Inclusive Gaming

- rroby

Inclusivness in A Dark Future

I decide to include this information in my world for the sole purpose of letting potential players know I am atttmpting to create a space where everyone is welcome. As you can imagine having a fictional world with multiple alien races can lead to racism as a means to create tension within the world. This is not to mean I condone racism.

As an example there is open tension between the Nurni and humans because there is a belief amongst the Nurni that humans caused the Collapse which killed thousands of their loved ones. These events occured hundreds of years in the past yet relations between the two races are still strained. The game's players will have an opportunity to work through this issue if they chose to explore what caused the Collapse as the Nurni have important clues.

All that being said I will not tolerate real life racism.

What is a Safe Space?

A Safe Space is a place where anyone can relax and be able to fully express, without fear of being made to feel uncomfortable, unwelcome, or unsafe on account of biological sex, race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, cultural background, religious affiliation, age, or physical or mental ability. A place where the rules guard each person’s self-respect and dignity and strongly encourage everyone to respect others. Sexual violence is prohibited, racism is prohibited, misogyny is prohibited. Let’s all just respect each other and have fun! Maybe save the world while we are at it. I reserve the right to ban and remove anyone who does not follow the Code of Conduct.

Code of Conduct

BE INCLUSIVE, FUN, AND SAFE!
All Participants are here to have fun and should ALWAYS feel safe and included. All participants (Players, GM, and observers), are expected to adhere to the following Code of Conduct.

• Participants must conduct themselves in a manner that is conducive to the enjoyment and safety of others at the event.
• Avoid excessively vulgar, sexual, or overly mature language and themes.
• Follow the GM’s lead, avoid arguing with the GM or other players over rules.
• Let other players speak, avoid talking over others.
• Avoid excessive cross-talk that is not relevant to the adventure being played.
• Allow other players to get attention from the GM.
• Discourage others from using social media to bully, shame, or intimidate other participants.
• Avoid phone conversations during the session.
• If you must take a call, please excuse yourself from the session until your call is completed.
• No tolerance is given for aggressive behavior towards other players.
• Aggressive behavior are grounds for immediate removal from the game.

Aggressive behavior includes threats of or actual physical aggression, using racial, gender, or cultural slurs against another participant, and otherwise harassing other participants.

SAFETY TOOLS: The X-CARD

An X-card is a tool that helps maintain a safe environment at the gaming table. Roleplaying games can be very improvisational and adventures can vary widely in content. It can be impossible to predict when uncomfortable content might come up.

by John Stavropoulos

An X-card is a tool to keep the content at the table safe for everyone. It is a card in the middle of the table with an X on it. Should someone feel uncomfortable at anytime, they can tap the X-card. The GM and other players will change the content, dial it back, or skip the scene.

I endorse and use the X-Card as part of my plan to create a safe and inclusive environment for gamers.

The X-Card was designed by John Stavropoulos and more information about it can be found his website here.

Using the X-CARD

• In a face to face game there will be an X-CARD in the middle of the table. To use it just touch it.
• For virtual spaces please let the group know via chat by texting X-CARD.

If the X-CARD is played all participants and the GM agree to discontinue the current discussion and move on. The person playing the X-card does not have to justify why they chose to play the X-CARD.

For more safety tool choices check out Monte Cook’s Consent in Gaming free booklet.