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WoU, Who?

Meet our personal professor, Kenneth ‘Rico’ Norwood—A WoU Writer, Researcher, and Really Good Gamer.

PEOPLE
GAME

4 MINS READ

Virtual Reality Experience

DATE

DECEMBER 17, 2024

AUTHOR

Kenneth Norwood

Dr. Kenneth (Rico) Norwood, is a film and video game scholar, specializing in Black Queer Art and media studies. A leading voice in top publications, they excel as a content strategist and developer.

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“My name is Dr. Rico, and my background is in video games and media. During my time in London, I was on the lookout for new opportunities, and a wonderful organisation called Black Brown Berlin posted an opening for narrative writers. Little did I know that I was applying to work for my first digital media and video game company, and here I am.”

This was Dr. Rico's first foray into the digital media and video game industry, and it would prove to be a pivotal moment in their career. “As far as my education goes, I attended the historically Black college Xavier University of Louisiana, Long Island University Brooklyn Campus for my Master's, and Southampton University for my doctorate. I’ve always loved video games and would say they’ve been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. I once had to sell my Xbox to pay for student housing, and it was the first time I had to exist without games. I got it back after the second semester, though.” Now, that’s what we call dedication to education.

 

Currently, they are deeply involved in developing content for our digital platforms, particularly focusing on segments surrounding the World of Us game. Their role is multifaceted, encompassing everything from pitching and scriptwriting to shooting content and workshopping new ideas with our vast team of experts and creators. This work is not just about creating content, but about weaving narratives that resonate with the guardians of young people and makes our work accessible to even more people around the world.

 

“Kids today are learning in new ways, and games are one of them. This concept is not new, but it is becoming a bigger part of how youth develop both in and outside the classroom. Games have the ability to capture concepts that may seem distant and complex and can show learners, rather than simply telling them, what things are.” Games have the unique ability to demystify complex concepts by allowing learners to experience and interact with them, rather than simply being told about them. “There is a wealth of work that suggests gamification can educate youth. This idea can be found in collections like Woke Gaming, particularly around gaming and the concept of it being a form of activism and, therefore, more than just entertainment.”

 

“The most exciting...