Celebrating Black History: A Worldwide Tribute to Culture and Creativity in Gaming

Summary

Embracing Global Black Culture is Xbox’s way of celebrating the breadth and depth of Black cultural expressions worldwide, especially the significant presence of Afro-Caribbean, Afro-Latino, African, and African American traditions in the gaming realm. Xbox is currently spotlighting a diverse lineup of games shaped by talented Black creators and those featuring Black protagonists. By highlighting rising Black creators, Xbox remains devoted to promoting fresh voices, showcasing their groundbreaking perspectives and distinct contributions to the gaming industry.

As Black History Month takes the spotlight, Xbox is here to remind us that Black culture is vast, diverse, and rich in its diversity. This cultural tapestry stretches around the globe, from Afro-Caribbean music’s beats to the artistic heritage of African American traditions. Xbox proudly highlights the diverse voices of Black creators worldwide, showcasing the powerful stories and games that encompass the entirety of the Black experience.

Black culture doesn’t adhere to a singular narrative; it’s birthed from countless generations of resilience, joy, innovation, and communal bonding across different lands, continents, and tongues. The games we support aspire to elevate these varied perspectives, honoring the captivating beauty and intricate complexities of Black culture in every form. Xbox is enthusiastic about championing the upcoming wave of Black creators forging the future of gaming through the games and programs we develop. These emerging voices are injecting fresh, dynamic viewpoints into the industry, crafting themes rich with cultural significance that captivate and resonate with players for years. Our support and amplification provide a platform for their one-of-a-kind stories to thrive, encouraging a new era of talent and players alike.

Xbox is dedicated to empowering creators whose works inspire, challenge, and entertain, ensuring their global stories are celebrated.

Minecraft: Celebrating Black History Month

Minecraft carries forward its mission during Black History Month by amplifying the voices of Black individuals, fostering education about Black history, and promoting communal engagement. Through Minecraft and Microsoft platforms, Black creators find their rightful place in Minecraft’s marketplace, in collaboration with educators teaching civil rights history, and support for non-profits invested in Black communities.

Enter the ‘Lessons in Good Trouble,’ an engaging Minecraft experience aimed at enlightening players on the critical value of standing up for justice. Crafted by Minecraft Education in alliance with educators Natasha Rachell and Felisa Ford, the lesson has garnered over 6 million downloads since its debut in 2020. This refreshed DLC introduces students to John Lewis, delving into his pivotal contributions to the Civil Rights Movement and the roots and influence of his nonviolent philosophy. From colonial India to Selma, Alabama, and apartheid South Africa, these lessons present players with the power to enact change in their neighborhoods.

Moreover, the Minecraft Marketplace highlights the contributions of Black creators, promoting their work to a global stage, while teaming up with The Cxmmunity Foundation to boost STEAM development and elevate representation in esports and gaming.

By cultivating a space inclusive of diverse voices and histories, Minecraft is shaping a community where education, creativity, and social change collide.

South of Midnight: Exploring Southern Folklore

South of Midnight invites players on a captivating journey through the cultural expanse of the American Deep South in this innovative third-person action-adventure game. Here, players become Hazel, a young woman wielding a powerful ancient weaving ability, navigating a world infused with myth and folklore, rich with regional history and Black stories intertwined with Southern heritage. Through this haunting Southern Gothic narrative, Xbox spotlights how games can safeguard and echo Black culture, folklore, and resilience while crafting a narrative rich and intricate as the region itself.

Arriving on April 8, 2025, South of Midnight on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox App for Windows PC, Steam, and the cloud will be playable on day one with Game Pass.

Explore Games Crafted by Black Creators and Featuring Black Protagonists

Dive into Black history’s immersive stories by exploring an array of games. During February and beyond, play through collections that shine a light on Black creators, lead characters, and character customization flexibly offering varying skin tones and hairstyles.

