Gaming with the Subaltern - CHIPlay 2018 (SubaltGUR2018)

Players, developers, and researchers recognize the lack of diversity in digital gaming and in games research; however, corrective action often takes the form of stereotypes, tokenism, and ignorance of intersectional perspectives. Meanwhile, the negative effects on player experiences within under-represented and marginalized players—i.e., the subaltern—persist.

Our goals are to gather the community of diversity researchers, share our knowledge and practices with one another, and collectively understand the intersections of power axes (e.g., race, gender, ability, neuroatypicality, culture) in games research. We will address questions, such as:

How do individual differences affect results, methods, and gameplay experiences?
What perspectives and experiences are shared by people across power axes? Which are unique?
What do game researchers and developers need to understand regarding identity dynamics when gathering data, interpreting results, or presenting information?
What does intersectionality (i.e., considering multiple power axes in combination) look like in gaming, game development and research?
Our hope is that shared insights will help our community move from simply valuing diversity toward successful intersectional practices—in research, development, and play.

Through four blocks of facilitated discussion and exercises, we will situate our shared knowledge within our lived experiences, collectively reframe diversity challenges as opportunities, outline systems for change, and discuss future directions.

More information on the workshop structure and organizer bios is available on the website. Submit an expression of interest: a brief (1-2 page) statement of your experience in diversity and inclusion within games—as a researcher, developer, or player—and a short biography.

All interested attendees will be welcomed to participate.

Note that SWaGUR.ca will cover workshop registration fees for 10 attendees who would otherwise be unable to attend due to finances; please include in your submission if you require financial support.

Publication

Gaming with the Subaltern will publish the workshop's progress throughout the day. An online space for reflection and continued communication will be established on our site.