the GDI Playbook
a free, research-driven, digital resource to help game creators develop inclusive narratives and characters
64%
are more likely to play a video game with characters that are more diverse than the characters they usually see in video games
of players
Let's shape a gaming world that welcomes ALL players.
We’re empowering game creators to better reflect today's diverse gaming audience.
Brought to you by the Geena Davis Institute
Whose mission is to use data and insights to reinvent, transform and inspire how global content creators and media tell stories through authentic portrayals of the population in entertainment.
With guidance from the GDI Gaming Advisory Council
a collaboration with nearly two dozen game industry leaders.
GDI
Playbook.org
Executive Summary
Flip Cards with Key Terms
Explore Five Keys to Inclusive Game Design
Content Sample
Key 3, Achievement 1: Portray
Why do portrayals matter?
Avatars are more than just cosmetic choices for a player.
For example, the “Proteus Effect” (named for Proteus, a god of the sea in Greek mythology who was able to change form) is the phenomenon where an avatar’s age, attractiveness, height, skin color, and gender influenced aspects of players’ behavior, including their extraversion, aggression, and risk-taking.
Research on “gender swapping” in games reveals social expectations linked to a character’s gender, such as healing-related behavior.1
Men that played female characters
engaged in more healing-related behavior.
engaged in less healing-related behavior.
Women that played male characters
Key 3, Achievement 3: Construct
Visual Design and Gender Expression
Game mechanics often reveal a gender disparity between skill and survival. Male characters typically acquire more protective armor as they level up, but female characters continue to be portrayed in revealing and impractical (and nonprotective) clothing even as they grow more powerful.
AI-generated character: "male video game character with armor"
AI-generated character: "female video game character with armor"
Key 3, Achievement 3: Construct
Questions to Ask
For some of your characters, ask the following questions to better understand who is sexualized and who is not. Does this character…
- Have unrealistic body proportions?
- Wear revealing clothing? Does their clothing fall off or rip in certain scenarios?
- Appear physically submissive or dominant in their standard poses?
- Appear sexually objectified?
Key 3, In-Game Example
In-Game Example
Horizon Zero Dawn: Aloy
In the post-apocalyptic game Horizon Zero Dawn, it was important to the women-led development team that the game’s female protagonist, Aloy, had an interesting and complex personality, regardless of her gender. She is not defined by her female identity, nor are her abilities or achievements diminished by comparing them to those of men. Her physical features are realistic, as is her attire — which is actually suitable to her tasks!
Image credit: Guerrilla Games
Bonus: The narrative interrupts the “fridged woman” trope when another female character, Ersa, not only survives being captured for a sacrifice but also goes on to lead an army that would eventually defeat the king who was responsible.
Image credit: Guerrilla Games
Resource List
Are you ready to start?
Let's Go!
GDI Playbook Demo
Diane Urban
Created on December 12, 2024
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Transcript
the GDI Playbook
a free, research-driven, digital resource to help game creators develop inclusive narratives and characters
64%
are more likely to play a video game with characters that are more diverse than the characters they usually see in video games
of players
Let's shape a gaming world that welcomes ALL players.
We’re empowering game creators to better reflect today's diverse gaming audience.
Brought to you by the Geena Davis Institute
Whose mission is to use data and insights to reinvent, transform and inspire how global content creators and media tell stories through authentic portrayals of the population in entertainment.
With guidance from the GDI Gaming Advisory Council
a collaboration with nearly two dozen game industry leaders.
GDI
Playbook.org
Executive Summary
Flip Cards with Key Terms
Explore Five Keys to Inclusive Game Design
Content Sample
Key 3, Achievement 1: Portray
Why do portrayals matter?
Avatars are more than just cosmetic choices for a player.
For example, the “Proteus Effect” (named for Proteus, a god of the sea in Greek mythology who was able to change form) is the phenomenon where an avatar’s age, attractiveness, height, skin color, and gender influenced aspects of players’ behavior, including their extraversion, aggression, and risk-taking.
Research on “gender swapping” in games reveals social expectations linked to a character’s gender, such as healing-related behavior.1
Men that played female characters
engaged in more healing-related behavior.
engaged in less healing-related behavior.
Women that played male characters
Key 3, Achievement 3: Construct
Visual Design and Gender Expression
Game mechanics often reveal a gender disparity between skill and survival. Male characters typically acquire more protective armor as they level up, but female characters continue to be portrayed in revealing and impractical (and nonprotective) clothing even as they grow more powerful.
AI-generated character: "male video game character with armor"
AI-generated character: "female video game character with armor"
Key 3, Achievement 3: Construct
Questions to Ask
For some of your characters, ask the following questions to better understand who is sexualized and who is not. Does this character…
Key 3, In-Game Example
In-Game Example
Horizon Zero Dawn: Aloy
In the post-apocalyptic game Horizon Zero Dawn, it was important to the women-led development team that the game’s female protagonist, Aloy, had an interesting and complex personality, regardless of her gender. She is not defined by her female identity, nor are her abilities or achievements diminished by comparing them to those of men. Her physical features are realistic, as is her attire — which is actually suitable to her tasks!
Image credit: Guerrilla Games
Bonus: The narrative interrupts the “fridged woman” trope when another female character, Ersa, not only survives being captured for a sacrifice but also goes on to lead an army that would eventually defeat the king who was responsible.
Image credit: Guerrilla Games
Resource List
Are you ready to start?
Let's Go!