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Hannah Yang

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MPR News asked Minnesotans who enjoy video games and are part of the game development industry how they feel about the representation in the latest games and titles available. Here’s what they had to say.

As a Twitch streamer and a gamer and just in general, how do you choose which content to stream?


Alesha Horn on what content to stream?

How powerful do you think video game influence is?

Alesha Horn video games connect people

Do you have examples of when you saw a game or character that really resonates with you?

Alesha Horn characters that resonate

Tell me of a time when you first played a video game, or was there a video game where you actually felt a character really resonate with you?

Alexander Nelson - on a character that resonated in a game

How does it make you feel having more of these nuanced characters?

Alexander Nelson - on lack of representation

Do you remember a very negative portrayal of somebody who was neurodivergent?

Alexander Nelson - on depictions of people with disabilities

If they changed the way they depict people on a spectrum, do you think that it would actually change the way people would actually treat them?

Alexander Nelson - "this person is x, so they must be y"

Do you feel the gaming industry, or video games in general, have gotten better or worse in terms of representation?

Alexander Nelson - It's gotten better

What exactly does representation mean to you, as a person who writes stories for gaming?

Beth Korth on what representation means in gaming and game development

When you and your husband developed ‘Verdant Skies,’ you said that you wished you hired more people who would be able to write stories? Could you walk me through that reflection?

Beth Korth How do I feel

Can you think of a game that you played where you felt there was a character that you that truly resonated with you?

Beth Korth - They make mistakes

When we're looking at creating something for gamers in general and what they're looking for, what does it mean when we're looking for representation? How do we approach genuine representation?


Beth Korth - Trying to get better products

What got you into video games? What do you love about them?

Courtney Barrick what do you love about games?

What do you look for in a good character? In terms of substance or representation?

Courtney Barrick what do you look for in a good character?

Where do you feel games are falling short in terms of representation?

Courtney Barrick where do you feel games are falling short?

How do you find games to play? Where do you find your recommendations? Who do you look to to find games to play?

Courtney Barrick how do you find games to play?

Courtesy Images

a screen grab from a video game livestream

Courtesy of MinnesotaMocha

Courtesy of Alexander Nelson

Courtesy Image

A person holds a game controller and looks at the camera.

Next generation video games, diverse characters score big with Minnesota gamers

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