Zynga celebrates Pride Month with LGBTQ+ in-game events
Pride Month is here, and we’re all looking to celebrate! That includes Zynga Inc, the developer behind games such as FarmVille 3 and the upcoming Star Wars: Hunters.
Zynga specializes in mobile games and describes itself as a “global leader in interactive entertainment.” This month’s entertainment will focus on Pride Month and includes a lineup of in-game features to highlight the month, employee spotlights, as well as social integrations across several of Zynga’s titles to promote LGBTQIA+ inclusivity, diversity and belonging.
Zynga’s initiation invites players to join in-game LGBTQ+ events for the following games and social features:
- FarmVille 3
FarmVille 3 will spotlight four characters who identify as LGBTQIA2S+: Bobbi Stitch, Ginny Glaze, Chad Wood and Carlos Cardova. As FarmVille 3’s iconic stylist, Bobbi says the best accessories in life are inclusivity, togetherness and acceptance. An award-winning grill master, Ginny is firing up Pride Month with her message that love is love regardless of our differences. Chad, the farm’s resident lumberjack, invites everyone to join him in chopping down biases and planting seeds of love. Carlos is a brilliant and creative ice cream maker who hopes we can melt our differences and create the perfect scoop of diversity and equality.
- High Heels!
High Heels! invites players to #PlayWithPride as they strut down the festive runway with brand new characters, new themed accessories and an exclusive Pride heel design. The special in-game event also includes limited-time gift boxes to collect, a new friendly pet to adopt and an exclusive new bonus level. - Words with Friends 2
Words With Friends 2 invites players to complete special in-game events and earn unique rewards to show their pride. From June 6 to 12, players can engage with a special Solo Challenge where they can advance along the Pride Parade Route against community members to earn unique badges. From June 15 to 19, players can match wits with the couple Gia & Fia to earn a specially themed profile frame. In addition, Words of the Day throughout Pride Month will highlight diverse words.
These are just a few of the games that Zynga will be highlighting with in-game Pride events.
To further support the LGBTQ+ community, a Zynga employee resource group called zPride is donating a total of $50,000 to several charities. $20,000 each will support the Brave Space Alliance, the first Black-led, trans-led LGBTQ+ Center, and the LGBT Foundation, a U.K.-based charity that delivers services, advice and support for the LGBTQ+ community. In addition, zPride is joining Gay Gaming Professionals as a corporate sponsor with a $10,000 donation for its scholarship program that helps marginalized and LGBTQ2SA+ students interested in gaming careers.
“I am honoured to support zPride’s thoughtful approach to raising awareness through sponsorships that are intersectional, global and upstream,” said Vijay Pendakur, Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer of Zynga and the Executive Sponsor for zPride. “At Zynga, we are committed to equity and inclusivity while supporting the LGBTQIA2S+ community throughout gaming and beyond.”
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