I’m the daughter of Dominican and Puerto Rican immigrants. I used to be raised in Inwood, New York, a neighborhood which is now affectionately referred to as “Little Dominican Republic”. Growing up, I had a robust connection to my id as a Latina. From my father’s Puerto Rican facet, I realized to bounce by means of the streets of Dyckman blasting reggaetón and developed a wholesome appreciation for mofongo (though my Dominican facet may by no means let go of mangú). From my mom’s Dominican facet, I realized the which means of pa’lante (maintain transferring ahead) and the ability of celebrating group by way of bachata and block events.
Coming from a low-income residence, I didn’t develop up with the latest consoles. However, I beloved gaming and spent hours taking part in Pokémon Sapphire on my Game Boy Advance and Flash video games on our household laptop. I additionally developed a love for tabletop role-playing video games and nonetheless get pleasure from working video games for my mates. In highschool, I acquired into aggressive gaming and in faculty, I based my faculty’s first online game membership and collegiate league. Now, as a Business Manager for Xbox Game Studios Publishing, I get pleasure from connecting my passions to creating video games even my cousins in Ponce, Puerto Rico, can get pleasure from.
It wasn’t till extra lately that I understood my heritage as an Afro-Latina, an individual with each African and Latino ancestry. Modern media represents Latinos as a unified monolith, summed up by salsa dancing and sugar cranium decorations. However, Latinos, even throughout the similar nation and group, can expertise vastly totally different realities based mostly solely on the colour of their pores and skin. I needed to work to grasp and uncover my African roots, because it has traditionally been suppressed even inside my group. As I proceed to discover what it means to be Afro-Latina within the context of America, I look to the curly afros in numerous character creation screens. I really like that video video games give me a possibility to point out that I’m unapologetically happy with who I am and that my tradition, the brown colour of my pores and skin, and my pure hair will not be add-ons or DLC to my id, however core.
Here are just a few ways in which Team Xbox will probably be supporting Hispanic and Latino communities and recognizing Hispanic Heritage this yr:
Gaming and Impact with Microsoft Rewards
Microsoft Rewards members within the United States can earn and donate factors to organizations supporting Hispanic communities with Xbox. The organizations beneath will probably be featured on console all through September and October:
- Hispanic Heritage Foundation – Hispanic Heritage Foundation’s mission focuses on training, workforce, id, and social impression by means of the lenses of management and tradition.
- CARE – CARE works across the globe to save lots of lives, defeat poverty, and obtain social justice in 100 international locations together with Latin America and the Caribbean.
Xbox players can earn Rewards factors in varied methods, resembling taking part in video games and finishing Game Pass Quests, finishing presents within the Microsoft Rewards app on Xbox, and choose purchases on the Microsoft Store (exclusions apply). Earn factors and redeem them for actual rewards. Join us immediately and donate by means of Xbox.
Enhance Representation and Engage in Learning with Minecraft Education
We’re excited to announce that college students may have one other alternative to see themselves and their cultures represented in LatinExplorers 2, a brand new world from Minecraft Education. It is obtainable now within the Minecraft Education lesson library and launching for Minecraft: Bedrock Edition gamers for FREE in Minecraft Marketplace subsequent week. (Requires Minecraft: Bedrock Edition, bought individually.)
Step into the world of three great ladies who rose to the problem of creating the world a greater place. In this new, immersive world created in partnership with the Hispanic Heritage Foundation, gamers will discover the journeys of three new highly effective Hispanic mentors – Gloria Estefan, the Cuban-American singer who by no means gave up, Dr. Ellen Ochoa, the primary Hispanic lady to go to area, and Monica Ramirez, a robust social activist and lawyer who works tirelessly in ladies’s rights. These mentors encourage gamers to embrace related perseverance, kindness, creativity, and management as they stroll towards the longer term, in addition to showcase highly effective narratives of girls changemakers who’ve overcome adversity to not solely rework their very own lives however have devoted their lives to uplifting others!
This is the continuation of final yr’s LatinExplorers, additionally created in partnership with the Hispanic Heritage Foundation. Between the 2 video games now we have turned six inspiring Latino leaders into Minecraft characters to empower, information, and equip younger folks to turn into changemakers.
“Minecraft is one of the games that we encourage our kids to play because they can explore, learn, and collaborate with other friends. We saw the opportunity to showcase real-world Hispanic heroes utilizing one of the world’s most popular games—and one in which my children love to play—to reach a new generation of leaders.” – Antonio Tijerino, President and CEO of the Hispanic Heritage Foundation
Explore Games Curated by Hispanic and Latino Communities at Microsoft
It’s highly effective to see and have fun the contributions, achievements, and experiences that the Hispanic and Latino communities convey to gaming. We are highlighting the voices that convey a wealthy and vibrant historical past to life by means of genuine storytelling and impressed creativity.
