Shaping Inclusive Spaces with Words

Whether your game focuses on narrative or not, word choice in game design has the power to shape player perceptions and communities. Even a well-intentioned game can inadvertently perpetuate harmful stereotypes. Learn how to spot and address potential biases in games of any size or genre with these tools.

Ask the right questions

The first step is to be open to critically examining your choices. Asking the right questions can help you identify areas of risk and improvement. This section will help you reflect and identify conscious design choices in some key areas of development.

Character design and dialogue

Characters’ words, tone, and speech patterns leave a mark. Examine if these choices enhance your story or simply reflect rushed or careless design.

Ask yourself:

Normalization vs. critique — Am I unintentionally relying on harmful tropes or stereotypes, even in subtle ways? Do I reinforce biases that make it harder for players from marginalized groups to feel represented fairly?
Modeling behavior — Could my character portrayals encourage players to behave inappropriately in real life? Am I providing positive models of conflict resolution and respect or social consequences for undesirable behaviors?
Empathy and resolution — Can characters disagree or conflict respectfully? Do they model positive conflict resolution skills, showing compromise or forgiveness?

Method Designing Characters for Healthy Communities

Characters in your game have the power to shape perceptions at any age.

World-building and lore

Your game’s vocabulary creates a framework through which players understand its rules and values. It also can provide commentary on the worlds and cultures it seeks to represent.

Ask yourself:

Vocabulary of power — What words do I use to describe factions, groups, or locations in my game? Do they subtly paint real-world groups as “good” and “bad,” even if that’s not my intention?
Normalizing harm — Does the language I use in quests or objectives make violence, aggression, or exploitation seem acceptable or even aspirational? Are factions described in dehumanizing ways that normalize violence?
Historical context — If borrowing from real-world cultures or historical events, am I handling them respectfully and seeking help where I lack knowledge? Or am I perpetuating stereotypes or misrepresenting history for the sake of gameplay?

Method Steps to Avoid Casual Colonialism in Design

Avoiding problematic tropes requires intentional design choices, from the stories we tell to the mechanics we employ.

Player-to-player interactions

Even in games with minimal narrative, the tone you set influences how players communicate. Tolerating slurs and insults normalizes them, driving away marginalized players and their allies. This can further damage your game’s reputation, suggesting your studio condones such behavior.

Ask yourself:

Community behavior — Does my game provide tools for reporting hate speech and addressing disruptive behavior among players? Am I fostering a sense of shared responsibility for maintaining an inclusive environment?
Language policing vs. positive models — Am I relying mainly on banning negative words, or am I also providing examples of respectful, empathetic communication that players can emulate?
In-game consequences — If NPCs or characters engage in abusive language, are there in-game consequences that reflect negatively on those choices? Do I provide examples in my game world of positive interactions being valued?

Method Communication: The Cornerstone of Teamwork

Learn how communication design can empower seamless interaction, reduce friction, and cultivate greater harmony.

Accessibility

Accessibility in gaming often focuses on mechanics and controls, but language plays a critical role in how we think about and treat people of differing abilities and backgrounds.

Ask yourself:

Assumed knowledge — Am I using jargon or slang that might exclude players from less dominant cultures or those new to gaming or the genre? Can I provide an accessible glossary or tutorial?
Cognitive load — Are instructions overly complex, or is the UI easy to understand for users with different learning needs?
Sensory inclusivity — Do I offer options for colorblind players, closed captions, or adjustable text sizes for those with visual or auditory impairments?

To learn more about accessibility, see The Big Picture on Digital Accessibility: Everyone Can Play.

Other considerations

Target audience — Younger players are inherently more receptive to normalization. Adjust complexity accordingly.
Genre expectations — Does your game style heavily promote gritty realism or satirical excess? Player expectations within those contexts matter.
Community moderation — Great character design isn’t enough. Robust in-game tools for filtering / reporting abuse and proactive outreach by community managers are equally vital. See our resources on moderation.
Sensitivity — For sensitive topics, or those outside your team’s lived experience, consult with sensitivity experts to ensure respectful and authentic representation. If your game explores particularly difficult themes (hate speech, trauma, etc.), provide links to external support organizations or educational resources for players who may be personally affected.

Crafting inclusive games begins with mindful word choices. By critically examining your writing at all stages of development, you can identify potential areas for improvement and create experiences that resonate positively with a diverse player base.