Jamming for allies: finding a formula for inclusive design exploration collaborations

This paper explores the potential of using game jams to engage with game developers in order to address issues related to inclusivity in games. Based on extensive critical analysis of local cooperative games, we have identified a number of issues in relation to how the socio-technical system (software, hardware, cultural norms, etc.) casts female players in restricted roles. These findings were used as input into two game jams where participants were tasked with creating game concepts that would address the inclusivity issues we identified. In this process, we discovered that it is difficult to simultaneously operate on a critical reflective level of analysis at the same time as engaging in concrete creative work. Changing the mix of voices - by inviting designers known for inclusivity advocacy and drastically increasing the number of female participants - allowed us to maintain the intended focus on the underlying issues more effectively in the second workshop. This, however, came at the expense of silencing less advocacy-inclined participants.