During September and past, we’re that includes quite a lot of sport collections spanning Hispanic and Latino creators, playable characters, and titles influenced by Hispanic and Latino cultures. Available on the Microsoft Stores on Xbox and Windows, take a look at the Hispanic and Latino group video games assortment that exists year-round as a part of our ongoing work to create extra inclusive gaming ecosystems and elevate content material that resonates with communities. For Xbox Game Pass members, take a look at the Xbox Game Pass Hispanic group assortment and the PC Game Pass Hispanic group assortment.
Featured titles throughout the collections embody:
Just Cause 4: Reloaded (Available with Xbox Game Pass on Console, PC, and Cloud, Rated M) – Protagonist Rico Rodriguez is the center of this action-packed sequence. With limitless duties in an open world of chaos, Rico’s Afro-Latino heritage is closely depicted all through the story of the franchise.
Valorant (Available with PC Game Pass) – Riot Game’s fast-growing 5v5 character-based tactical shooter incorporates a numerous character lineup. Playable brokers embody Reyna – a duelist from Mexico, and Gekko – a Mexican-American initiator from East Los Angeles. The private backgrounds of those characters have been crafted with care, together with analysis interviews and collaborating with the characters’ Latin American voice actors.
Aztech Forgotten Gods (Available on Console) – From Mexico-based Lienzo, creators of Mulaka, comes a brand new sport wealthy in lore. Play as Achtli, a younger Mesoamerican lady in a far various future the place the Aztecs have been by no means colonized, as she battles colossal Gods based mostly on the wealth of Aztec mythology.
Sid Meier’s Civilization VI (Available on Console, PC, and Cloud) – Civilization VI is a turn-based technique sport wherein you try and construct an empire to face the check of time. Based in historic roots, this sport consists of Brazilian, Aztec, Mayan and Incan civilizations as playable factions, every of which represents a historic nation, empire or cultural group.
Artist Catalina Estrada Shares Her Inspiration for the Xbox Logo Redesign
In recognition of Hispanic Heritage Month, Xbox commissioned artist Catalina Estrada to design the art work for this yr’s marketing campaign. Catalina is a Colombian illustrator and sample designer residing in Barcelona. She expressed her cultural heritage by means of the variety of the rainforest which homes a myriad of cultures, species, and ecosystems to create a unified complete. The vibrant flora within the illustration represents not solely the luxurious great thing about nature, but additionally the colourful traditions, artwork, and contributions of her group. Each swirl of colour is an homage to the folklore, traditions, and tales which have formed her Colombian and broader Hispanic id. She can also be impressed by cultural values of kinship and resilience. “Hispanic Heritage, to me, is a vibrant and ever-evolving celebration of diversity, unity, and the enduring beauty of our culture. It’s a time to pay homage to our ancestors, embrace our traditions, and create art that reflects the richness of our heritage,” Catalina displays.
Check out extra of Catalina’s work on her web site.
Xbox Ambassadors Feature Stories about Hispanic and Latino Representation in Gaming
The Xbox Ambassadors Program is happy to highlight a number of Xbox Ambassadors this Hispanic Heritage Month. Spotlighted Ambassadors shared what gaming means to them, how gaming connects with their heritage, and which video games and franchises they join with essentially the most. Check out a part of our highlight of Elder Elgin beneath and head over to the Xbox Ambassadors weblog to see extra featured Ambassadors.
Spotlight on Elder Elgin, Xbox Ambassador
What does gaming imply to you?
From the early days of taking part in easy 2D platformers to immersing myself in huge open-world adventures, gaming has been a canvas upon which I’ve painted numerous tales. It’s a realm the place I’ve triumphed over challenges that appeared insurmountable and confronted defeats that taught me resilience. Each sport is a singular universe, an opportunity to step into another person’s footwear or to turn into the hero of my very own epic saga.
How does gaming hook up with your heritage?
Gaming has turn into a platform for connection and illustration. Hispanic sport builders have been making their mark on the trade, creating video games that mirror vibrant tradition and distinctive tales. By supporting and interesting with these creators, I’ve not solely celebrated their accomplishments but additionally contributed to the expansion of Hispanic presence within the world gaming scene. Additionally, gaming has supplied an area for me to attach with fellow Hispanics who share a ardour for the digital worlds I like to discover. Whether it’s by means of on-line communities, native gaming occasions, or just bonding over shared gaming experiences, I’ve shaped connections that transcend borders and languages, united by our frequent love for video games. In essence, whereas gaming won’t be an intrinsic a part of conventional Hispanic heritage, it has turn into a channel by means of which I’ve embraced my id as a Hispanic. It has allowed me to interact with numerous narratives, join with like-minded people, and contribute to the evolving panorama of gaming on a world scale. I’ve discovered a solution to weave my love for video games into the colourful tapestry of my heritage.
New Gamerpics, Profile Theme, and Avatar Items for Hispanic Heritage Month
In partnership with Hispanic and Latino communities at Xbox, we’re introducing a brand new gamerpic, profile theme, avatar gadgets, and wallpaper! Get your avatar gadgets right here andyour wallpaper right here. Content is topic to availability by nation.