Zynga to Celebrate Pride Month With LGBTQIA2S+ Inclusive In-Game Events, Social Spotlights and More
SAN FRANCISCO – May 25, 2022 – Throughout Pride Month in June, Zynga Inc., a global leader in interactive entertainment, will kick off a celebratory lineup of in-game features, employee spotlights and social integrations across several titles to promote LGBTQIA2S+ inclusivity, diversity and belonging. LGBTQIA2S+ refers to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning, Intersex, Asexual, Two Spirit and countless ways in which people self identify.
To support LGBTQIA2S+ causes, zPride, a Zynga employee resource group, is donating a total of $50,000 to several non-profits. Gifts of $20,000 each will support Brave Space Alliance, the first Black-led, trans-led LGBTQ+ Center, and the LGBT Foundation, a U.K.-based charity that delivers services, advice and support for the LGBTQ+ community. In addition, zPride is joining Gay Gaming Professionals as a corporate sponsor with a $10,000 donation for its scholarship program that helps marginalized and LGBTQ2SA+ students interested in gaming careers.
“I am honored to support zPride’s thoughtful approach to raising awareness through sponsorships that are intersectional, global and upstream,” said Vijay Pendakur, Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer of Zynga and the Executive Sponsor for zPride. “At Zynga, we are committed to equity and inclusivity while supporting the LGBTQIA2S+ community throughout gaming and beyond.”
As part of the commemoration, Zynga welcomes all players to join in on the inclusive fun with the following in-game events and social features:
During Pride Month, FarmVille 3 will spotlight four lovable characters who identify as LGBTQIA2S+: Bobbi Stitch, Ginny Glaze, Chad Wood and Carlos Cardova. As FarmVille 3’s iconic stylist, Bobbi says the best accessories in life are inclusivity, togetherness and acceptance. An award-winning grill master, Ginny is firing up Pride Month with her message that love is love regardless of our differences. Chad, the farm’s resident lumberjack, invites everyone to join him in chopping down biases and planting seeds of love. Carlos is a brilliant and creative ice-cream maker who hopes we can melt our differences and create the perfect scoop of diversity and equality. Throughout the month of June, you can discover more about each character on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and TikTok.
To celebrate Pride Month, Game of Thrones™ Slots Casino will send players on a special Pride-themed quest hosted by the House of Martell. Throughout the month of June, this limited two-day event will feature Oberyn Martell and Ellaria Sand as players spin their way through different slot machines to earn extra coins.
Throughout the month of June, Rollic invites High Heels! players to #PlayWithPride as they strut down the festive runway with brand new characters, new themed accessories and an exclusive Pride heel design! The special in-game event also includes limited-time gift boxes to collect, a new friendly pet to adopt and an exclusive new bonus level full of Pride.
A special guest is coming to Hit It Rich! Casino Slots – Elvira! For a limited time in honor of Pride Month, players can join Elvira’s Pride Parade in-game, spinning their way through different challenges and earning rewards along the way. Those players who complete the SlotVenture challenge will earn a huge jackpot at the end!
Pride month is hitting the Emerald City! To celebrate, Wizard of Oz Slots is treating players to special bonus #PlayWithPride challenges and rewards, including a raffle for a RARE Rainbow Pack at the end of June.
In celebration of Pride Month, Words With Friends 2 invites players to complete special in-game events and earn unique rewards to show their pride. From June 6 to 12, players can engage with a special Solo Challenge where they can advance along the Pride Parade Route against community members to earn unique badges. From June 15 to 19, players can match wits with the couple Gia & Fia to earn a specially themed profile frame. In addition, Words of the Day throughout Pride Month will highlight diverse words.
Zynga Poker is inviting players to show their pride with a special celebration in-game for the month of June. Kicking off on June 1, players can send high value, pride-themed table gifts to their poker buddies, ranging from Pride cocktails to chips and flags. Players can also express themselves while at the virtual tables with a special Pride emote that will be available for a limited time.
Discover more ways in which Zynga is empowering LGBTQIA2S+ gamers and the wider community in this video and explore upcoming zPride spotlights on Zynga’s blog.
Show your support for LGBTQIA2S+ by sharing how you #PlayWithPride.
View the supporting assets here.
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Linda Chung
lchung@zynga.com