As you may have seen, it's been announced on the official Xbox Wire website that Xbox Game Studios Publishing is entering into a long-term partnership with GLAAD, aiming to increase LGBTQIA+ representation in Xbox games.
The announcement was made as Microsoft celebrated the beginning of Pride Month 2023. Xbox Game Studios Publishing is described as a "group of game industry professionals partnering with world-class independent developers on innovative Xbox franchises", with an example being last year's As Dusk Falls from developer Interior/Night.
Here's a bit of what the Xbox website has to say about the partnership:
"Xbox Game Studios Publishing is announcing a long-term partnership with GLAAD to support our LGBTQIA+ team members, our partner studios, and other game developers in our community in increasing representation in Xbox games. Through this partnership, we are hoping to bring more LGBTQIA+ stories, characters and lived experiences to Xbox in ways that will resonate with gamers around the world.
We recognize the need and demand for more diverse stories, especially as many places become more hostile to transgender, non-binary and LGBTQIA+ communities."
As part of Pride Month, Xbox is giving away a bunch of content for various games including cosmetics for Asphalt 9, Overwatch 2 and Disney Dreamlight Valley, as well as a download for the full version of Tell Me Why - no catches!
There are lots of other ways Xbox is working to support Pride Month this year as well, which you can read all about on the official Xbox Wire website.