Assessing Gender And Racial Representation In The Board Game Industry
Assessing Gender And Racial Representation In The Board Game Industry
Assessing Gender And Racial Representation In The Board Game Industry
Tanya Pobuda
December, 2, 2028
Summary
This study highlights a significant lack of diversity in the board game industry, particularly among top-ranked BoardGameGeek (BGG) games. White males dominate both game design and illustration roles, and cover art overwhelmingly features white, male imagery, misrepresenting real-world demographics. The research argues that such exclusion contributes to a feedback loop of marginalization, deterring women and people of color from participating in the hobby. Cultivation theory suggests this lack of visibility sends implicit messages about who belongs. The author calls for increased awareness, dialogue, and action to foster a more inclusive, representative, and ultimately richer board gaming community.
Reference
Pobuda, T. (2018, December 2). Assessing gender and racial representation in the board game industry. Analog Game Studies. https://analoggamestudies.org/2018/12/assessing-gender-and-racial-representation-in-top-rated-boardgamegeek-games/
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