Some notable highlights from the Xbox Game Collection include:

• Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition – The African Royals: Venture into Africa with two new civilizations, Ethiopians and Hausa, and explore alliances unique to the game.
• Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn is a riveting Souls-lite where a dramatic clash awaits you between gods and humanity in a battle for survival.
• Baldur’s Gate 3: Delve into an emotional rollercoaster of friendship and betrayal, as you navigate the power struggle between divine and worldly forces.
• Mortal Kombat 1: Experience the rebirth of this iconic universe with brand-new fighting systems and modes.
• Streets of Rage 4: A beloved beat-‘em-up series returns with fresh mechanics and stunning visuals.
• Aerial_Knight’s We Never Yield: Maneuver through challenging environments driven by heart-pounding rhythms in this dynamic, stylized adventure.
• Tell Me Why: An emotionally gripping mystery by familiar creators, where your decisions shape an intimate story about twins confronting their past.
• Forza Horizon 5: Venture into Mexico’s stunning landscapes in a carefree driving experience.
• El Paso, Elsewhere is a neo-noir supernatural journey through a shifting motel in a love letter to classic action films.
• Jay & Silent Bob: Mall Brawl packs a retro beat ‘em up punch with nods to the View Askewniverse.

Rising Voices: Emerging Black Creators Shaping the Future of Gaming

Dive into the inspirational journey of Nicodemus Madehdou, founder, and CEO of JumpButton Studio. Hailing from Liberia to Philadelphia, Nicodemus’ story speaks of resilience, passion, and community empowerment.

Unnerved by the challenges of adapting to a new world, Nicodemus discovered the social potential of online games like RuneScape, sparking his ambition to create games that foster connection and break social barriers. With co-founders Daniel Ostermiller and Calbert Warner, JumpButton Studio was formed to craft inclusive and culturally enriched gaming adventures.

Located in Philadelphia, the studio taps into its vibrant cultural scenery and esteemed educational institutions like Drexel University to inspire a thriving local gaming community. Determined to retain local talent, Nicodemus and his team are committed to making Philadelphia a thriving game development hub.

A firm believer in resilience, learning through setbacks, and transparent communication, Nicodemus shares that strong community bonds and genuine connections are keys to success in the gaming world.

JumpButton Studio is developing two promising titles: ‘The Piece,’ where graffiti art springs to life, and ‘Our Passing Thoughts,’ a co-op journey exploring human connections heightened during pandemic isolation. This project fosters collaboration as players tackle existential challenges through shared abilities, uncovering trust and sacrifice that intertwine and evolve like the players themselves. Our Passing Thoughts is slated for release this year, so keep a lookout and follow @opt_thegame for updates.

Xbox salutes Nicodemus and JumpButton Studio as part of our unwavering commitment to uplifting and celebrating influential Black voices steering the gaming industry forward.

Gaming for Impact

In supporting mental wellness, U.S.-based Rewards members can earn and dedicate their points toward organizations using Xbox. The Rewards hub features the following programs:

• Gameheads aims to create new talents and diverse voices by leveraging tech avenues like video game design.
• Cxmmunity a non-profit that enhances BIPOC representation across gaming and esports, driven through STEAM education and vocational growth.

Rewards Points

Xbox enthusiasts, aged 18 and above, can earn Rewards points by engaging with games, completing Game Pass Quests, and purchasing eligible items through the Microsoft Store. Amplify your impact today—donate your reward points via either the Rewards hub or the dedicated Rewards redeem page for enticing results.

Wallpapers and Dynamic Backgrounds

To apply the dynamic background on your console, follow these steps:

1. Open the guide by pressing the Xbox button on your controller.
2. Go to Profile & system > Settings > General > Personalization > My background > Dynamic backgrounds.
3. Choose your preferred background art with the A button, selecting from Games, Xbox, or Abstract dynamic categories.

Enjoy your experience with these new backgrounds, complementing your Black History Month celebrations.