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VIDEOGAMES: God of War: Ragnarok Showcases Body and Racial Diversity

God of War: Ragnarok

With fresh gameplay shown at the PlayStation Showcase, God of War: Ragnarok is showing some much needed diversity. Of course, some corners of the internet aren’t happy about it. The game will follow the 2018 PS4 title set in the world of Norse mythology. As the second and final part of the story, Ragnarok is set to include some of the more commonly known gods from mythology like Odin and Freya. That also includes Thor. Now, contrary to popular belief, Thor is not a buff and impossibly good looking Avenger. Thor is the god of thunder. He has great strength. … Read more

STUDY: Video Games Must Do Better With LGBTQ+ representation

Video Games - Deposit Photos

A damning new study has highlighted the lack of diversity in video games and how Twitch streamers perpetuate toxic masculinity. The study, titled “The Double-Edged Sword of Online Gaming”, explores how gaming can both help and hinder male gamers, with poor representation countered by community. It comes from The Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media and Promundo-US. The study found that male characters outnumber female by four-to-one, and white characters outnumber characters of colour three-to-one. Those white characters are significantly more likely to display violence compared with characters of colour (51.7 per cent of characters compared with 33.6 per cent). Full Story from … Read more

STUDY: Apex Legends is Most Diverse Video Game

Apex Legends - Seer

Apex Legends is the most diverse game, according to a new study. The study, by gaming company Diamond Lobby, analysed the diversity of video game characters across gender and race. The top finding is that almost 80 per cent of preset characters in games are male, while 54 per cent of main characters are white. The study looked at over 100 games from 2017 – 2021, beginning with the 10 highest selling titles from each year and then adding in major releases from the biggest publishers. Games with fully customisable characters were then removed (such as Animal Crossing: New Horizons) … Read more

New Racing Game Forza Horizon Adding Pronoun Options

Forza Horizon - Xbox

Forza Horizon 5, the next entry in the Xbox exclusive racing series, will include pronoun options in its character customiser. The game was revealed at the Xbox E3 showcase, though further details have been uncovered in an FAQ on the game’s website. Various new modes will be included in the game, such as the EventLab to create your own races and a story campaign. Most interesting is not just car customisation, but player character customisation. The character customiser has been “improved to provide players with a more diverse cast of selectable characters” reads the FAQ. Full Story from Pink News

FOR WRITERS: Defining Diversity

diversity - pixabay

FOR WRITERS Today’s writer topic comes from QSFer Scott: As an author, you probably see requests all the time for “diversity” in fiction. But what does diversity mean to you? Please be kind to one another on this one. Writers: This is a writer chat – you are welcome to share your own book/link, as long as it fits the chat, but please do so as part of a discussion about the topic. Join the chat: FB: http://bit.ly/1MvPABVMeWe: http://bit.ly/2mjg8lf

TV: Buffy’s Lesbian Witch Says reboot Could Be Really Diverse

Buffy 1.0

Buffy the Vampire Slayer star Amber Benson has thrown her weight behind the planned reboot, saying she would like to see the story told in a “diverse world”. It was reported in 2018 that the series’ creator Joss Whedon was working on a planned reboot that would star a Black actress as Buffy. Producer and screenwriter Monica Owusu-Breen was named as showrunner on the planned reboot, and fans have been anxiously waiting further details ever since. Benson, who played lesbian character Tara Maclay during the show’s original run, told Digital Spy that she is in favour of the reboot. “I was so excited because Joss … Read more

FOR READERS: Reading Diversity

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FOR READERS Today’s reader topic comes from QSFer Ryane Chatman: As a reader what do you do to increase your reading diversity? Author wise and character wise? Writers: This is a reader chat – you are welcome to join it, but please do not reference your own works directly. Thanks! Join the chat: FB: http://bit.ly/1MvPABVMeWe: http://bit.ly/2mjg8lf

FOR READERS: Reading Diversity

diversity - pixabay

FOR WRITERS Today’s writer topic comes from QSFer Ryane Chatman: As a reader what do you do to increase your reading diversity? Author wise and character wise? Writers: This is a writer chat – you are welcome to share your own book/link, as long as it fits the chat, but please do so as part of a discussion about the topic. Join the chat

ANNOUNCEMENT/GIVEAWAY: The Hands We’re Given, by O.E. Tearmann

The Hands We're Given - O.E. Tearmann

O.E. Tearmann has a new MM (trans) hard sci fi/cyberpunk tale out, book one in their “Aces High, Jokers Wild” series: “The Hands We’re Given.” Aidan Headly never wanted to be the man giving orders. That’s fine with the Democratic State Force base he’s been assigned to command: they don’t like to take orders. Nicknamed the Wildcards, they used to be the most effective base against the seven Corporations owning the former United States in a war that has lasted over half a century. Now the Wildcards are known for creative insubordination, chaos, and commanders begging to be reassigned. Aidan … Read more

FOR WRITERS: Writing Other Identities

diversity - pixabay

FOR WRITERS Today’s writer topic comes from QSFer Lex Chase: There’s a whole rainbow of character types and identities to choose from. If you only write gay or lesbian characters, is it because you’re worried you will get the details of other sexualities wrong? Or are you another letter on the rainbow and don’t write your own? What’s stopping you? Writers: This is a writer chat – you are welcome to share your own book/link, as long as it fits the chat, but please do so as part of a discussion about the topic. Join the chat