Summary<\/h3>\n\n- Explore games featuring powerful women on Xbox Game Pass\u202f\u00a0<\/li>\n
- Katy Jo Wright, Xbox Senior Director, discusses the many ways women show up in the video game industry<\/li>\n
- Artist Amika Cooper celebrates women as main characters through redesigned\u00a0Xbox logo\u202f<\/strong>\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n
To celebrate women\u2019s contributions to gaming, we\u2019re focusing on the main character energy that women bring every single day to the Gaming industry. Whether it be the women who develop games, test games, or market games, we\u2019re bringing our all to the franchises that you all know and love to play. As the Senior Director of Gaming for Everyone & Sustainability at Xbox, I\u2019ve worked with the entire Gaming organization to ensure we\u2019re approaching decisions with an inclusion mindset, because, as our Gaming for Everyone<\/a> Core Principle states: \u201cWhen we don\u2019t intentionally include, we unintentionally exclude.\u201d You can see the results of this across all of Xbox, and this is how we deliver on our mission to bring the joy and community of gaming to everyone on the planet.<\/p>\nAn approach I take in life is, \u201cLive your life by design \u2013 not by default.\u201d From a gaming perspective, we apply this with an \u201cinclusion by design\u201d framework to ensure women feel truly represented and experience a deep sense of belonging, across all aspects of gaming. Whether it\u2019s about intentional, thoughtful character design where women see themselves as the main character, how people play either on console, PC, or handheld\u2013the experiences for women gamers vary just as dramatically as any other community. \u00a0<\/p>\n
What excites me the most is seeing more women actively participating in gaming, either as a developer or a fan\u2013or both! While we recognize International Women\u2019s Day and Women\u2019s History Month, the work to ensure women feel represented, seen, and belong on Xbox happens every single day. It\u2019s a journey and we\u2019re always learning how to get better, but we\u2019re committed and in it for the long haul. I believe that willingness to commit to every step in the journey, and get stronger with each step is main character energy.<\/p>\n
Join me in celebrating women who have inspired you in the gaming industry by posting on LinkedIn and nominating an #XboxMainCharacter. It could be a woman who developed a game you love, a content creator whose channel you love, or simply someone who helped you feel a sense of belonging and invited you to play! We stand on the shoulders of those who have done this work before us\u2014the many amazing people who included us\u2013and it is our legacy to continue supporting and making gaming approachable and inclusive for the women behind us. Join Xbox in our celebration by reading about the exciting activations taking place throughout the year below: <\/p>\n
\n
\nXbox and Women in Games International Partner to Connect Women in the Industry<\/strong><\/h3>\nIn celebration of Women\u2019s History Month, Xbox is proud to announce an ongoing partnership with Women in Games International (WIGI), a nonprofit organization with a mission to cultivate resources to advance economic equality and diversity in the global games industry.<\/p>\n
WIGI was founded in 2005 and has been working to highlight, celebrate and connect women, femme-identifying, and nonbinary professionals in the games industry. Through their programs, newsletters, panels, workshops, and networking events, WIGI works to normalize diversity in the games industry by increasing representation and paving the way for the next generation of games industry professionals.<\/p>\n
Xbox shares WIGI\u2019s vision of a more inclusive and diverse games industry, where everyone can play, create, and enjoy games. Xbox is committed to finding more ways to elevate women in gaming and support their growth and development. As part of our partnership, Xbox and WIGI will collaborate on initiatives connecting WIGI\u2019s audience with the talent and resources that Xbox is able to share. We\u2019ll share more details on Xbox\u2019s partnership with Women in Games International at a later date.<\/p>\n
Together, WIGI and Xbox are working to uplift more of the main character energy happening among women in the games industry. <\/p>\n
You can learn more about WIGI and their work at their website: https:\/\/www.getwigi.com\/<\/a>. You can also follow them on Twitter: @getwigi and Facebook: Women in Games International.<\/p>\nGaming\u00a0and Impact with Rewards<\/strong>\u00a0<\/h3>\nMicrosoft Rewards members in the United States can earn and donate points to organizations supporting women with Xbox. The organizations below will be featured on console throughout March:\u00a0<\/p>\n
\n- Women in<\/strong> Games International<\/strong><\/a> \u2013 Women in Games International works to cultivate resources such as advanced knowledge sharing, access to technology, and actionable mentorship programs to normalize diversity in the games industry through increased representation. (US only)<\/li>\n
