As a video game journalist, this week has been absolute madness for me. There are tons of events going on, and I don’t have enough eyes to watch them all and still manage to be a functional adult. So, I decided to make a different selection this year and get into the other side of virtual events. Setting aside the obvious, I went for the showcases that don’t receive enough attention and conversation.
One of them is Black Voices in Gaming, which I was looking forward to watching. And I must say that all in all, the showcase left me with two specific reflections; how cool it was to feel natural conversations and genuine interaction, but also how sad it was to see how little audience it reached.
From my side of the situation, I am well aware that my responsibility is to raise awareness and support the voices that aren’t heard enough (and listen to them). And what concerns me the most is that now more than ever, events such as Black Voices in Gaming don’t have the presence they deserve.
✨Exclusive announcement: @adamkareem has signed a publishing deal with @PlayHumbleGames!!!!! Big congrats to Adam and his game @protodroidDeLTA!!!
— Black Voices in Gaming (@BVIGaming) June 8, 2022
Tune in with our hosts @Dnbc32 and @DerrickVFields! pic.twitter.com/zsKPdwrlDJ
Starting from the fact that it is a non-profit looking out for its community, it is harder for them to reach out as far as big companies. But that doesn’t stop this group. Starting alongside the Black Lives Matter movement, Black Voices in Gaming has now had two virtual events in which they got together for a couple of hours and gave BIPOC members of the gaming community a space to display their works. Beautiful titles have even been showcased. So many stories have been shared, from people who just got started in the game development to hardcore fans of specific game genres to creatives who go the extra mile with unique ideas.
Currently debuting gameplay from @SCOTTPOPULAR's Ninjaman And The Six Gold Chains! pic.twitter.com/wm7RPqamnS
— Black Voices in Gaming (@BVIGaming) June 8, 2022
It is as enjoyable as it is wholesome. The conversations feel genuine, as if friends got together to show off how good they’re all doing. And everyone gets excited about the others’ achievements. I think this is what video game events sometimes miss—the human connection among gaming community members.
WE WANT TO PLAY THIS GAME @KaizenCreed SO BAD!!!!!
— Black Voices in Gaming (@BVIGaming) June 8, 2022
Tune in right now to check out the hosts' @Dnbc32 and @DerrickVFields interview with @BelovedUlinwa!!! pic.twitter.com/jZ3O5JIdZH
Black Voices in Gaming is more than a virtual event. It is a movement within a movement. It is a statement itself. The showcase advocates for creators that give life to stories and characters with broader visibility. How often do you see a BIPOC woman leading a game like Megaman? Exactly. This is why we need the existence of campaigns like this one, and more importantly, to spread them around, so they reach a larger audience.
Jordan is in the house! Make sure to check out @jordy_j_s's game Arbiter! pic.twitter.com/6psFOIMWh5
— Black Voices in Gaming (@BVIGaming) June 8, 2022
There is so much I could tell you about this edition’s announcements, but what I care the most about is getting the showcase itself out there. Not just one game or one dev, but all of them.
If you’re looking to watch this year’s Black Voices in Gaming, or share it with others, here’s the entire event:
What are your thoughts on this? Let me know in the comment section!
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