# Diversity Space Tool

> software tool for creating, monitoring, and rating character designs based on factors such as culture, ethnicity, age, ability, body type, gender identity, and sexual orientation

**Wikidata**: [Q118490498](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q118490498)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/diversity-space-tool

## Summary
The Diversity Space Tool is a software application designed to create, monitor, and rate video game character designs based on diversity metrics. Developed by King and the MIT Game Lab, it quantifies factors such as culture, ethnicity, age, ability, body type, gender identity, and sexual orientation to assist in character creation.

## Key Facts
- **Announcement Date:** May 12, 2022.
- **Developer:** Developed by King (a Swedish video game developer) in collaboration with the MIT Game Lab.
- **Primary Function:** A software tool for creating, monitoring, and rating character designs.
- **Classification:** Instance of a software application (copyrighted).
- **Metrics Used:** Culture, ethnicity, age, ability, body type, gender identity, and sexual orientation.
- **Users:** Sledgehammer Games and Blizzard Entertainment.
- **Language:** English.
- **Meme Status:** Documented on Know Your Meme as "Blizzard's Diversity Chart."

## FAQs
### Q: Who created the Diversity Space Tool?
A: The tool was developed by King, the Swedish video game developer known for the *Candy Crush* series, in collaboration with the MIT Game Lab.

### Q: What is the purpose of the Diversity Space Tool?
A: The software is designed to help developers create, monitor, and rate character designs by quantifying diversity factors such as ethnicity, gender identity, body type, and culture.

### Q: Which video game studios use the Diversity Space Tool?
A: According to archived references, the tool is used by Sledgehammer Games and Blizzard Entertainment.

## Why It Matters
The Diversity Space Tool represents a significant, albeit controversial, attempt to quantize and standardize representation within the video game industry. By translating subjective character traits—such as gender identity, culture, and body type—into data, the tool aims to provide developers with a measurable way to assess inclusivity. Its development by a major industry player (King) in partnership with an academic institution (MIT Game Lab) highlights a trend toward data-driven approaches in creative fields.

Its adoption by subsidiaries of Activision Blizzard, specifically Sledgehammer Games and Blizzard Entertainment, indicates an organizational push to systematize diversity efforts in triple-A game development. The tool gained notable attention in May 2022, sparking widespread public discussion regarding the algorithmic assessment of human identity and the "gamification" of social equity in media.

## Notable For
- **Quantifying Identity:** It is distinct for attempting to assign numerical or spatial values to complex human traits like sexual orientation and gender identity.
- **MIT Collaboration:** The tool was developed with input from the MIT Game Lab, bridging academic research and commercial game development.
- **Viral Meme Status:** The tool gained viral attention under the name "Blizzard's Diversity Chart" or "King's Diversity Charts," becoming a subject of internet meme culture.
- **Corporate Adoption:** It was notably utilized by major studios Sledgehammer Games and Blizzard Entertainment.

## Body

### Development and Origin
The Diversity Space Tool is a software application classified as an end-user program. It was created by **King**, a Swedish video game developer headquartered in London, in collaboration with the **MIT Game Lab**. King, founded in 2002, is a prominent entity in the video game industry.

The tool was formally announced on **May 12, 2022**. While developed by King, its usage extends to other entities within the Activision Blizzard corporate structure.

### Functionality and Metrics
The primary function of the tool is to assist in the design phase of video game production. It allows developers to:
- **Create:** Generate character designs based on specific parameters.
- **Monitor:** Track the diversity of a cast of characters over time.
- **Rate:** Assign values or assessments to characters based on specific metrics.

The software analyzes characters based on seven distinct factors listed in its description:
1.  Culture
2.  Ethnicity
3.  Age
4.  Ability
5.  Body type
6.  Gender identity
7.  Sexual orientation

### Industry Usage
The tool is not proprietary solely to King. Structured data confirms its usage by other major game studios:
- **Sledgehammer Games:** Known for titles in the *Call of Duty* franchise.
- **Blizzard Entertainment:** Known for franchises such as *Overwatch* and *World of Warcraft*.

### Public Reception and Documentation
The tool attracted significant attention upon its announcement, widely discussed in gaming media such as *PC Gamer*. It was documented by **Know Your Meme** under the slug `blizzards-diversity-chart`, where it was categorized as "Confirmed." The language of the tool is English, and it holds a copyrighted status.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.pcgamer.com/overwatch-creators-explain-they-didnt-use-kings-creepy-diversity-charts/)
2. [Source](https://web.archive.org/web/20220512185745/https://www.activisionblizzard.com/newsroom/2022/05/king-diversity-space-tool)
3. Know Your Meme