Devs Discuss Bringing A Broader View Of ‘Asian’ To Games For AAPI Heritage Month

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Real, lived experiences are some of the strongest influences in art.

This month is dedicated to honoring Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage – an opportunity each year to appreciate the diverse influences these communities bring to our society. The term “AAPI” encompasses more than just East Asian cultures such as Chinese, Japanese, and Korean; it also includes a broad spectrum of racial and ethnic groups, including South Asians and Native Hawaiians. As a person of Filipino descent, I am part of the AAPI community too.

The term AAPI (Asian American and Pacific Islander) unites numerous racial and ethnic groups, yet it’s challenging to pin down due to its breadth. People who identify as AAPI often have a distinctive upbringing, either born abroad or to immigrant parents. This unique background presents both advantages and disadvantages, as they may not fully connect with their own ethnic group or the foreign culture their families are trying to adapt to.

These games offer an immersive, complex narrative that can’t be simply summarized with a few phrases, but they effectively convey their messages in powerful, meaningful ways. In recent years, we’ve been captivated by titles developed by AAPI creators like Venba, 1000xResist, and Butterfly Soup, and this is only the beginning. Some of these games have AAPI developers at the forefront and even incorporate stories centered around first- and second-generation AAPI characters.

In addition to this, games such as “A Space From The Unbound” from Indonesia and “Until Then” from the Philippines are expanding the diverse representation of cultures within the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community, although they may not be produced by Asians living abroad. These types of games offer compelling narratives that resonate with us, demonstrating that one need not share AAPI heritage to understand and appreciate other cultures and the richness they add to a story.

In observance of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Month, TopMob sought insights from AAPI game developers and experts regarding the significance of this occasion to them and how their ethnicity has influenced their professional endeavors in the gaming industry.

Remy Sin, the Creative Director of 1000xResist, has always aimed to reflect ourselves and the tales of Asian diaspora with respect in gaming and on screen. We strive to bring these stories to life through bold and innovative methods that allow room for dreams, longing, and exploration. Our individual identities and life experiences significantly influence our work, and we make an effort to emphasize the specific as much as possible. This month serves as a reminder of the sacrifices made by the previous generation in the face of adversity and discrimination. I am determined not to overlook these struggles, and I am committed to continuing to share these stories, particularly with and for other AAPI creators.

Jenny Windom, as the Communications Director at Ivy Road, Co-Owner of Soft Not Weak, and the organizer/host of Wholesome Games, has shared her personal feelings about AAPI Month. In the past, she admits to feeling a bit complex during this time, being half Korean and uncertain about her place in the celebrations as someone who is culturally ‘in-between.’ The stereotypical portrayal of Asians in games hasn’t made things easier for her. However, media produced by AAPI creators, such as Half, 1000xRESIST, Venba, and Butterfly Soup 2, have provided her with a platform to delve deeper into her bi-racial, second-generation identity. She expresses hope for more of such diverse representations in the future.

Neha Patel, a composer and sound designer, shares her feelings about Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) month. Growing up, she often felt that being of Indian descent didn’t align with the typical definition of ‘Asian’. This is absurd, given India’s geographical location in Asia. Moreover, media portrayals and celebrations of ‘Asian’ culture seldom represented individuals with darker skin tones, making Neha feel different but not quite accepted. Stereotypes and racist remarks targeted at her community often revolved around violence and filth. However, there has been a positive shift in cultural diversity, as she now sees more people who resemble her, with unique personalities, being showcased on screen. In fact, Neha herself was given the opportunity to express her thoughts about AAPI month on TopMob.

Victoria Tran, Communications Director at Innersloth, expresses her appreciation for the richness of AAPI heritage and the camaraderie and joy it provides. She explains that her actions are shaped by the nurturing support she experienced within her culture. As we share more stories, Victoria hopes to see a diverse range of AAPI developers, styles, and themes emerge.

Belinda Garcia-Maguid, a game writer and narrative designer at Crystal Dynamics, shares that each project she works on includes a tiny reflection of her Filipino-American identity. She hopes this might help others see a part of themselves in it as well. Representation is incredibly powerful, particularly in an immersive medium like video games. It encourages more individuals to feel a sense of belonging, making virtual realms mirror the diverse world we inhabit today. AAPI Heritage Month serves as a beautiful reminder of the immense pride we all have for our unique cultures and the importance of celebrating and integrating them within our industry.

Three years ago, I crossed paths with an Asian-American narrative designer for the first time. This encounter shattered an unseen barrier I had unconsciously constructed between my creative and professional self. Curiously, I asked her about her experiences as the sole AAPI writer on her team. She nonchalantly replied, suggesting that when I entered the industry, there would be at least two of us.

Now, in the early stages of my career development, I’m often reminded of her words and the powerful impact representation holds for aspiring AAPI developers. It conveys a message that they too have a valuable place within the gaming world to flourish and grow. Despite the challenges the industry faces, I eagerly look forward to the day when I can proudly say: “Well, there’s at least three of us.”

– Anne Zhang-Huang, Associate Narrative Designer at Zenimax Online Studios

Julia Minamata, a solo indie game developer, shares about her creation, “The Crimson Diamond”. She sets it in Ontario, 1914, and incorporates a Japanese-Canadian character to acknowledge her family lineage. The initial wave of Japanese immigrants to Canada began around 1877. Julia’s grandmother on her father’s side was born in Vancouver in 1912. She emphasizes the significance of media representation since historically, characters like these have been underrepresented, despite the fact that diverse communities are and have been a significant part of our society.

