Game Difficulty and Intersectionality
Explore the hidden aspects that add further difficulty for certain groups of players in games.
Difficulty within game design is termed as “the amount of skill required by the player to accomplish a goal or process through the game” [1]. Game difficulty is dependent on the genre of the game where the rate of difficulty can either be modified prior to play or based on skill of the player themselves. However, the difficulty of a game becomes inherently harder when an individual experiences intense harassment from other players. Cyberbullying is a prevalent issue on gaming platforms that becomes more pronounced when blending inclusion issues into game design.
1. Valério, R. (2021, May 23). Understanding Difficulty in Game Design (motivations and learning curves). Medium.
To truly talk about diversity and inclusivity in the gaming sphere, we need to be intersectional in our discussions on contributing factors to game difficulty. Individuals from different demographic backgrounds tend to avoid gaming environments due to a combination of bullying and harassment faced in these spaces. By looking through the intersectional lens faced by women, people of color, individuals in the LGBTQIA+ community, and those with a disability or limited mobility, this site aims to build a sense of belonging within the gaming community to raise awareness of situations faced and provide support with resources to help. The target audience we are trying to reach is individuals who may be unaware of these issues and, also, for victims of negative behaviors and experiences. In the end, it is up to game developers to help create a safe, diverse, and inclusive environment to ensure players can fully enjoy the gaming experience.
Explore the hidden aspects that add further difficulty for certain groups of players in games.
