Video games still have very limited Black hairstyle options

The advancements in graphics fidelity, maps and other ideas for gameplay are all part of videogame development. However, character creation still has some way to go. It is difficult to create characters of color and especially Black characters. There are a few Black hairstyles, textures and looks that you can use. A new video essay from Kinda Funny Games host and producer Blessing Adeoye Jr., highlights the limited nature of Black hairstyles in video games — even as video game development leaps forward in other areas.

In “We Need To Fix Black Hair in Video Games,” Adeoye points to the prevalence of afros and cornrows in Black character designs. “Kudos to game devs for actually including cornrows, a hair style that can be dated back over 3,000 years to sub-Saharan Africa” he says. “My one question though, is who is this dude with cornrows that every single video game developer seemingly knows?”

Video game character designs often hew to western beauty standards, erasing the range of Black hairstyles — and often the existence of Black characters at all. It is frustrating for those who wish to join an RPG/sim with characters that are similar to them. It’s just another place in which Black hairstyles are seen as out of place, is an extension of real life discrimination. Workplaces schools — among many other places — have codified rules around what type of hair is “appropriate.” It wasn’t until 2022 that Congress passed the Crown Act, banning hair-related discrimination.

Some of last year’s best-selling games, including Elden Ring and Pokémon Scarlet and VioletThe character creator options for, were limited, and there was limited choice in hairstyles or skin colors. (Polygon’s reporting also pointed out that in Pokémon Scarlet VioletThe character couldn’t wear hats if they had curly hair.

To remedy the shortage of Black hairstyles, modders have intervened in games. Sims 4. Modders were able to modify the original game’s hairstyles and add fun accessories. Adeoye’s reporting shows that even famous people like Keke Palmer played modified versions. Sims 4To create characters that look exactly like the originals.

Adeoye speaks with Del Walker, Naughty Dog’s Senior Character Artist, to learn more about how he design hair for Black characters. He lists a few examples of games that did it right. Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales. However, the sector still has much to do.

“Just don’t treat Black hair like an afterthought,” Walker told Adeoye. “It’s an entire spectrum and a realm, and it’s so much untapped cool stuff happening.”