Celebrating Black History: Embracing Global Culture and Creativity in Gaming

As we dive into Black History Month, it’s a great time to appreciate the vast, diverse, and richly layered tapestry of Black culture. From the infectious beats of Afro-Caribbean music to the artistic traditions of African American communities, this cultural brilliance is evident worldwide, each place contributing its unique stories, creativity, and vitality. This February, Xbox is stepping up to celebrate these voices by highlighting the robust stories and games that showcase the depth of the Black experience globally.

Black culture is a powerful mosaic of stories shaped by endurance, joy, creativity, and a shared spirit across continents and languages. Through the games we champion, Xbox is committed to spotlighting these different perspectives, celebrating the beauty and complexity of Black culture in all its glorious forms. We are honored to elevate the upcoming generation of Black creators who are defining the future of gaming—through the games we launch and the initiatives we support. These voices are bringing fresh ideas and culturally enriching experiences to the industry, destined to leave a mark for years to come. By amplifying these creators, we aim to provide a nurturing platform where their unique stories can flourish, sparking a myriad of talents and inspiring numerous players worldwide.

Xbox is determined to support those creators who inspire, challenge, and entertain audiences, ensuring their stories reverberate globally.

Minecraft Celebrates Black History Month with Education and Community Impact

This Black History Month, Minecraft stays true to its mission to uplift Black voices, promote education on Black history, and celebrate community power. By leveraging the Minecraft and Microsoft platforms, Minecraft shines a light on Black creators in its marketplace, collaborates with educators to teach civil rights history, and supports non-profits that aid Black communities.

Lessons in Good Trouble is an engaging Minecraft experience designed to educate players on the significance of standing up for justice. Developed by Minecraft Education in conjunction with educators Natasha Rachell and Felisa Ford, this initiative has seen over 6 million downloads since its 2020 launch. The latest version welcomes students to learn about John Lewis, diving into his impactful role in the Civil Rights Movement and the philosophy of nonviolence. From colonial India to Selma, Alabama, to apartheid South Africa and beyond, Lessons in Good Trouble illustrates how players can foster change in their own communities. It’s accessible for free in the Minecraft Marketplace and as a free demo in Minecraft Education.

Beyond educational content, the Minecraft Marketplace celebrates Black creators, ensuring their work garners recognition and is shared with a wide audience. Minecraft has also teamed up with The Cxmmunity Foundation to bolster the representation of underrepresented groups in esports and gaming via STEAM development. Keep an eye out this February to learn more about this pioneering group through Minecraft’s social channels.

Through fostering a space for diverse voices and histories, Minecraft is cultivating an inclusive community where education, creativity, and social progress converge.

South of Midnight

South of Midnight is an exciting third-person action-adventure game that delves deeply into the rich cultural tapestry of the American Deep South. As players embark on this evocative Southern Gothic journey, they assume the role of Hazel, a young woman with an ancient weaving ability. The game invites players into a world influenced by the region’s rich history, culture, and traditions, placing a significant spotlight on the often-overlooked Black stories embedded in Southern heritage.

In recognition of Black History Month, Xbox is thrilled to highlight South of Midnight as an exemplar of how games can preserve and amplify Black culture, exploring folklore and resilience while crafting a narrative as rich as the region itself.

South of Midnight is set to release on April 8, 2025, for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox App for Windows PC, Steam, and cloud, and it will be available on day one with Game Pass.

Discover Games Shaped by Black Creators and Featuring Black Protagonists

Celebrate the impactful legacy of Black history through engaging gameplay. Join the global community in playing a spectrum of games spotlighting Black creators, protagonists, and character creation options that include diverse skin tones and hairstyles.

Here’s a peek into some highlights of our Xbox Game Collection celebrating Black History Month.

Games Featuring Black Protagonists & Stories:

• Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition – The African Royals invites you to explore the heart of Africa with new civilizations such as the Ethiopians and Hausa. Experience unique age-up mechanics, forming Alliances while using Influence to hire allies’ units or research technologies (requires the Age of Empires III Base Game, sold separately).

• Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn presents an intense Souls-lite experience from the creators of Ashen. Gods and firearms collide in a life-defying battle, challenging the brave Coalition army to embrace magic and gunpowder to retake the world.

• Baldur’s Gate 3 immerses you in a world where dark forces threaten to transform you, yet they empower you too. This game sets the stage for a gripping tale of loyalty, betrayal, and the seductive call of power.

• Mortal Kombat 1 redefines the iconic franchise with a new universe. Enjoy updated fighting systems, game modes, and brutal fatalities.

• Streets of Rage 4 brings back the beloved beat ’em up series with vibrant visuals and a stellar soundtrack, enhancing the classic gameplay fans cherish.

Games from Black Creators:

• Aerial_Knight’s We Never Yield offers a thrilling, stylized experience where players dodge obstacles in single-player or cooperative formats, racing through a tumultuous kingdom with invigorating beats.

• Tell Me Why from the creators of Life is Strange, follows reunited twins Tyler and Alyson Ronan as they delve into their shared memories, critically shaping their bond and future.

• Forza Horizon 5 promises an exhilarating adventure across Mexico’s vibrant landscapes, featuring boundless driving fun with countless global automotive icons.

• El Paso, Elsewhere is a supernatural action ride blending elements of neo-noir; unearth mysteries as you hunt creatures and save victims in a reality-shifting motel.

• Jay & Silent Bob: Mall Brawl offers a retro 8-bit beat ’em up filled with nostalgic references and challenging brawls.

Rising Voices: Emerging Black Creators Shaping the Future of Gaming

Meet Nicodemus Madehdou, the inspiring CEO & founder of JumpButton Studio. His journey from Liberia to the US sparked a passion for creating games that foster connection. Alongside co-founders Daniel Ostermiller and Calbert Warner, Nicodemus aims to deliver inclusive, culturally rich gaming experiences from Philadelphia, honing on robust local talent without sacrificing opportunities.

To fellow game developers, Nicodemus emphasizes the significance of resilience, exploring failures as lessons, and maintaining transparency with peers and investors. He values relationship building, attributing his success to mentors, colleagues, and his supportive community.

JumpButton is buzzing with excitement for two new games: The Piece and Our Passing Thoughts. The former is an innovative take on graffiti art, and the latter explores connection, communication, and trust during player interactions amidst pandemic-inspired isolation.

Xbox stands by Nicodemus and JumpButton Studio, dedicated to celebrating and unleashing the potential of emerging Black creators steering the future of gaming.

Gaming with Impact

Xbox users in the US can use their Rewards points to support organizations focused on mental wellness. This includes initiatives like Gameheads and Cxmmunity, fostering diverse talent and BIPOC representation in gaming.

Members 18+ can earn points through gaming activities, Game Pass Quests, and eligible purchases at the Microsoft Store. Start earning now and redeem points for incredible rewards, or donate to impactful causes through the Rewards hub.

Wallpapers and Dynamic Backgrounds

Join the celebration with a special Xbox wallpaper and dynamic background honoring Black History Month, inspired by Ethiopian and Nigerian textiles and art. Follow these steps to apply it on your console:

• Press the Xbox button on your controller to access the guide.
• Navigate to Profile & system > Settings > General > Personalization > My background > Dynamic backgrounds.
• Choose from Games, Xbox, or Abstract dynamic backgrounds and confirm your selection with the A button.