Character Diversity in Digital and Non-Digital Games

Key insights

7 takeaways

01
Game designers can represent diverse and non-normative identities through five primary channels: visual design, abstract representation, setting and roles, conversation design, and rule and system design.See it on page 4
02
Digital games offer high control over identity representation through pre-scripted dialogue and automated processing of complex character attributes, as seen in the skill-based development of Princess Elodie in 'Long Live the Queen'.See it on page 16
03
Non-digital games often rely on improvisational role-play and meta-conversational techniques, such as post-game debriefs, to explore identity, though they carry a higher risk of replicating negative social biases compared to digital counterparts.See it on page 21
04
Mechanics like those in 'Heroes Wanted' use randomized character creation to disrupt gender and ethnic stereotypes, demonstrating how rule systems can actively challenge normative player assumptions.See it on page 12
05
The platform of a game dictates its design affordances; digital systems excel at managing complex, data-heavy character updates, while non-digital games facilitate social negotiation and the potential for players to explore 'corner cases' that break established rules.See it on page 18
06
Engaging with diverse characters through 'experience-taking' in games can serve as a psychological buffer against stereotype threat and has been shown to reduce prejudice by allowing players to simulate the subjective experiences of marginalized groups.See it on page 6
07
An end-to-end design approach for diversity must account for the long-term lifespan of games, as digital titles face potential obsolescence due to hardware changes, whereas non-digital games may persist for centuries.See it on page 28

Summary

Character diversity in gaming requires a transition from superficial visual representation toward an integrated, end-to-end design philosophy that challenges normative power structures. By examining both digital and non-digital titles, it becomes clear that authentic depictions of marginalized and non-normative identities rely on five core design pillars: visual aesthetics, abstract statistics, character roles, conversational depth, and rule-based systems. These elements function interdependently, allowing designers to move beyond simple avatar customization to create experiences that foster genuine player empathy and perspective-taking.

The effectiveness of these strategies is contingent upon the unique affordances of the chosen medium. Digital games utilize computational complexity to model social responses and control narrative delivery, while non-digital games leverage improvisational flexibility and player co-creation to explore complex social dynamics. Regardless of the platform, the most successful implementations utilize embedded design, where identity is woven into the mechanics or revealed through narrative pacing. However, such approaches require critical awareness to avoid inadvertently reinforcing existing stereotypes or marginalizing the very identities they aim to represent.

A comprehensive approach to inclusivity must span the entire lifecycle of a game, encompassing pre-play expectations, the in-game experience, and post-play social interactions. Designers are encouraged to match specific diversity affordances to player needs while actively questioning normative assumptions throughout the development process. By treating diversity as a foundational element rather than an aesthetic afterthought, the industry can create more inclusive experiences that remain relevant as social dynamics evolve. This analytical framework provides a roadmap for developers to move toward more nuanced, systemic representations that reflect the diversity of the global gaming audience.