That's the thing about inclusivity, though. The straight, white, cisgender, male gamer doesn't ever worry about being included, about being represented. He knows that the game defaults to him and takes it for granted. Seeing a game make an effort, indeed make it a point, to include folks other than that "default" means we get to feel acknowledged.
For people who are used to being invisible at best, hated at worst, having a game say, "Hey, you exist and are valued," is so incredibly important that its hard to express. It is, therefore, likewise important, that Green Ronin and other companies be vocal about taking that stand.
Being inclusive and being vocal about it is not, in any way, pushing anyone down. It is saying, "Hey, we want everyone to have an equal space at the game table."
For clarity , this isn't about marketing but social policy, From a market POV s assuming anyone else need to care about "others" is inaccurate they really don't as gaming has and tabletop RPG's will continue to do well as a somewhat conservative White Middle/working Class Heterosexual Cis Gendered Male pastime for High IQ Geeks right where they started. Its about 20% female now as well at least as of 2000 or so. From the
Escapist Unless there was a huge influx from the LGBT communities I don't think gaming would even notice since the LGBT community itself isn't very large, maybe twice the size of D&D players in the US and most aren't geeks AFAIK
If saleswas the issue than Hispanic, Asian and Black outreach makes much more sense. That's nearly 50% of the young people now vs maybe
4% for LGBT
That said I don't see games that address issues of otherness whether they be Blue Rose or Wraeththu or even Furry centric games in a respectful and quality way are a bad thing. I think they are a good thing in general and games like Blue Rose being masterfully written manages to breach the boundaries and appeal to several communities, I like this . I also think the iconic Pathfinder Shaman being Transgendered was pretty cool, its a unique way to address something the authors cared about and done in a very clever way with some historical precedent.
Under no circumstances should anyone take this as anti "other" post either I've had gaymers in my group and bi folks as well and they are perfectly welcome, bigotry isn't welcome since it takes away fun and I've never had a group that is that uptight. For most us its grab some dice and lets play. As an aside most have ever seen transfolk in gaming though we do have them in our community
(Jannell formerly Paul Jaquays) of course. Transfolk are after all less than that about 700,000 in the entire US, about 1/2 of 1% of adults and in fact there are more Roma (1 million or so) and most people have never seen any of them either. Hopefully either of these groups can be portrayed with respect when they are used in games. Maybe good games can have that benefit with going Starbucks on us . Heck as long as no one pulls another piece of drek like World of Darkness Gypsies I'll be happy
I've noticed that most gamers are pretty tolerant and their is plenty of room in the hobby for all kind of views as, I've had groups of 100% BDSM people and that about as .alt as you can get. Whatever movement to inclusiveness is pretty welcome since gaming being what it is can create its own spaces that suit each group needs which is all anyone can ask for. Nobody gets in anyone else's space, the tolerant have spaces, the people needing safe spaces haven and them the trads and such have theirs too. The only real issue might be conventions but that happily I don't have to deal with.
On a personal note I also hope that people with other views take advantage of the low cost of entry to create cool stuff with independent views for themselves and when possible everyone. This is good for our community and while we are a creative lot sometimes we trod the same paths too much. I like these paths and I think most people do and vote with their wallet but good new ideas are good for the community .
Its not easy to do, even Lou Porter' abortion themed D20
Choice and Blood was no hit , no ones cuppa apparently but it had value as can Blue Rose.
