“Dove introduces open-source guide for diverse hair representation in gaming”

So, imagine this. You’re about to launch into a high-octane video game, eagerly customizing your avatar to reflect your vibe. But wait, something’s missing. You can’t find a hairstyle that even comes close to your natural Afro-textured or braided hair. It’s frustrating, right? Well, Dove believes it doesn’t have to be this way.

Check this out. Dove, the ever-popular personal care brand, is on a mission. They want every one of us to feel seen, recognized, and valued in the virtual world. With this in mind, they’ve just launched “Code My Crown”, a brilliantly exciting guide designed to help video game artists create realistic characters with Black hair textures and protective styles.

This wasn’t something they just threw together, either. Dove worked in collaboration with Black game developers, artists, academics, and even hairstylists to get every detail right. For Dove, it’s all about honoring the incredible diversity and beauty of Black hairstyles, a diversity that’s often overlooked or misrepresented in the gaming realm.

A.M. Darke, lead guide contributor and founder of the Open Source Afro Hair Library (Osahl), speaks candidly about this issue, highlighting that Black gamers desire an accurate reflection of their natural hair textures in the virtual world.

Now, here’s where the statistics come in that really pack a punch. According to Dove, a shocking 85% of Black gamers felt there was poor representation of Black hair textures in the games they play, and around 80% reported feeling excluded or discriminated against due to this lack of representation.

So, what does this all mean? It means that representation matters – on-screen and off. It means that no one should feel invisible in the gaming community or any other platform. It’s powerful brands like Dove who recognize the importance of diversity in all its forms and are leading the way to a more inclusive future. Now, that’s something worth playing for!