Summer Game Fest Faces Backlash Over Exclusion

Critics have taken to social media to voice their disappointment with the lack of diversity showcased in the opening live stream of Summer Game Fest's 2023 iteration. Despite the event featuring numerous high-profile reveals, including the eagerly anticipated release date for Spider-Man 2, fans and industry insiders alike are calling for greater representation and inclusivity from the event, particularly in light of its growing popularity. While Summer Game Fest has become a standout mid-year gaming event since its inception in 2020, many believe that it has a social responsibility to promote diversity and inclusivity in the gaming industry.

Industry critics have taken issue with the lack of representation in Summer Game Fest's opening showcase held on June 8. Cecilia D'Anastasio, a Bloomberg reporter known for her coverage of sexual harassment at Riot Games and other investigative journalism efforts in the gaming industry, expressed her surprise on Twitter that the two-hour event featured "not a single woman on stage." Similarly, Ash Parrish, a veteran gaming reporter specializing in marginalized communities, sarcastically called on SGF organizer Geoff Keighley to feature a woman at the event "for one dollar" and wrote an opinion piece for The Verge labeling the event a "failure" for excluding "women, trans, and non-binary people" who are integral to the industry.

Some fans expressed their disappointment with the lack of representation among the all-male cast chosen by publishers for the opening showcase, shifting the blame away from the Summer Game Fest organizers. However, others pointed out that the industry as a whole should take responsibility for its lack of diversity. Gaming-focused PR specialist Natalie Flores shared this sentiment, describing the opening showcase of Summer Game Fest 2023 as "disappointing" and lamenting the fact that "loving an industry that will never love you back" is a common experience. Despite some games featuring more diverse characters, the gaming industry as a whole still has a long way to go in terms of inclusivity.

Source: The Verge