We are proud and honoured to see Far Cry 6 and Rainbow 6 Siege receive nominations for Outstanding Video Game at the GLAAD Media Awards!
The awards recognize media for their fair, accurate and inclusive representation of the LGBTQ community and the issues that affect their lives.
It’s an honour to see #FarCry6 and Tom Clancy’s #RainbowSixSiege (@ubisoftMTL) nominated for Outstanding Video Game at @GLAAD! 🙌 https://t.co/nD7EnPDNt9
— Ubisoft Toronto (@UbisoftToronto) January 19, 2022
“The diversity of our teams has been critical to making authentic, creative and innovative games, like Far Cry 6 and Rainbow 6 Siege. We’re proud to be recognized by GLAAD for the portrayal of LGBTQ+ characters in both these games,” says Erin Roach, Director of Diversity & Inclusion for Ubisoft’s Canadian studios. “Diversity and inclusion have been core to our studios’ success. It’s important to continue creating an environment where our employees feel comfortable and safe bringing their unique perspectives and experiences to our games so we can continue to show leadership in representation.”
Meet Paolo de la Vega and Rosa Mel Paquete of Far Cry 6
A DJ, an ex-soldier, and one half of rap duo Maximas Matanzas, Paolo’s fight goes beyond his efforts with the Libertad rebels — he is also grappling with a personal revolution. After being expelled from the military for being transgender, Paolo teams up with Talia Benevidez to form Maximas Matanzas and provide a voice for the outcasts of Yara.
A character with a personality as big as her voice, Rosa Mel Paquete is a beloved Yaran singer and performer. She is also the bold, blue and bedazzled alter ego of Gilberto Rosario, spymaster of La Moral. Using her position as an entertainer for the military, Rosa Mel organized a network of spies within the FND.
“A lot of care was taken to ensure the LGBTQ+ representation in Far Cry 6 did justice to the people and issues the game reflected,” says Navid Khavari, narrative director at Ubisoft Toronto. “This was truly a communal effort. We worked closely with members of the LGTBQ+ Employee Resource Group at Ubisoft Toronto and members of the Far Cry 6 team, who are part of the LGTBQ+ community, as well as our external consultants for feedback on the scripts and storylines.”
These conversations were vital in providing insight into lived experiences, character motivations and the issues that the characters would deal with. Transmasculine actor Xavier Lopez and award-winning storyteller, performer and drag queen Selena Vyle were also tapped to bring Paolo and Rosa Mel’s characters to life respectively. “Both actors were crucial in ensuring their characters were fully realized,” Khavari adds.
“There were so many people – both within and outside of Ubisoft – who were generous with their time, providing vital feedback to make sure these characters resonated in an honest and truthful way. Our story is a reflection of their passion and dedication. We’re very honoured to receive this nomination from GLAAD,” says Khavari.
Meet Flores and Osa of Rainbow Six Siege
Santiago “Flores” Lucero is a master thief from Buenos Aires, Argentina. A modern-day Robin Hood, he cut his teeth stealing from crime lords and giving back to the poor. Flores left Buenos Aires to start a new life in Los Angeles. There, he opened a food truck from which he operated his heists. It was also during this time that he met and married his husband.
Osa is an engineering prodigy from Croatia who specializes in electromechanics and robotic engineering. Much like her bulletproof Talon-8 Shield, Osa has her guard up and found herself isolated due to her unorthodox approach and others’ attitudes towards her gender transition. She found her place in Nighthaven with her quick wits and unapologetic enthusiasm for ‘60s sci-fi movies.
“Creating playable LGBTQ+ characters like Flores and Osa is, for me, a promise that as queer people we don’t have to be confined to the background or the supporting cast,” says Simon Ducharme, Narrative Scriptwriter at Ubisoft Montreal. “This nomination means that we are doing the work that needs to be done today, so tomorrow’s gamers don’t have to worry about being seen.”
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At Ubisoft Toronto, we believe diversity is our studio’s biggest strength. We’re committed to creating an inclusive work environment that reflects the diversity of our player community and is inclusive and respectful of the individuality of our team.
We encourage applications from Indigenous people, racialized people, neurodivergent people, people with disabilities, people from gender and sexually diverse communities and/or people with intersectional identities.
Interested in being a part of our team? Visit our career page.
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