Different and Dynamic
Different Games Conference fosters an inclusive community
Photo credit: Emi Spicer
The weekend of April 8-10, the fourth annual Different Games Conference was held at New York University’s MAGNET (Media and Games Network). It was a fitting venue for the city’s first conference dedicated to addressing issues of diversity and inclusivity in games. DeAngela Duff, Co-Director of the Integrated Digital Media (IDM) program at the NYU Tandon School of Engineering, which co-sponsored the conference, explained: "The main goal of the event closely echoes our mission here at Tandon and IDM, which has long been devoted to fostering an inclusive environment that welcomes women, students of color, veterans, and persons with disabilities."
Even before controversies about gender in video games exploded in the mainstream media, the volunteer-run conference has always featured a wide range of engaging programming on social issues in games and play on the margins — from panel discussions to hands-on workshops and a full arcade of original games — and this year was no exception. Participants praised the wide variety of activities on offer and the safe, supportive atmosphere the organizers had planned.
Photo credit: Emi Spicer