- National Center for Transgender Equality<\/strong><\/a> \u2013 <\/strong>NCTE advocates to change policies and society to increase understanding and acceptance of transgender people. In the nation\u2019s capital and throughout the country, NCTE works to replace disrespect, discrimination, and violence with empathy, opportunity, and justice. (US Only)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Xbox gamers can earn Rewards points in various ways, such as playing games and completing Game Pass Quests, and purchasing games and other eligible items at the Microsoft Store (exclusions apply). Earn points and redeem them for real rewards. Start earning today<\/strong><\/a> and donate through Xbox.\u00a0 <\/p>\n
\n
\nExplore Games Featuring Powerful Women\u202f<\/strong>\u00a0<\/h3>\n![\"\u202fA](\"https:\/\/xxboxnews.blob.core.windows.net\/prod\/sites\/2\/2024\/03\/WHM24-Games--18b5e4d41da5967341c9.jpg\")
<\/figure>\nPowerful can mean many things, from being able to take on a horde of enemies to being able to practice empathy for others. During March and beyond, you can play a variety of game collections\u202ffeaturing powerful women as protagonists and games created by women.\u202f\u200b\u00a0<\/p>\n
Check out\u202fthe Store\u2019s community games collection<\/strong><\/a>, available on the Microsoft Stores on Xbox and Windows. This collection exists year-round as part of our ongoing work to create more inclusive\u202fgaming ecosystems and elevate content that resonates with communities. For Xbox Game Pass members, explore what is available in the\u202fXbox Game Pass community collection on Xbox<\/strong><\/a>\u202fand the\u202fPC\u202fGame Pass community collection on Windows<\/strong><\/a>.\u200b\u00a0<\/p>\nExamples of powerful games to play include these awesome titles and more:\u202f\u200b\u00a0<\/p>\n
\n- Hellblade:\u202fSenua\u2019s\u202fSacrifice<\/a> (Available with Xbox Game Pass on Console, PC, and Cloud, and Rated M)\u202f<\/strong>\u2013\u202fPlay as\u202fSenua, a Celtic warrior who bravely travels to the depths of Norse hell on a quest to\u202fsave the soul of her dead lover. You must overcome physical challenges and those presented by\u202fSenua\u2019s\u202fmind.\u200b\u00a0<\/li>\n
- Celeste<\/a> (Available with Xbox Game Pass on Console, PC, and Cloud)<\/strong>\u202f\u2013 Follow the story of Madeline, a trans woman navigating the physical and emotional obstacles on her self-discovery quest to the\u202ftop of Celeste Mountain. Written, designed, and directed by Maddy Thorson.\u202f\u200b\u00a0<\/li>\n
- Rise of the Tomb Raider<\/a>\u202f(Available with Xbox Game Pass on Console, PC, and Cloud, and Rated M)<\/strong>\u202f\u2013 Join one of the most classic video game heroines, Lara Croft, on her first tomb raiding expedition\u202fin a reimagined cinematic universe. Conquer a wild world of landscapes and configure Lara\u2019s gear to suit your play style in this survival action adventure.\u200b\u00a0<\/li>\n
- Ravenlok<\/a>\u202f(Available with Xbox Game Pass on Console, PC, and Cloud<\/strong>) \u2013\u202fCreated by Vanessa Chia, escape into a fairytale adventure inspired by her nostalgia of growing up Malaysia. Fulfill your\u202fdestiny as the young girl,\u202fRavenlok, on a whimsical journey to defeat the Caterpillar queen.\u202f\u200b\u00a0<\/li>\n
- Bluey<\/a> (Available with Xbox Game Pass on Console, PC, and Cloud<\/strong>) \u2013\u202fFun for the whole family, experience the joy and wonder of\u202fBluey\u2019s\u202fworld in this interactive adventure game based on the iconic\u202fchildren\u2019s TV series about two sisters. Play with friends and family in story mode and in free play, create your own scenes, collect items for your sticker book, and uncover hidden references in every\u202flocation.\u202f\u00a0 <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
New Forza Horizon 5 Vinyl Decal for Women\u2019s History Month<\/strong>\u00a0<\/h3>\n![\"This](\"https:\/\/xxboxnews.blob.core.windows.net\/prod\/sites\/2\/2024\/03\/ForzaHorizon5_WHMvinyl_screenshot-0005395d14ed80e0437d.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\u00a0This year\u2019s Women\u2019s History Month-themed Xbox art, designed by Amika Cooper, is now in\u202fForza\u202fHorizon 5 as a vinyl: an in-game decal that you can use to customize any car.\u202fShow off this\u202funique\u202fdesign on your car using #ForzaWHM on social media for a chance to be featured!\u00a0<\/p>\n
\n
\nArtist Amika Cooper Reimagines the Xbox Logo in Celebration of Women who Bring Main Character Energy\u202f<\/strong>\u00a0<\/h3>\n![\"Artist](\"https:\/\/xxboxnews.blob.core.windows.net\/prod\/sites\/2\/2024\/03\/image-64b201e2132254fc0f52.png\")
