Lydia Cooke
University of Brighton
Lydia Cooke is a PhD researcher specializing in Queer Game Studies, focusing on representation in mechanics, narrative, and aesthetics. She has lectured on video game studies at Brighton University and conducted industry interviews at Develop: Brighton 2024 on identity representation in games. As a content creator and academic, she bridges critical theory and practical game design, helping developers move beyond tokenistic diversity to create meaningful, systemically relevant representation.
Lydia Cooke is speaking at the following session/s
Representation in Games: Beyond the Surface
Games are becoming more diverse, but many still treat representation as an add-on rather than an integral part of design. This roundtable invites developers to discuss how representation can be embedded into mechanics, narratives, and player agency rather than just being an aesthetic checkbox.
Moderated by Lydia Cooke, a researcher in Queer Game Studies, this session will explore the challenges and successes of meaningful inclusion in game development. Key topics include:
- When representation affects gameplay vs. when it’s only aesthetic
- The challenges of selling diverse narratives to studios and publishers
- How identity shapes player experience, mechanics, and story structure
This is an opportunity for developers to share experiences, discuss obstacles, and explore how to create richer, more inclusive games.
Session Takeaway
- Understanding how representation can shape gameplay, not just aesthetics
- Sharing real-world challenges of pushing for meaningful diversity
- Connecting with other devs passionate about authentic representation
Session speakers
