itself. In game design, this power can be harnessed to create not just entertainment but worlds that challenge assumptions, foster empathy, and eventually transform how players see themselves and others.
Inclusive language is key to dismantling biases and creating a more welcoming game experience.
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References
- Boroditsky, L. (2009). How does our language shape the way we think? Edge.org.
- Deutscher, G. (2010). Does your language shape how you think? New York Times Magazine.
- Flanagan, M. (2009). Critical Play: Radical Game Design.
- Flanagan, M. & Nissenbaum, H. (2014). Values at Play in Digital Games.
- Winawer, J. et al. (2007). Russian blues reveal effects of language on color discrimination.
