In recognition of Hispanic Heritage Month 2021, Xbox is highlighting Hispanic and Latinx contributions to gaming by recognizing Hispanic and Latinx artists, experiences, and stories within and around games. One of these is the upcoming Xbox exclusive Forza Horizon 5, which is set in Mexico.
Hispanic Heritage Month is observed in the United States from September 15 to October 15 and honors Hispanic and Latinx people’s history, cultures, and accomplishments. In 1988, a Hispanic Heritage Week that began in 1968 was expanded to a 30-day event. The period from September 15 to October 15 is noteworthy since it coincides with a number of Latin American nations’ independence celebrations.
Xbox will highlight Hispanic and Latinx voices in a variety of ways throughout the month, including highlighting games made in Latin American countries or featuring playable Hispanic/Latinx characters, games inspired by Hispanic and Latinx cultures and locations, and games with audio, interfaces, and subtitles in Spanish and Portuguese.
Retro Machina is a Brazilian indie game, Cris Tales is a Colombian Dreams Uncorporated game, and Gears Tactics is a turn-based strategy spin-off of the Gears of War franchise starring the father of Gears 5 protagonist Kait Diaz.
Forza Horizon 5, which will be released this autumn and allows players to explore Mexico in an open-world setting, is perhaps the most important game featured for Hispanic Heritage Month. The Forza team is also celebrating, inviting fans to use the hashtag #ForzaHHM to showcase livery ideas inspired by Hispanic and Latinx heritage. The highlighted designers will get in-game credit incentives, and the team’s favorites will be included in Forza Motorsport 7 and Forza Horizon 4.
During Hispanic Heritage Month, Microsoft Rewards users may earn extra points by donating to Latinx in Gaming, a charity that connects and promotes Latinx people in the gaming industry, or CARE, a humanitarian organization that operates in “100 countries including Latin America and the Caribbean.” Xbox is also highlighting Hispanic and Latinx Xbox Ambassadors to hear about their experiences with representation in gaming.
The Xbox Plays team will broadcast games with a distinct Hispanic/Latinx theme on Twitch every week of the month. Additionally, during Hispanic Heritage Month, Xbox Avatars offers a new selection of free Avatar clothing, perhaps expanding on Xbox’s past efforts to make Xbox Avatars more diverse and inclusive.
According to the Pew Research Center, roughly one in every five persons in the United States identified as Hispanic or Latinx in 2020, accounting for 19% of the total population. Video games have the ability to exhibit a wide range of cultures, tales, and history, and Xbox’s efforts during Hispanic Heritage Month may inspire people who may not otherwise learn about and appreciate such cultures to do so.
