Something that really bugs me about the hobby is that the more popular you become and the more money you make, the less people hold you to account for issues related to diversity. The Gauntlet is a frequent target for accusations of not being diverse, and this always bugs me because 1) if you do your research, you’ll learn that’s a wildly inaccurate charge and 2) we are not exactly rolling in it over here. Although we enjoy a moderately successful Patreon, it’s still barely enough to pay the bills (and we still manage to put more money in the pockets of queer and women creators every single month than outfits vastly larger than us). I’m not saying there aren’t things I want to improve about the Gauntlet vis-a-vis diversity, but people who make these charges aren’t usually seeing the full sweep of what we do.
On the other hand, I can rattle off twenty successful, mid-sized indie publishers whose work I otherwise greatly admire, but who have likely never hired a POC. How many games about women have been published in which not a single woman was consulted during their development? How many of the most popular Twitch personalities stream games every day that are entirely white dudes? These are folks who are simply not held to any kind of standard when it comes to diversity because they are popular. And you see this in the culture writ large: popular white guy never has to do shit with his money or time in order to improve things, but less popular, less wealthy queer/woman/POC is expected to change the entire fucking world.
Umm, also: If you’re a successful publisher, being on a panel is not enough. Posting supportive words on social media is not enough. Get out your spreadsheet and see how much money you put in the pockets of diverse creators. If the number is little to none, you’re part of the problem.
I’m not sure where this is going, except to say before you step to me regarding diversity, do your research. Also: look at your own circles and the people you elevate. There is a strong chance you’re being very hypocritical.
One of my favorite things about doing a supplement was being able to hire so many not-cis-straight-white-men. Honestly, that opportunity pushed me to make it when I was otherwise quite dubious.
One of my favorite things about doing a supplement was being able to hire so many not-cis-straight-white-men. Honestly, that opportunity pushed me to make it when I was otherwise quite dubious.
Robert Bohl I’m really happy you bring that up. One of my major, ongoing criticisms of the indie space is that the refusal to even entertain the idea of supporting a game beyond publishing the core rulebook shuts off an easy opportunity to give less established creators a chance.
Robert Bohl I’m really happy you bring that up. One of my major, ongoing criticisms of the indie space is that the refusal to even entertain the idea of supporting a game beyond publishing the core rulebook shuts off an easy opportunity to give less established creators a chance.
There are dozens of indie games that would benefit greatly from supplemental material. Pay diverse creators a reasonable 5 cents per word to create playsets, starters, monsters, settings, whatever, put them in a book and then sell that book as a $10 PDF. You’re going to make your money back pretty easily and you have one title in your product line that you didn’t even have to do any creative work for. Like, this is not fucking rocket science, you know?
There are dozens of indie games that would benefit greatly from supplemental material. Pay diverse creators a reasonable 5 cents per word to create playsets, starters, monsters, settings, whatever, put them in a book and then sell that book as a $10 PDF. You’re going to make your money back pretty easily and you have one title in your product line that you didn’t even have to do any creative work for. Like, this is not fucking rocket science, you know?
Jason Cordova – It’s easy to be a critic; it’s hard to make a difference in a community. For my part, I see the Gauntlet as a welcoming space for creativity and gaming, with a strong push towards inclusiveness in many areas. Let the critics be wrong – you don’t have to answer to them. You have a lot to be proud of. Keep doing what you think/feel is right. You have my support.
Jason Cordova – It’s easy to be a critic; it’s hard to make a difference in a community. For my part, I see the Gauntlet as a welcoming space for creativity and gaming, with a strong push towards inclusiveness in many areas. Let the critics be wrong – you don’t have to answer to them. You have a lot to be proud of. Keep doing what you think/feel is right. You have my support.
I am still unlikely to be someone who generally makes supplements. It’s just not my bag (plus I think the supplement treadmill is a bad thing; I’m an old Forgie that way (which is not to say all supplements are bad, either, note “treadmill”)). Which is a shame, because they’re way less work to make than games. But I got my weird shit.
I am still unlikely to be someone who generally makes supplements. It’s just not my bag (plus I think the supplement treadmill is a bad thing; I’m an old Forgie that way (which is not to say all supplements are bad, either, note “treadmill”)). Which is a shame, because they’re way less work to make than games. But I got my weird shit.
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I dunno man, my experience says that (aside from some creators taking personal responsibility) accountability levels are pretty negligible at all levels of popularity and success.
I dunno man, my experience says that (aside from some creators taking personal responsibility) accountability levels are pretty negligible at all levels of popularity and success.
Getting to spend money towards new voices in the industry was one of the major perks of making the setting supplement for The Sprawl. If I do that again, it will be for that reason.
Getting to spend money towards new voices in the industry was one of the major perks of making the setting supplement for The Sprawl. If I do that again, it will be for that reason.
Yeah, favourite thing about Cascade was putting money in other people’s hands, strangely enough.
Yeah, favourite thing about Cascade was putting money in other people’s hands, strangely enough.
That’s not strange at all!
That’s not strange at all!
I think there are good arguments against the kinds of supplements you suggest for the kinds of games I make. A group making the Master together for a game of My Life with Master is fundamental to their emotional engagement. A supplement full of pre-created Masters and minions would rob play groups of creative fun, satisfaction, and engagement that I want for them.
I think there are good arguments against the kinds of supplements you suggest for the kinds of games I make. A group making the Master together for a game of My Life with Master is fundamental to their emotional engagement. A supplement full of pre-created Masters and minions would rob play groups of creative fun, satisfaction, and engagement that I want for them.
In regards to promoting designers from marginalized communities, I thought I’d share this link from Black Girl Nerds soliciting contributions from women designers of color: https://blackgirlnerds.com/calling-women-color-need/#. I’m not familiar with Khepera Publishing, personally, but they seem cool. Does anyone have experience with them? Anyway, please share freely & widely.
blackgirlnerds.com – Calling All Women of Color! We Need You – Black Girl Nerds
In regards to promoting designers from marginalized communities, I thought I’d share this link from Black Girl Nerds soliciting contributions from women designers of color: https://blackgirlnerds.com/calling-women-color-need/#. I’m not familiar with Khepera Publishing, personally, but they seem cool. Does anyone have experience with them? Anyway, please share freely & widely.
blackgirlnerds.com – Calling All Women of Color! We Need You – Black Girl Nerds
HERE HERE
HERE HERE