For far too long, the Hispanic community has been underrepresented in the gaming industry, and as a passionate Latino gamer, this often broke my heart. Now, it’s time to change that. Whether it’s game development, e-sports, or content creation, we can help increase Latino presence in these fields using a few simple steps that I’m about to share.
So, without further ado, let’s dive into a few ways we can increase Hispanic representation in the gaming industry and create a more inclusive future.
Increasing Internet Access for Latino Communities
The internet is the foundation for Latino gamers, content creators, and developers to educate themselves in this field and make a living out of it, even from home.
Let’s face it, some of the best titles released in the past 10 years have been indie games. A Hispanic kid out there might have the next great idea, but sadly, not the knowledge or digital infrastructure needed to bring it to life. Similarly, a Latino gamer might have the set of skills needed to build a career in esports, but not the internet speed needed to support a setup.
Making internet access easier for Hispanic households can help Latino gaming enthusiasts access a lot of online learning materials and networking platforms, allowing them to build a career in gaming.
Luckily, some internet providers are stepping up by offering bilingual customer service. For example, Xfinity offers Spanish assistance through Xfinity Servicio al Cliente, making it easier for Hispanic homes to set up a fast and reliable connection.
Offering Gaming Courses in Educational Institutions
Gaming is a very technical industry, and offering gaming courses in educational institutions can help make it easier for Hispanic students to equip themselves with all the technical skills they need to build a career out of it, especially in a field like game development.
Working in game development for 5 years, I can tell you that it’s not just about coding. It requires careful planning and dedication, along with a high level of creativity and technical skills, to ensure the best user experience.
Partnering up with industry leaders to create relevant and useful courses can help develop Hispanic students’ interest in game development and provide them with all the up-to-date skills and insights they need to break into the industry.
Students can be brought up-to-speed on how to work with gaming engines like Unity and Unreal, the mechanics of console, pc, and mobile gaming, and how to monetize games. It would help to bring in Hispanic role models to relate to and further encourage Hispanic individuals to work their hardest.
Launching Diversity-Focused Internship Programs
An internship is one of the best ways for fresh Hispanic talent to apply all they’ve learnt, make a name for themselves, and secure a long-term job in the gaming industry.
Gaming companies can create internship programs dedicated to increasing diversity and raising the chances of gaming enthusiasts from minority groups to overcome personal and systemic barriers, such as racism.
During these internship programs, game developers may also have the chance to network with and learn from peers and seniors in the industry, leading to further growth opportunities such as entrepreneurship or collaborations to create new products.
To ensure this, however, companies may have to revise their hiring policies to make them more inclusive. Additionally, they may also have to develop mentorship and leadership programs to help these individuals land managerial or executive-level roles.
Creating More Funding Initiatives
Even if a Hispanic individual plans to create an indie game, launch their own channel, or practice for an upcoming e-sports competition, they will need at least some funding for the resources needed to put their product out there.
These resources can include hardware such as computers, controllers, and processors, and software to create game assets, such as music or environments, to name a few. For Hispanic individuals who already have limited income, putting their savings into it could be highly risky.
Launching more funding initiatives for such individuals can help them put their talents to good use, whether it’s through launching a gaming-focused streaming channel, a career in e-sports, or creating possibly the next big indie game.
There are currently a few such programs targeted towards Hispanic individuals, such as the LatinXInGaming and the Latino Representation in Gaming Coalition, but more of these could help a higher number of Hispanic individuals enter gaming, overcoming the current underrepresentation that exists.
Creating More Accurate Hispanic Characters
I am a firm believer that representation is directly linked to association, because everyone feels proud when they’re represented at a mainstream level.
Let me give you an example. I have been an avid GTA (Grand Theft Auto) fan since I was a kid, but ever since Rockstar announced that GTA 6 would have a Latina protagonist, I can’t wait for it to launch.
By moving from stereotypical Hispanic portrayals in gaming to more complex, realistic, and culturally accurate ones, gaming companies can inspire a whole generation of Hispanic individuals to engage with gaming, and maybe even their games.
This interest can also influence them to pursue a career in gaming, helping overcome the current disparity.
Hispanic Underrepresentation in Gaming – Time to Turn the Tables
Growing up, I’d rarely seen any accurate portrayal of Hispanic individuals in games, and very few Hispanic individuals in the industry. Despite these discouragements, I knew that change would come one day.
With the steps above, it can.
From the power of something as simple as an internet connection to easier funding programs, we can soon witness a more diverse gaming industry.
