Do Black Game Developers Exist?
polycounter lvl 8
Seems a fair question, since it's February. 
Ok, I know they exist, but I don't know any personally. I mean, I'm black too but I'm still not hired at a studio yet. (contact me if you like my portfolio ;])
So here's a story: my nephew is getting into art and computers cos I am. That means a heck of a lot to me, cos I didn't have anyone in my family or immediate area to inspire me to do that stuff. Suddenly, I'm a role model. Funny how that happens.
Anyways, I've been asking peeps and colleagues if they know any other black guys or girls making games (since I'm technically still aspiring). Artists, programmers, producers etc I'd love to know of any of em!
Ok, I know they exist, but I don't know any personally. I mean, I'm black too but I'm still not hired at a studio yet. (contact me if you like my portfolio ;])
So here's a story: my nephew is getting into art and computers cos I am. That means a heck of a lot to me, cos I didn't have anyone in my family or immediate area to inspire me to do that stuff. Suddenly, I'm a role model. Funny how that happens.
Anyways, I've been asking peeps and colleagues if they know any other black guys or girls making games (since I'm technically still aspiring). Artists, programmers, producers etc I'd love to know of any of em!
Replies
[ame="
The game industry still needs more diversity!
The game industry is pretty diverse.
I feel awkward naming specifics, but here I go: there was at least 6 women (out of, maybe 20 people), a black guy, a fairly traditionally dressed afghan woman, and a handful of Japanese and Korean men.
And of course, a bunch of white people.
Didn't know any of these guys
I know it may seem like an "of course!" kind of question, but believe me when I say Google searches I've done for black developers are pretty slim pickings.
A 2005 IGDA survey showed 85% White, 2% Black, 2.5% Hispanic, 7.5% Asian, 4.7% Other.
Um yeah, I don't know????
Lets keep this thread positive, it's about inspiring a new generation
my old boss!
I've also sat next to plenty of black students who were in the same game development program as me.
Also, yes, there are laws in many places that say employers can't not hire you because of your race, but the sad fact is there still is racism alive and kicking. It's best to keep all that sort of stuff off your resume / website to at least avoid racist pre-screening before even getting an interview. Not saying it happens all the time, or everywhere. but for the odd time it does happen....
With all that said... Yes, there are devs of all races in the industry.
I'm lucky that I snagged up 1 of the 3 slots made available for Mexicans.
Agree with all of this ^
for the record; I happen to be black.
I think one of the biggest reason you are not finding many "black artists" in your Google video game searches is because they consider themselves to just be artists. And dont feel the need to quantity themselves as a "black artist"
http://www.cgchannel.com/2013/12/interview-epic-games-concept-artist-j-p-targete/
Ted Davis, texture painter
http://www.thegnomonworkshop.com/store/product/427/Hard-Surface-Texture-Painting
Ryan Benjamin [His hardbound sketchbooks are pretty awesome!]
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/ryan-benjamin/6/a7b/3ba
http://www.ryanbenjamin.com/
dustinbrown, that video you posted is actually Mat.
http://matbroome.com/
why does it even need to be said? why aren't we just hiring skilled people? why does it even matter where a person is from as long as they're good at what's needed of them?
why do we even need to highlight the fact that a particular studio might be "highly diverse" in the "type" of people it employs? whenever someone highlights a place as being diverse, or another place as needing more diversity, they're actually categorizing people. it means that someone has sat there and said "we have enough people of x skin colour, but we need more people of y skin colour in order to appear a particular way to outsiders". so fuck that. in it's own way, that's still fucking racist.
fuck this subject, seriously.
Seems like you have an opinion Gir. Tell us more.
I love you Joe, and i love you too, Wagglepants.
If somebody is inspired to join the industry based on the achievements of another person then I think it's a hugely positive thing. I believe that what almighty_gir is saying is that the specifics should not come into play.
I had this discussion with someone else, most of us white folks have no clue what it's like growing up as a minority. It's easy to ask "why do we even need examples of black developers, just do the best work" when every behind the scenes video or interview shows people who look like us. We are a product of our society, anyone who says "I don't see color" without having done some serious introspection is naive and probably more affected by societal preconceptions about race then they realize.
Checkout this guy's channel stats, he's killing it revenue wise.
[ame="
My uni class for example had 30 students, all white and of only 6 were female (2 of those females also dropped out and 1 moved onto another course). It's also not as if my uni was a large majority white either it is extremely diverse.
Either way, it's a very sad day when people get hired over someone else due to their race and/or gender. Skill, quality of work and in most cases personality is what people should be hiring for.
Feel free to critique a thread of mine since you don't hold back /shameless cross-post
All I gotta say is thanks for keeping it positive!
A lot of other dialogues floating around about this stuff isn't nearly as. The little dude is gonna be mind blown for sure
And keep it coming!
screw everything else, this is what it's about, right here
[ame="
O/T:
I feel like it has to be, if your not like me and the rest of us, i won't like you and your not going to get hired..type of vibe, that is how i've felt from the past interview i had, i'm me you don't like it too bad, at the end of the day it is about the work not my personality and i am a decent person but i rather joke around on here cause people make you out to be what they want you to be in the end anyway - (Category-enter him here,done).
On/Topic:
That is amazing man, i don't see any other way to slice this thread than the way you did it, just be blunt with it and people will react how they react. What i was saying earlier is i am not racist and this black and nationality name calling is offensive as already apparently shown but some of the responses.
Again should be about the work and the skill... personality should just be extra icing on the cake, i don't like people for my own reasons but i still critic there stuff if they asked for it even though they ignore my stuff, recently for Comicon btw, i don't let what i see interfere with that, idc what race he is, it was about the art...and that is all that matters to me if your cool bonus for me if your awkward i know how to act with you..and not make you feel alienated like everyone else does cause they want to put you in that category of we should stay away from him... bs. I feel like anyone who does that is a pansy-my opinion.
Grr, anyway best of luck with your nephew that relationship is going to be amazing maybe i will have one myself in a few years.
Game Art contains people from all walks of life... Internationally, there are soo many damn artists that I look up to, admire, and try to learn from that don't look anything like me. Maybe this is part of a social stigma in Arizona...? But, as a current role model to him.. opening his eyes up to other developers who are amazing at what they do will allow him to connect and learn from a larger audience and expand his perspective.
Personality plays a much greater role with getting into the industry, and if the artist only connects with a certain demographic then he risks alienating the rest of the team. Employers will catch onto this quickly,with regards to whether someone fits in with the whole team or not.
I think we've answered the question whether black game developers exist, but I gotta say... This thread is running the risk of being far too superficial.
I think as an employer you have a duty to not only get the most qualified person for the role but also try and maintain a good working environment. Most people's personalities I'm sure would fit the bill.
Different studios/teams have different types of working environment which unfortunately everyone doesn't fit in, I'm not talking about social traits more about interests I guess. For example I wouldn't expect TT games to hire someone who isn't passionate about LEGO over someone equally as skilled/qualified who is passionate about it.
@Stephen: Who said it was about exclusion? :]
We already know of a plethora of great artists from many walks of life. Well, I do. The kid's a kid. And he wants to see if any of those cool artists look like him
Personally, I'm inspired by all of you on Polycount and I have no idea what most of you are irl
You could all be unicorns for all I know
Sorry I had to
I make a personal effort to not make my profile pics on any social network of my actual face, i want people to see my artwork first.
Although I will say of all the studio's I've worked,'I've only been 1 of 3-4 black person at that studio. Only 2 studios so cant really speak on the rest.