Karrie Shao, Lead Narrative Designer & Lead Writer of Pacific Drive, shares her feelings about the increased representation of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) in recent times. She finds a sense of pride as she sees aspects of her own mother reflected in films like “Everything Everywhere All At Once.” The growing influence of K-pop artists, who resemble her, resonates with her, as they inspire people globally through their fashion and style. Despite being born and raised in Los Angeles, where she never felt like a minority numerically, she acknowledges that she was one. In her own work, Karrie takes pride in expressing diverse perspectives, showcasing her love for characters and emotional conflicts. These aspects of her work may not scream ‘the Asian experience’ outright, but they are rooted in her upbringing and values. Karrie cherishes AAPI Heritage Month as a vibrant occasion to honor the multitude of unique voices that enrich our real and fictional worlds.

For more than four-fifths of my life, I’ve resided in the United States as a citizen, yet I remain uncertain about how much longer I need to stay here to truly feel accepted as an American. Growing up, I believed that things would only improve over time, but recently, it seems like progress has slowed or even reversed. Reflecting on racial acceptance from 50 or 100 years ago, we can see improvements; however, in my personal experience and the current state of affairs, this sense of progress is not evident. I observe some positive changes and wish for a bright future for my teenage sons as they journey towards adulthood, but I also harbor concerns. These worries might stem from every parent’s apprehension about generational gaps and the fear that we may not be around to witness our children’s lives unfold completely.

Chandana Ekanayake, Creative Director at Outerloop Games, expresses a heartfelt message about embracing one’s unique identity, particularly for those with mixed Asian heritage. She shares her personal journey of learning English as a new immigrant and how she wished she had been more confident in her heritage rather than hiding it. Instead, she encourages the younger generations to own their unique heritage and be proud of it.

She emphasizes that the US is a land of diversity and immigrants, a fact often overlooked by those in power who may simplify or narrowly define what it means to be American. To combat this oversimplification, Chandana believes it’s crucial to share stories and experiences, which is why Outerloop Games focuses on creating games that represent underrepresented cultures and themes.

In a hopeful yet cautious tone, she expresses her optimism in contributing to the broader understanding of the diverse tapestry of people who make up this country.

As a passionate gamer and the Creative Director of Visai Games, I’ve witnessed significant advancements in game representation. Though some institutions may be lagging, it’s the players that truly embody this change – our game’s overwhelming love and support is proof.

However, let’s not forget that video games transcend borders. It’s disheartening to see discussions about representation often confined to Western works. I aspire for the gaming industry as a whole to extend its focus and support to works from underrepresented regions as well.

I am particularly thrilled by the burgeoning game development scene in South Asia, which I eagerly anticipate will become a significant player in our global community. It’s my dream that all inclusion efforts transcend the Western-centric approach we often default to.

Tanya Kan, Executive Producer and Director at Vivid Foundry, emphasizes that Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month offers an opportunity to delve into our immigrant histories, arts, and the diverse socioeconomic and civic participation. Even though there have been significant works in recent years depicting the unique struggles of the Asian diaspora, she highlights that more effort is required from developers like us to ensure that Asian experiences are not stereotyped or homogenized within the industry and public eye.

Just as the census has progressed by offering more specific ethnic origins (like recognizing Hong Kong in the 2021 Canadian census), video games should strive for representation that mirrors the intricacies of our cultural and civic concerns.

At one point in my career, I offered cultural advice for a previous project. During this process, I recall reviewing concept art depicting the antagonist as an older man. In one of the versions, he was adorned with a taqiyah, a cap worn by men across various nations who practice Islam. I raised objections to this design because it is a minority group that is already underrepresented in media. Portraying a practicing Muslim man as the villain could potentially be misconstrued and perceived as disrespectful towards those who follow Islam. The artist appreciated my feedback, and they ultimately decided on an alternative direction for the character. Although there’s a vast amount of information available online, nothing compares to real-life experiences when it comes to understanding cultural intricacies, ensuring that all minorities are represented accurately and respectfully. – Neha Nair, Campaign Marketing Manager at The New Blank

Games motivate and stimulate creativity. They prompt players to tackle obstacles in innovative ways, delve into endless possibilities, and discover surprising self-reflections. They encourage game creators to design for various minds, envision expansive, imaginative landscapes, and value the audience’s precious resource of time. For both players and developers, a diverse range of experiences enriches the sources of inspiration. It expands the array of viewpoints used in creating games, and extends the appeal of gaming to individuals from all walks of life.

At the heart of my beliefs lies the understanding that my personal identity has significantly shaped my work, offering priceless opportunities for connection with fellow developers and gamers. It’s a journey filled with cherished Pinoy and LGBTQ+ pride moments. I find courage in drawing upon my unique background to inform my creations. Above all, it has made me a more compassionate, open-minded, and inspiring individual who eagerly embraces the influence of others while aiming to inspire them as well. Here’s to celebrating AAPI Heritage Month and Pride Month! #IsangBagsak!” Isa Mari De Leon, Narrative Writer at Riot Games

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2025-05-29 19:11