Reducing Discrimination via Intergroup Contact

Games connect people from all walks of life. By designing to facilitate positive interactions between diverse groups, we can break down prejudice and create more understanding communities inside and outside the game.

Big takeaways

Thoughtful exposure to people with different identities and backgrounds (intergroup contact) can help reduce discrimination.
Intentional design is crucial. Superficial exposure is not enough. Consider your game’s unique context — genre, mechanics, audience — when applying these principles.
Aim for ongoing improvement and be ready to adjust your approach based on player feedback.

How developers can leverage intergroup contact

Intergroup Contact Theory suggests that positive interactions between people from different backgrounds can effectively reduce prejudice, whether through direct play or exposure to diverse identities and stories. As designers, this opens up a wealth of possibilities to help promote greater inclusivity, respect, and acceptance.

Design for inclusion

Equalize status — Minimize power imbalances within the game environment to encourage connections beyond existing biases.
Avoid unwanted conflict — Avoid pitting identity groups against each other. Consider playful divisions to promote cooperation (e.g., “cats vs. dogs” rather than “girls vs. boys”).

Splatoon splatfest announcers — The *Splatoon* series features “Splatfests” that center around a silly debate, allowing players to choose a side (e.g., Mayo vs. Ketchup, Chicken vs. Egg). Image courtesy of TIGG.

Respect identity and context

Respect individuality — Erasing individual experiences can decrease empathy for those from marginalized identities. A player’s individual identity is important to the overall goal of exposing people to broader perspectives and backgrounds.
Be mindful of power dynamics — Existing power dynamics and historical conflict can and will complicate interactions. Be sensitive to historical and regional contexts. Consult with experts to understand how existing power structures might influence interactions.

Screenshot from Night in the Woods — More than just choices, games can reveal individuality through compelling narratives. *Night in the Woods* invites you into the lives of deeply realized characters as they navigate personal struggles and self-discovery. This rich portrayal encourages empathy for the complexities of everyday lives. Image courtesy of Infinite Ammo and Secret Lab.

Promote player empowerment

Consent matters — Never force identity disclosure. Prioritize player agency and privacy.
Prepare for resistance — Not all players will be receptive — some will adapt more slowly, and others may even be hostile toward cultures or backgrounds new to them. Protect vulnerable players and address hostility within your community.

Encourage healthy connections

Beware of depersonalization — A barrier exists between online identities and the full person behind the screen, leading to reliance on harmful stereotypes. Combat this through proactive moderation and designs that promote shared humanity and positive connections.
Encourage friendship (but don’t overdo it) — Social connections within the game increase the positive impact of contact and promote accountability. However, recognize that friendship is not always realistic or the only sign of success.

Screenshot from Kind Words — *Kind Words (lo fi chill beats to write to)* focuses on sending anonymous letters of support and encouragement to other players. It creates a safe space for sharing vulnerabilities and kindness, reminding players of the real people behind the screen. Image courtesy of TIGG.

big idea Diversity-Minded Game Design

Diversity-minded design can help us welcome a wide range of players.

What does good look like?

When evaluating your success, consider your game’s genre, mechanics, and audience. Keep in mind that communities are dynamic and complex — you should aim for a healthier community, not a perfect one. Success in this will help promote player retention and a more resilient community. Also note that evaluation should be ongoing — look for gradual shifts over time and be ready to refine your approach based on what you learn.

Here’s a breakdown of the signs to consider when evaluating your efforts to reduce discrimination via intergroup contact:

Individual level

Success signs:

Increased empathy — Players express genuine understanding and concern for characters from groups other than their own.
Curiosity and respect — Players actively seek information about other cultures or identities represented in the game.
Challenging stereotypes — Players question their own biases and push back against harmful stereotypes portrayed by others.

Warning signs:

Tokenism — Players perceive diversity as shallow or forced, undermining the message of inclusion.
Reinforced stereotypes — Characters become caricatures instead of complex individuals, strengthening negative perceptions.
Backlash — Players from dominant groups feel threatened or resentful of diversity efforts. Players from marginalized groups may feel disrespected or misrepresented.

Group level

Success signs:

Collaboration — Players from diverse backgrounds form positive in-game relationships based on shared goals and interests (this can range from a single instance of cooperation up to and including friendships).
Healthy conflict resolution — In-game conflicts are resolved with respect and compromise, modeling healthy intergroup interaction.
Reduced misbehavior — Fewer instances of hate speech or targeted harassment based on a player’s perceived identity.

Warning signs:

Segregation — Players form cliques based on identity, reducing genuine interaction across groups.
Heightened competition — The game fosters cutthroat competition tied to group identities, rather than cooperation.
Increased hate speech — Escalation of harassment and prejudice against marginalized characters or players.

Community level

Success signs:

Inclusive atmosphere — Players from marginalized groups feel welcome and safe to participate in community discussions.
Shared values — The community rallies around positive shared values like respect, inclusion, or cooperation within the game world.
Positive representation — Players create content (e.g., fan art, guides, and stories) reflecting a diverse, positive view of different cultures and identities.

Warning signs:

Increased hostility and aggression — Discussions become hostile and exclusionary, leading to attacks on players from certain backgrounds.
“Us vs. them” mentality — The community divides along identity lines, fostering conflict rather than connection.
Negative reputation — The game gains a reputation for a “toxic” environment, deterring new players and alienating potential allies.