Xbox Celebrates Black History Month with Support of Black Creators, Players, and a Culture of Inclusion

Xbox believes that gaming can bring people together and foster creativity, joy, and teamwork. We’re committed to building a community where everyone is welcome to play, and one way to do this is through supporting and amplifying the voices of underrepresented communities in gaming.

Muse revealed that Black Americans have a higher likelihood of agreeing with gaming’s positive effects, such as teamwork and communication. This is in comparison to other communities. In honor of Black History Month, we’re spotlighting the contributions of Black and African American developers and creators and celebrating gaming as a source of joy, connection, and self-care for many in the community.

I relate especially to this because I grew up in South Bronx. I found gaming a great way to relax after school. I have fond memories of summer afternoons spent at a friend’s home playing Halo Laterenjoying Gears of WarI bought my first Xbox. My fascination with the stories, the characters and the hopes they represented, drew me to their worlds. Gaming allowed me to bond with my family and friends and was an excellent source of creative input for school projects. It also gave me the confidence that I could be part of this industry, which motivated me to persevere in pursuit of my dreams.

Although I had limited community resources, every day was filled with hope. Many of my positive feelings can be attributed to the global gaming community as well as the many talented people around the world who bring this artform to existence. After leaving my career as a media communications professional to become a retail worker, my seven-year journey started at the Microsoft New York City retail store. I was able to fulfill my childhood dream and joined Team Xbox last year. As a life-long gamer, it’s important to me to help inspire and uplift others to join the industry or to simply share their love of gaming.

The barriers that I encountered growing up are lifting, and while there is still so much work to do, I’m proud that in the last year, Xbox has doubled the number of games featured from Black creators. We are making progress in our efforts to create engaging gaming experiences that everyone can enjoy and see themselves as heroes.

Xbox will celebrate and amplify Black voices throughout Black History Month.

Impact and Connect

Microsoft Rewards Xbox: Donate points to organizations supporting black communities

Microsoft Rewards customers in the United States may earn or donate points to support Black communities through Xbox. These organizations will appear on Xbox throughout February.

• Cxmmunity – Non-profit organization dedicated to increasing representation of minorities within esports via STEAM education opportunities and career development.
• Black Girls Rock – A global women’s movement and philanthropic organization dedicated to celebrating and empowering women and girls of color, by producing inspiring media content and providing enrichment programs for girls that foster positive identity development, critical thinking, leadership, literacy, tech, and innovation.
• Gameheads – Tech training program using videogame design, development, and DevOps. It creates diverse talent and bold voices and trains youth of color in the tech ecosystem.

Xbox gamers have many ways to earn Microsoft Rewards Points. These include buying or playing games, after you download the Microsoft Rewards App on Xbox. Redeem points to get real rewards Get involved today and donate through Xbox. 

Xbox Game Studios “Game Camp” Coming to New Orleans, HBCU

Xbox Game Studios (XGS) Game Camp is coming back to New Orleans March 9 through April 27. The goal of Game Camp is to provide people from underrepresented communities with access to subject matter experts, tools, industry connections to aid them through the game creation process. XGS has grown Game Camp internationally but is still committed to New Orleans because of its unique culture, diversity, and abundant talent from historically Black colleges (HBCU). More information is available here.  

Xbox Game Studios and HBCUConnect Join forces to Increase Inclusionary Hiring

In partnership with HBCU Connect, Xbox Game Studios presents “From the Yard to Gaming,” a special panel featuring Xbox employees who are HBCU Connect alumni. “The Yard” is a colloquial term used by HBCU students in reference to their specific campuses. The Xbox team will discuss their college experiences, and the ways they were prepared for their careers in games. Moderated by Senior Talent Pipeline Program Manager at Mojang Studios and HBCU advocate Brittney Pettway, we’ll ask Xbox developers Hector Llanos, Corey Rogers, and Timothy Olojedeto to highlight the work they do within gaming and how to contribute to an inclusive place where people from various walks of life can excel. For more information on the Xbox HBCU Connect Virtual Event, stay tuned.

Microsoft remains dedicated to the Racial Equity InitiativeThis focuses on long-term efforts to increase representation and strengthen a culture that is inclusive. It also encourages inclusion by employing dedicated, inclusive hiring practices. The Xbox community is invited to attend upcoming events, where they can get together with members of the Xbox team as well as learn about the opportunities available in the game industry.

