Localized Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: Challenges and Solutions in Game Culture Environments

Abstract

Regional, cultural, and structural specificities across game cultural sectors are integral to impactful, intersectional initiatives. In our workshop-based participatory study, we invited diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) experts from key Finnish game cultural organizations to examine the state of DEI in digital game cultural environments. The data was collected from two online co-design workshops with eight participants and analyzed using qualitative content analysis. We noted that while Finnish DEI initiatives have developed significantly, diversity efforts are primarily focused on gender equality over other types of diversity. Organizations rely on collective action and sharing information on best practices through events, training, and game literacy education. Initiatives are heavily affected by the policies and subsidies of public agencies. Proposed solutions suggest increasing structured activity, pooling resources, and the creation of a national game cultural strategy supporting sustainable development across sector divides.