Video games are a reflection of our lives and times, as we go through today. Naturally this means there are a great many ways in which we find cultural influences on game design. Without even knowing it, developers are influenced by their personal experiences and this comes through in their work. This means that players receive a game with diverse cultures, stories, and experiences absorbed into its foundations.
The Last of Us features a transgender character named Krem, the trailer for GTA 6 features a Latina protagonist, and Overcast has a diverse cast of characters with different body styles, races, and gender identities.
In game design studio, culture influences everything from character design and storytelling to gameplay mechanics and environmental aesthetics. This is a natural consequence of globalization that allows for tremendous cross-cultural exchange and collaboration.
For the developers as well as the players, this results in a unique experience with the game development process and the gameplay that fosters a greater understanding and appreciation of different cultures. It also comes with its challenges that must be diligently overcome with care, such as cultural sensitivity, representation, and the need for effective localization.
In this article, we take you on a journey that showcases how culture influences the game design industry and how it can be carefully nurtured for regional applications that save your work from committing a faux-pas.
Cultural Diversity in Game Design
Incorporating diversity in video games is a beautiful expression of cultural identity across the globe. Game developers have the opportunity to infuse virtual worlds with various traditions, beliefs, and experiences. This is reflected in the character design, which enables players to feel represented in the game they love and spend a lot of time with.
Diversity in the gaming industry belongs to both inside and outside the game. According to a survey by the International Game Developers Association (IGDA), 81% of developers believe that representing a diverse culture in games is necessary to the industry’s growth. Furthermore, when it comes to the gender landscape, men still make up over two-thirds of game developers, with only 23% being women, 21% being from the LGBTQ+ community, and 5% being non-binary.
Games can effectively become the reality for players as soon as they turn on the console, especially now with the growing accessibility to virtual reality gaming. To have their identity be a part of the character is an impactful act. From the rebellious Chloe Price from Life is Strange: Before the Storm, to the morally ambiguous broken man named Joel in the Last of Us, or a stoic samurai of feudal Japan, the possibilities are endless.
Video games are a powerful medium to bring people together from around the world, from different cultures and diverse languages to share a sense of community through the gameplay. It is a testament to the universal language of play.
Localization and Adaptation
The ability to modify a game for players of different cultural backgrounds is exciting. Not only does it allow your game to reach a wider audience of gamers (thereby increasing its commercial viability), it also fosters inclusivity and cultural appreciation within the gaming community.
Localization involves translating and adapting a game’s text, dialogue, and user interface elements into different languages. Furthermore, it encompasses the cultural nuances, idiomatic expressions, and even graphical adjustments to accommodate cultural sensitivities and preferences.
Adaptation involves modifying gameplay mechanics, content, and imagery to resonate with specific cultural contexts, further enhancing the game’s appeal and relevance in different markets.
Cultural Sensitivity and Representation
The narratives weaved from culture influence the perceptions and attitudes toward said culture. So, it is necessary to develop the representation with care and respect. This means avoiding stereotypes, caricatures, or misappropriations that can perpetuate harmful or offensive portrayals, especially in character modeling for games.
This requires extensive research, consultation with cultural experts, and collaboration with diverse voices within the industry to prioritize authenticity, empathy, and inclusivity.
Featuring diverse characters, settings, and narratives empowers players to see themselves reflected in the virtual worlds. Especially if they belong to marginalized communities, this helps in validating their identities and experiences.
Influence of Cultural Trends on Game Design
The demand for diverse gameplay elements is growing and it allows for the creation of narratives that feature themes of social justice, identity, and inclusion. This mirrors the social changes we see in the real world, capturing the prevailing attitudes, values, and interests of our times.
Developers also take inspiration from pop culture, historical events, or emerging subcultures to create experiences that resonate with contemporary audiences. The latest trends or the nostalgia of retro games can also influence the game design’s direction.
Cross-Cultural Collaboration and Inspiration
Diverse influences drive creativity and innovation, leading to the exchange of ideas, perspectives, and experiences. This means a group of people working on a game’s design pour in their unique insights, skills, and perspectives to the creative process.
Cultural influences in game design also bolster business areas like marketing, distribution, and community engagement to ultimately deliver a game that can transcend geographical, lingual, and cultural boundaries.
Celebrating Cultural Diversity with Video Games
Developers have the amazing opportunity today to keep creating unique and immersive games that reflect cultural diversity with authenticity and respect. It is a give and take with society that is appreciated in all aspects of life and business.
A pioneering game design studio like EDIIIE can help you navigate the challenges of incorporating a diverse narrative respectfully, with aspects like character modeling for games, with a cast composed of varied races, nationalities, and gender, etc.