Xbox Game Studios Presents “The New Face of Gaming” at GDC

As part of our Xbox offering at the Game Developers Conference in San Francisco this March, Xbox Game Studios presents “The New Face of Gaming,” a special pre-recorded session on March 24 featuring a diverse group of game developers at Xbox. The Xbox panelists Calicia Johnson (Senior Program Manager), Keirten Nikolos (Software Engineer) and Austin Joseph (Marketing Manager) will discuss their gaming experiences and examine how different voices contribute to the growth of the industry. We’ll also touch on how the evolution of gaming is making the industry a more inclusive place for all where gamers can see themselves in the games they play. Brittney Pettway, Senior Talent Pipeline Manager at Mojang Studios will moderate this GDC session. Keep an eye out for further information about this GDC session as well as our other sessions on Xbox Inclusion.

Find out more

Xbox Ambassadors Spotlights stories about representation in gaming  

Throughout Black History Month, we will be spotlighting stories about representation in gaming by Xbox Ambassadors from Black communities. Here are their stories.

Xbox Plays features Black Streamers (Game Creators), and Nonprofits

February is the month of Xbox Twitch channelProgramming celebrating Black History Month will be featured. Each week will be different, with Black Streamer Takeovers or Black Game Creators.

World’s Edge: Age of EmpiresAmerican History Highlights: Inspiring Black Figures

Age of Empires will highlight Black figures from American history with articles on their website, inviting their audience to learn more about people who’ve shaped the nation. You are ready to start learning?? Read more about Harriet Tubman and Crispus Attucks’ stories. Phillis Wheatley and Peter Salem are also featured. Find out more.

Minecraft’s Lessons in Good Trouble

Minecraft Education EditionSpecial Offers Lessons In Good TroubleThe following is a list of eight interactive Minecraft Worlds. It also contains lessons and information about historical social movements, including those that occurred during the Great Depression. Civil Rights Movement Black Lives MatterAs well as learning lessons Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.Origins of Juneteenth. As a reminder, Good Trouble can be found at free demoFor Minecraft Education EditionThe Education Collection is available in the Minecraft Marketplace. Find out more.

Find Movies, Games and Television Curated by Black Communities at Microsoft

Last February was a record year for Xbox from Black creators. We also doubled our games and increased the visibility of inclusive and diverse content across additional countries.

Here are a few highlights of the complete Xbox games Windows gamesCollections that span the globe Black designers, Main charactersAnd Character creation options include:

Marvel’s Avengers – From Lead Director Morgan Gray, Marvel’s Avengers: War for WakandaUpdate: Black Panther was added to the list. Also, a campaign is taking place in Wakanda.

Before I Forget – This BAFTA-nominated narrative exploration about dementia is from two women, including Narrative Designer Chella Ramanan, a Black British woman and active campaigner for diversity in games as co-founder of Playable Occupation.

Aerial_Knight’s Never Yield – Take the role of Wally in this 3D side-scroller from Aerial_Knight including a soundtrack by “Danime-Sama,” a Detroit artist with vocals from artists from all over the world.

Boyfriend Dungeon – Create your own character outside of the gender binary and then romance Isaac the Estoc if you choose in this unique dungeon crawler dating sim with LGBTQIA+ themes where you date your weapons.

The best title in the collection is Complete TV and Movie Collection featuring Creators, Leads, Education viewsAnd Family entertainment is:

“Candyman” – Nia DaCosta has been making waves as the director of this thriller based on an urban legend leading her to be the first Black woman to have a film debut at number one upon opening weekend. We’re also excited to see what she does in the future as the first Black woman and youngest person to direct a Marvel Studios movie.

See the collections from Argentina, Brazil and Chile as well the United States. Visitors can find Microsoft’s Black community picks at any time by searching for “Black History” and related terms on Microsoft Store on Windows and Xbox Store. All content may not be available in all countries. 

Play

Halo InfiniteBlack History Month is Honored by an exclusive new Emblem & Nameplate

In celebration of Black History Month, we will offer our very first Halo InfiniteBlack History Month logo and nameplate Logging into your account will allow you to access this in-game content. Halo InfiniteAnytime during February

Forza’s Black History Month is celebrated with a new In-Game Livery Design Contest

Xbox and the Forza Team join forces to celebrate Black History Month in recognition of Black culture, Black communities and other aspects.

You can join us using #ForzaBHM to show off your Black community-inspired livery designs. We’ll feature our favorites in Forza Horizon 5, Forza Horizon 4And Forza Motorsport 7In-game credits rewards will be awarded to featured designers and the rest of the public. The deadline for entries is February 13, at 11:59 PM PST.

Xbox honors Black History Month by launching a new gamerpicAvatar Items, Profile Theme and Avatar Items

In partnership with Black communities at Xbox, we’re introducing a new gamerpic, profile themes, and avatar items! On console, the gamerpic as well as profile themes will be accessible. Buy your avatar accessories here.

Find out more information about the Xbox community engagement program at www.the. Xbox Community Hub.