Although Hispanic Heritage Month isn’t something I circle on my calendar with the same anticipation as a fun holiday, it’s still very important to me.
It’s special because it’s a time when we all take a moment to reflect on the rich cultural contributions of the Hispanic and Latino communities. I have seen countless contributions from our community, but sometimes it is easy to forget how much we have contributed to this amazing country.
For me, this month is a powerful reminder of where I come from and the memories I hold dear. It’s a chance to reconnect with my roots, my grandmother’s cooking, and the Spanish language. Cherishing our cultural identity is essential and Hispanic Heritage Month allows me to do so.
One of my favorite ways to share my culture is through sharing traditional recipes with friends and colleagues. Either that Empanada or corn cakeCooking these dishes and sharing your recipes with others will introduce them to the delicious flavors of Chilean cuisine.
Food is a powerful gateway to understanding different cultures. These culinary experiences help people gain a deeper understanding of the different flavors, ingredients, and traditions of different countries.
Another thing I love about the Hispanic community is that they love sharing their cultures with each other through gifts. When I live in the United States and visit Gamaga’s studio in Santiago, I like to bring my friends candies that they don’t have in Chile. I’ve always been obsessed with gummy bugs, and in the US, there’s a brand called Albanese that’s gluten-free and sugar-free and easy to share! In return, I received coffee beans, a color-changing Beat Heroes Quest mug, and some home-cooked food from my colleague from Columbia. Just five minutes of connection, exchanging gifts, can mean the world and help you learn about someone’s culture.
But celebrating our heritage is not limited to giving gifts or enjoying delicious dishes. It can also happen in the virtual realm of video games. When players from all over the world can play games and participate in events together, we can foster more cultural understanding and appreciation, creating a safer and more enjoyable gaming space for everyone!
Kongregate’s recent acquisition of Gamaga Studios is a testament to the power of cultural fusion.
Employees from diverse backgrounds, including Chilean and American, seamlessly blend traditions and practices to create a unique and inclusive company culture. Simple gestures like saying “good morning” (inspired by an office tradition started at Gamaga) or celebrating Chilean Independence Day have become an accepted part of the company culture across American companies.
Kongregate is about fostering unity and understanding between teams. During our year-round wellness campaign, we encourage people to share healthy recipes with each other and teach each other about cultural traditions related to food.
We’ve also partnered with T2 Latam in 2022, a collaboration I led, to bring Bitverse games to the Spanish-speaking community and actively engage with Latin American players. The Latin American player base may be overlooked throughout the gaming industry, but this connection was very important to me because Kongregate sees it as an integral part of our community, both as players and as developers.
This cultural fusion exemplifies the importance of diversity and inclusion in the gaming industry and reflects the spirit of unity that is a goal promoted by Hispanic Heritage Month. It reflects how different cultures can come together to create something beautiful and unique.
By sharing our culture, collaborating with diverse teams, and embracing each other, we create a more inclusive and vibrant gaming space for people in our industry and players of all backgrounds. As the gaming industry continues to evolve, let’s continue to celebrate our heritage and make a positive impact on the world of gaming!
Francisco Albornoz is the Marketing Manager at Kongregate and has been part of the team for 5 years. He has a lovely dog, Benny, and loves finding new games.