Can a Musical Indie Game Really Capture the Deaf Experience?

Harmonium: A Symphony of Inclusion and a Testament to Authenticity in Games

The video game industry is often criticized for its lack of diversity and representation. While progress is being made, the majority of games still center around the same tired tropes and narratives, failing to reflect the diverse realities of the world we live in. However, a glimmer of hope emerges from The Odd Gentlemen‘s upcoming game, Harmonium: The Musical. This heartfelt adventure, set in a land where music and sign language intertwine, is a testament to the power of authentic representation and the importance of prioritizing lived experiences in game development.

Harmonium follows Melody, a young deaf girl yearning to participate in the musical traditions of her hearing family. Her desire leads her on a fantastical journey to the magical land of Harmonium, where music and sign language are the primary means of communication. But what sets this game apart isn’t just its enchanting premise; it’s the unwavering commitment from The Odd Gentlemen to create a game that is not only inclusive but authentically, respectfully, and meticulously crafted.

"Before I even touched the demo of Harmonium at Summer Game Fest earlier this month, I started bawling," said a journalist from The Verge. "It’s about a young deaf girl, Melody, who wishes to participate in the musical traditions of her hearing family. That desire leads her to an adventure in the magical land of Harmonium where music and sign language are the primary means of communication. But what really got me about this game is the dedication from its development team to not only make this game but make it right — with all of the costs and risks that entails."

Studio founder Matt Korba emphasizes that Harmonium was inspired by theatre groups like Deaf West, which seamlessly integrates sign language into performances. "Usually on projects like this, the script will be written in English, and [developers will hire] a consultant at the last minute that knows sign language, and they’ll just translate," explained Korba. "To me, Harmonium required a ‘ground-up approach’ that, from day one, integrated the people with the same lived experiences as the characters created for the game."

This principle led to crucial partnerships: The Odd Gentlemen actively engaged with the Southern California Association for the Deaf and recruited deaf developers and artists to ensure a deep understanding of Deaf culture. One such collaborator is Matt Daigle, a deaf artist, performer, and graphic designer known for creating the international symbol for breastfeeding and his webcomic, That Deaf Guy, portraying the everyday life of a mixed-hearing family.

"I relate to Melody because I grew up in a family of musicians, and I played the clarinet," Daigle signed, his interpreter translating for the interview. "It’s good to show that a person who was hearing who became deaf can still enjoy music, and that deaf people enjoy everything in their own way."

Daigle’s involvement was essential in ensuring Melody’s portrayal as a deaf character resonated with authenticity. However, representing Melody’s full identity required additional layers of depth. Korba explained that Melody is Filipino, and her experiences are shaped by both her cultural heritage and her deafness.

"As we got deeper into development, we realized there was a cross-cultural difference," Korba admitted. "We had to laser focus and try to find people with lived experience and the [right] background, so we ended up finding two actresses who are both deaf and Filipino that we use for reference accuracy."

This meticulous attention to detail extended to the narrative itself. The story of Harmonium underwent three full rewrites to ensure accuracy and sensitivity. Korba described how initial drafts, which focused on the challenges of a deaf child navigating a hearing world, were met with resistance from deaf playtesters. "One of our early passes on the script had a lot of deaf struggles in it," Korba stated.

The developers discovered that, while those struggles were real, Deaf individuals didn’t want to see them dominate the narrative. "They told us, ‘I don’t want to see that in a video game.’ They didn’t want their kids to grow up expecting to always struggle with their hearing loved ones."

This feedback prompted a shift in focus towards the benefits of Deaf culture. "We discovered it’s okay to show challenges, but you also have to show the benefits." This shift embraced the philosophy of "Deaf Gain," which celebrates the unique strengths and abilities of Deaf individuals.

"This is about people speaking with their eyes," Daigle signed, demonstrating the richness of visual communication. The opening moments of Harmonium‘s demo feature Melody communicating with her deaf friend through a window, showcasing a subtle yet effective example of Deaf Gain.

"We have had time to let those things incubate and develop, bringing them to an audience that includes everybody," Daigle signed. "Does that sound expensive? It sure is. But it’s worth it."

The challenge, however, lies in the current climate of the video game industry. Faced with layoffs, studio closures, and project cancellations, game publishers are increasingly focusing their investments on large-scale, live-service games with recognizable IPs. Smaller studios and more niche projects struggle to secure funding, leaving them vulnerable in a competitive landscape.

Despite this precarious situation, Harmonium stands as a beacon of hope, defying the prevailing trends. The Odd Gentlemen’s commitment to authenticity, coupled with the unwavering support of Xbox and Netflix, has paved the way for a game that breaks the mold and celebrates the joy of diversity. "We all just did it one step at a time," Korba conceded. "And everyone’s like, ‘How did you get here?’ I don’t really know."

Harmonium: The Musical is a poignant reminder that diversity and inclusion, when executed with authenticity and empathy, enrich the gaming landscape, crafting games that resonate deeply with players. The developers’ willingness to embrace the challenges and complexities of authentic representation has resulted in a game that is both fun and poignant, a testament to the power of inclusion.

"We’re not just building a game for deaf people," Daigle signed, "but a game that is fun and engaging for everybody."

Harmonium: The Musical is set to launch in early 2025 on Netflix and Xbox Game Pass, promising an immersive and heartwarming experience for players of all backgrounds. This game holds the potential to pave the way for a more inclusive and diverse future in gaming, one where stories that celebrate difference and unique perspectives take center stage. The journey of Harmonium is a powerful reminder that authentic representation is not just a trend; it is a fundamental necessity in creating a gaming landscape that truly resonates with the world we live in.

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