Thread by @danielhkwan

I think a lot about the #TTRPG industry and how it can have more #inclusive spaces/content. Since we started @aznsrepresent, the question I'm most frequently asked is, "when is it right for me [a white creator] to make a game that has Asian themes?" #dungeonsanddragons #thread

My answer is usually a reference to @simonsinek's "golden circle" concept regarding one's sense of purpose (or "why").

Why are you making this game? Why have you decided to use Asian themes?

If in your heart, you believe that you should be making your content. Go ahead.

Be creative. Make what you want. But if you want to contribute to the growth and inclusiveness of the #TTRPG community, consider the following...

Will your creation afford others the time and space to join the conversation?

Is your platform preventing the unique experiences of actual Asian creators from being heard?

Creators need to act purposefully instead of reacting to controversy. One of my favourite examples of this is @ZweihanderRPG. Last year, Daniel hit me up to talk about the upcoming Tetsubo game. We had incredible conversations about representation and how to approach the project.

Daniel and his team returned to working on their acclaimed Zweihander title and we later got to catch up at Gen Con 2019. He told me that our conversations caused them to shift their approach to Tetsubo and that it was on hold. I asked why.

He said that he didn't want to bring in Asian creators as consultants for the final product. Daniel wanted Asian creators to work on it from the ground up. It seems so simple, but it's something very few major publishers seem to actually be doing.

Asian themes are either:
1) avoided when they should be present in beautiful multicultural worlds inspired by ours
2) reviewed by sensitivity readers like myself, @LulaVampiro, @cysdavis, @heofonkoppe, and others AFTER much of the production is complete
3) handled poorly

So big shout out to the publishers and creators who involve us from the beginning. Giving us the opportunity to share our experiences in meaningful ways for #TTRPG fans. Giving us space and opportunity are major signs of respect, integrity, and accountability. That's all we want.

Now, to end my thread with a Keanu gif.