<\/figure>\n\u00a0For Women\u2019s History Month, Xbox commissioned artist Amika Cooper, also known as blackpowerbarbie, to redesign the Xbox logo in celebration of women gamers and the way they define who gamers are by embracing main character energy. Amika used that inspiration to create an image of the Xbox sphere at the center of a lair, representing a safe place in gaming created by and celebrating the creativity of women.\u00a0 In her words, \u201cThe logo is presented as a gem because I think the energy women bring to gaming makes us \u2018diamonds in the rough\u2019. I wanted it to be vibrant, stimulating, and fun \u2013 a lot of my work is creating my own surreal and fantastic landscapes, so I wanted to impart that sense of whimsy here.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
See more of Amika Cooper\u2019s work on her website<\/strong><\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\nXbox Ambassadors Features New Quests for Women\u2019s History Month<\/strong>\u00a0<\/h3>\n![\"White](\"https:\/\/xxboxnews.blob.core.windows.net\/prod\/sites\/2\/2024\/03\/image-1157e566226c7f978bef.jpeg\")
<\/figure>\nWe believe that every woman deserves recognition as a main character. For this Women\u2019s History\u202fMonth, we\u2019ve connected with women from the Xbox Ambassadors community to put a spotlight\u202fon their experience as a woman in gaming. Read along on the\u202f<\/strong>Xbox Ambassadors Community Blog<\/strong><\/a>.\u200b\u00a0<\/p>\nTaking our celebration to the next level, we\u2019re featuring a series of Quests, all month long, for Xbox\u202fAmbassadors to complete and unlock rewards. The Women\u2019s History Month Quests feature games\u202fmade by women creators and\/or feature women as the main character. Join the fun and\u202fbecome an Xbox Ambassador<\/strong><\/a> today!\u202f\u00a0<\/p>\nWHM Dynamic Background Available Now<\/strong>\u00a0<\/h3>\n
To celebrate women\u2019s contributions to gaming, we\u2019re focusing on the main character energy that women bring every single day to the Gaming industry. Whether it be the women who develop games, test games, or market games, we\u2019re bringing our all to the franchises that you all know and love to play. As the Senior Director of Gaming for Everyone & Sustainability at Xbox, I\u2019ve worked with the entire Gaming organization to ensure we\u2019re approaching decisions with an inclusion mindset, because, as our Gaming for Everyone<\/a> Core Principle states: \u201cWhen we don\u2019t intentionally include, we unintentionally exclude.\u201d You can see the results of this across all of Xbox, and this is how we deliver on our mission to bring the joy and community of gaming to everyone on the planet.<\/p>\n An approach I take in life is, \u201cLive your life by design \u2013 not by default.\u201d From a gaming perspective, we apply this with an \u201cinclusion by design\u201d framework to ensure women feel truly represented and experience a deep sense of belonging, across all aspects of gaming. Whether it\u2019s about intentional, thoughtful character design where women see themselves as the main character, how people play either on console, PC, or handheld\u2013the experiences for women gamers vary just as dramatically as any other community. \u00a0<\/p>\n What excites me the most is seeing more women actively participating in gaming, either as a developer or a fan\u2013or both! While we recognize International Women\u2019s Day and Women\u2019s History Month, the work to ensure women feel represented, seen, and belong on Xbox happens every single day. It\u2019s a journey and we\u2019re always learning how to get better, but we\u2019re committed and in it for the long haul. I believe that willingness to commit to every step in the journey, and get stronger with each step is main character energy.<\/p>\n Join me in celebrating women who have inspired you in the gaming industry by posting on LinkedIn and nominating an #XboxMainCharacter. It could be a woman who developed a game you love, a content creator whose channel you love, or simply someone who helped you feel a sense of belonging and invited you to play! We stand on the shoulders of those who have done this work before us\u2014the many amazing people who included us\u2013and it is our legacy to continue supporting and making gaming approachable and inclusive for the women behind us. Join Xbox in our celebration by reading about the exciting activations taking place throughout the year below: <\/p>\n In celebration of Women\u2019s History Month, Xbox is proud to announce an ongoing partnership with Women in Games International (WIGI), a nonprofit organization with a mission to cultivate resources to advance economic equality and diversity in the global games industry.<\/p>\n WIGI was founded in 2005 and has been working to highlight, celebrate and connect women, femme-identifying, and nonbinary professionals in the games industry. Through their programs, newsletters, panels, workshops, and networking events, WIGI works to normalize diversity in the games industry by increasing representation and paving the way for the next generation of games industry professionals.