Xbox celebrates Pride 2022 with new controller design, free games, charity and DIGIPRIDE
Just like last year, Xbox is going all out to celebrate Pride 2022 in style!
Team Xbox is teaming up with creators, developers and ahem, us, for a Pride 2022 that will stand out from the crowd. For this year’s DIGIPRIDE, our presenting partner Xbox UKI will be participating in some incredible major moments over the next 3-months of Pride. This includes fun giveaways, Let’s Play streams, special guests on the Gayming Podcast and even more still to be revealed!
Outside of their partnership with us, Xbox has quite a busy schedule of Pride ahead of them – something which they highlighted in their official blog post, as written by Kate Rayner, the Vice President and Technical Director at The Coalition. Rayner is also a member of Team Xbox LGBTQIA+.
“In celebrating Pride this year, we invite LGBTQIA+ communities and allies to unite in their support for justice and equality, and to amplify voices that combat discrimination around the globe.” Rayner writes. “Team Xbox shares our support for the LGBTQIA+ communities within gaming, while raising awareness of current issues impacting these communities.
“With more than half of video game players (52% ) agreeing that “my gaming identity is a better reflection of myself than my real-world identity,” video games are an important outlet that gives players – especially those who are LGBTQIA+ – the chance to be who they want to be. At Xbox, we continue to work on creating safe spaces in gaming where all LGBTQIA+ people are welcome and belong, where everyone is invited to play as their authentic self and enjoy a community that welcomes self-expression.”
Furthermore, Rayner and the team at Xbox revealed just what the publisher will be doing throughout the month of June to celebrate Pride 2022.
- Microsoft is donating a total of $170,000 to LGBTQIA+ nonprofits
The nonprofits included in this charity donation are OutRight Action International, African Rainbow Family, National Center for Transgender Equality, Mermaids, Lavender Rights Project and Fulcrum UA. The company has previously donated over 8 million dollars to LGBTQ+ charities.
- Microsoft Rewards members in the US and UK can earn and donate points to LGBTQIA+ communities with Xbox
These organizations are Mermaids, OutRight Action International and The National Center for Transgender Equality. To earn and donate points, players need to purchase and play games.
- Xbox Design Lab gets new Pride-inspired skin
Last year the Pride controller was incredibly limited, meaning gaymers missed out. To make up for that, Microsoft has made it so that this year’s Pride controller is completely customizable through Xbox Design Lab!
- Xbox Pride Gear
There’s nothing better than wearing some damn cool (and unique) designs – especially if you want to represent Xbox. The Xbox Gear Shop celebrates Pride Month with a new 2022 Pride collection from Xbox and partnering Xbox Game Studios.
- Xbox Ambassadors Tell Stories about their LGBTQ+ Experiences in Gaming
Throughout Pride Month LGBTQIA+ Xbox Ambassadors will speak more about their stories on being queer in gaming and what that means to them. - Tell Me Why free for June 2022
For the entire month of June 2022, Don’t Nod’s incredible Tell Me Why will be available to download for free. There will also be a live stream of Tell Me Why to fundraise for Trans Lifeline on Thursday, June 23.
- …and so much more!
To find out more about Xbox’s direction and plans for Pride, look here.
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