DOVE is shaking up the gaming world with its "Code My Crown" initiative, in partnership with the Open Source Afro Hair Library. Addressing a glaring gap in the gaming universe, they're bringing natural Black hairstyles into the pixelated realm. Turns out, a whopping 85% of Black gamers feel left out when their avatars can't rock styles like Twist Outs or Afro Fades. DOVE's saying enough with the medieval hairdos; let's get some real curls in there!
This isn't just a cosmetic upgrade. DOVE's enlisted Black 3D artists and animators to create 15 hair sculpts, available for free, to infuse variety and authenticity into game characters. It's a big leap from their support of the Crown Act, fighting hair discrimination in the real world, to championing diversity in the virtual one. The goal? To ensure Black gamers see themselves represented in the games they play.
DOVE's move, part of their broader mission to counter beauty stereotypes, is a call to action for game developers. It's time to embrace the rich diversity of Black hair in the gaming landscape. After all, in a world where you can be anything, why not be accurately represented?