<\/p>\n Xbox shares WIGI\u2019s vision of a more inclusive and diverse games industry, where everyone can play, create, and enjoy games. Xbox is committed to finding more ways to elevate women in gaming and support their growth and development. As part of our partnership, Xbox and WIGI will collaborate on initiatives connecting WIGI\u2019s audience with the talent and resources that Xbox is able to share. We\u2019ll share more details on Xbox\u2019s partnership with Women in Games International at a later date.<\/p>\n Together, WIGI and Xbox are working to uplift more of the main character energy happening among women in the games industry. <\/p>\n You can learn more about WIGI and their work at their website: https:\/\/www.getwigi.com\/<\/a>. You can also follow them on Twitter: @getwigi and Facebook: Women in Games International.<\/p>\n Microsoft Rewards members in the United States can earn and donate points to organizations supporting women with Xbox. The organizations below will be featured on console throughout March:\u00a0<\/p>\n Xbox gamers can earn Rewards points in various ways, such as playing games and completing Game Pass Quests, and purchasing games and other eligible items at the Microsoft Store (exclusions apply). Earn points and redeem them for real rewards. Start earning today<\/strong><\/a> and donate through Xbox.\u00a0 <\/p>\n Powerful can mean many things, from being able to take on a horde of enemies to being able to practice empathy for others. During March and beyond, you can play a variety of game collections\u202ffeaturing powerful women as protagonists and games created by women.\u202f\u200b\u00a0<\/p>\n Check out\u202fthe Store\u2019s community games collection<\/strong><\/a>, available on the Microsoft Stores on Xbox and Windows. This collection exists year-round as part of our ongoing work to create more inclusive\u202fgaming ecosystems and elevate content that resonates with communities. For Xbox Game Pass members, explore what is available in the\u202fXbox Game Pass community collection on Xbox<\/strong><\/a>\u202fand the\u202fPC\u202fGame Pass community collection on Windows<\/strong><\/a>.\u200b\u00a0<\/p>\n Examples of powerful games to play include these awesome titles and more:\u202f\u200b\u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0This year\u2019s Women\u2019s History Month-themed Xbox art, designed by Amika Cooper, is now in\u202fForza\u202fHorizon 5 as a vinyl: an in-game decal that you can use to customize any car.\u202fShow off this\u202funique\u202fdesign on your car using #ForzaWHM on social media for a chance to be featured!\u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0For Women\u2019s History Month, Xbox commissioned artist Amika Cooper, also known as blackpowerbarbie, to redesign the Xbox logo in celebration of women gamers and the way they define who gamers are by embracing main character energy. Amika used that inspiration to create an image of the Xbox sphere at the center of a lair, representing a safe place in gaming created by and celebrating the creativity of women.\u00a0 In her words, \u201cThe logo is presented as a gem because I think the energy women bring to gaming makes us \u2018diamonds in the rough\u2019. I wanted it to be vibrant, stimulating, and fun \u2013 a lot of my work is creating my own surreal and fantastic landscapes, so I wanted to impart that sense of whimsy here.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n See more of Amika Cooper\u2019s work on her website<\/strong><\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n We believe that every woman deserves recognition as a main character. For this Women\u2019s History\u202fMonth, we\u2019ve connected with women from the Xbox Ambassadors community to put a spotlight\u202fon their experience as a woman in gaming. Read along on the\u202f<\/strong>Xbox Ambassadors Community Blog<\/strong><\/a>.\u200b\u00a0<\/p>\n Taking our celebration to the next level, we\u2019re featuring a series of Quests, all month long, for Xbox\u202fAmbassadors to complete and unlock rewards. The Women\u2019s History Month Quests feature games\u202fmade by women creators and\/or feature women as the main character. Join the fun and\u202fbecome an Xbox Ambassador<\/strong><\/a> today!\u202f\u00a0<\/p>\n
\n
\nXbox and Women in Games International Partner to Connect Women in the Industry<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Gaming\u00a0and Impact with Rewards<\/strong>\u00a0<\/h3>\n
\n
\n
\nExplore Games Featuring Powerful Women\u202f<\/strong>\u00a0<\/h3>\n
<\/figure>\n\n
New Forza Horizon 5 Vinyl Decal for Women\u2019s History Month<\/strong>\u00a0<\/h3>\n
<\/figure>\n
\n
\nArtist Amika Cooper Reimagines the Xbox Logo in Celebration of Women who Bring Main Character Energy\u202f<\/strong>\u00a0<\/h3>\n
<\/figure>\nXbox Ambassadors Features New Quests for Women\u2019s History Month<\/strong>\u00a0<\/h3>\n
<\/figure>\nWHM Dynamic Background Available Now<\/strong>\u00a0<\/h3>\n