Elly Yates-Roberts |
Xbox is honouring the Asian and Pacific Islander (API) heritage month by promoting API organisations on the console throughout May 2022. Xbox gamers will also be able to earn Microsoft Rewards points through the playing or purchasing of API-related games. .
The featured organisations will include Asian Americans Advancing Justice, which works through policy advocacy and community education to advance the civil and human rights of API individuals; AAPI Equity Alliance, which is improving civic engagement, capacity building and policy advocacy for API individuals; and Stop AAPI Hate, which aims to dismantle systemic racism.
“We are committed to creating a safe place, where we broaden the perspective that careers and opportunities in gaming are welcome to all people, and that our industry will so deeply benefit from seeing more creators in gaming who represent players around the world,” said Ada Duan, general manager of social impact and partnerships for Mojang Studios and executive sponsor for Asians at Xbox.
According to a report by The Asian American Diverse Intelligence Series 2020, Engaging Asian American Consumers at the Dawn of a new Decade, nearly half of the three billion global gamers are in Asian American households and own more video game-related products than the entire US population.
In celebration of API heritage, the Microsoft Store will also allow Xbox Game Pass members to access games selected by API communities including Life is Strange: True Colors, which features the first Asian-American protagonist Alex Chen; Sable; Hoa; Apex Legends; and Elden Ring.
“We endeavour to see more Asian and Pacific Islander characters in games telling our authentic stories and representing our vast cultures,” said Duan.