Xbox Celebrates AAPI Heritage Month With Live-Streaming Content, Donations to Organizations

May 7, 2021

Xbox, Microsoft’s video gaming brand, recently announced that it is celebrating Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month for the first time.

What is it about: “Asians at Xbox” community co-leads Irene Zhu and Michael Fu explained in the official release that the initiative is part of their efforts to support and celebrate the AAPI community amid the “horrifying events that have taken place in recent months.”

The post condemned the COVID-19-related hate crimes against the AAPI community, highlighting the attacks against the elderly and women.
“The fight against systematic racism is one we all face, and we remain united in strength and partnership with our allies to advance efforts to prevent and ultimately eliminate all forms of bias, discrimination, and racism, including anti-Asian hate,” read the statement.

What to expect: Throughout May, Xbox will be extending its support to both employees and players, through partnerships and initiatives addressing issues that affect the AAPI community.

Xbox Plays live-streaming content will feature API developers, content creators and game protagonists.
APIs in the Xbox Ambassadors community also shared their stories and revealed how games with diverse representation have impacted them.
The Xbox Community Game Club will feature games starring or created by those who identify as Asian or Pacific Islander.
Players in the U.S. can also earn and donate points to Asian American Advancing Justice | AAJC and Asian Pacific Policy and Planning Council (A3PCON) through their Xbox Microsoft Rewards. All donations made in May will be matched by Microsoft.
The Xbox and Windows Stores in the U.S. will highlight games, movies, and TV shows that celebrate the diversity of Asian and Pacific Islander identities as chosen by relevant communities at Microsoft. “Moana,” “Crazy Rich Asians,” and “Minari” are among the films that will be featured for the entire month.
Mojang Studios, the developer behind “Minecraft,” donated $100,000 to AAJC and committed to highlighting AAPI community voices this month.

Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE), the company behind the PlayStation video game system, announced in March that it was making a donation to Stop AAPI Hate. SIE also shared its resources to help the AAPI community in staying safe and reporting incidents.

Featured Image via IGN (left and right)

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