Celebrating Black History Month in 2026!

Celebrate Black History Month!

As we step into Black History Month 2026, we take time to celebrate the stories, achievements, and cultural impact of Black communities around the world. This month invites us to learn, reflect, and recognize the history that continues to shape our world. It’s also an opportunity to highlight the incredible voices within our own KingsIsle community. Join us as we honor this year’s Black History Month theme and shine the spotlight on one of our very own game designers: Dominic La Maison.

Learn More About How to Celebrate Black History Month!

At KingsIsle Entertainment, we believe Black History month is more than a celebration, it’s an important opportunity to reflect, honor, and grow as a community. Each year, The Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH) selects a theme that highlights significant achievements, histories, and narratives within the Black experience. This year’s theme, “A Century of Black History Commemorations,” marks a powerful milestone. For 100 years, ASALH has led the nation in recognizing and preserving Black history through research, education, and cultural celebration.

To learn more about “A Century of Black History Commemorations,” please visit 2026 Black History Theme: A Century of Black History Commemorations.

Meet our Featured Game Designer: Dominic La Maison

In recognizing the 2026 observance, we celebrate the remarkable achievements and lasting influence of Black individuals who continue to shape our world for the better.  Within our KingsIsle family, we’re also proud to uplift the voices and stories that bring creativity, inspiration, and depth to the games we create.

Today we’re proud to spotlight Game Designer, Dominic La Maison, better known as Stormbringer. From community member to developer, Dom shares the story of his journey into the game industry and how his identity as a Black creator has shaped his experiences along the way.

Can you tell us about your path into game design and what led you to join KingsIsle? 

“My path into game design is a little more unorthodox as I joined the team after being a fan of Wizard101 and Pirate101 for a number of years. I am an avid player and contributed heavily to fan sites Duelist101 and Finalbastion as a writer and editor while also writing and debating on Wizard101Central and the official forums. This is how I ended up meeting Ben Durbin/Ratbeard while I also maintained correspondence with other members of the crew such as Tom Purdue and Kayly Ginsberg. Despite having no prior game dev experience- my extensive knowledge of the games and deep interest in the mechanics and systems of the game allowed me to pursue a remote internship position when the opportunity arose. The rest is history!”

What inspired you to pursue a career in game development? 

“I have the privilege of being one of the few folks lucky enough to work on the games they actively play and love. Wizard101 and Pirate101 are huge parts of my life, and the opportunity to add to the legacy of these great games is really what inspires me in this career.” 

Were there any pivotal moments or mentors that helped shape your journey? 

“I have had so many great mentors throughout the years. Matthew Fahey was the systems designer who taught me when I was an intern and his design lessons as well as tips and tricks guide me to this day. Ben Durbin challenges me to develop new skills and examine/reexamine habits and assumptions. Plus, he’s a greatdebate foil as well! Artie Rogers has a unique way of attacking problems that I admire, and he also can deconstruct and reconstruct systems with a level of detail I can only hope to approach in the future.”

What does Black History Month mean to you personally and professionally? 

“The celebration of life is a key aspect of Black culture that sticks with me. I was raised in Guyana and like many Caribbean people I have both Black and Indian heritage. One of the celebrations there’s is Mashrimani where all the cultures come together to share in food, dance and music. Black History Month is a way to both remember where we come from and celebrate where we are today.” 

How important is representation in games, both behind the scenes and in the worlds you create? 

“Representation is best expressed through the ideas and perspectives different people bring to the table. While there is an understated impact in seeing yourself represented in media- it is also expressed in the things you discuss as well as experiences and history that are unique to your culture and yourself. All that expresses itself through the work you do and the worlds you create. It helps to create a rich tapestry that lets players experience something new.” 

What are some of your favorite projects or features that you’ve worked on for Wizard101 or Pirate101? 

“This is like asking who your favorite child is. I tend to find enjoyment in whatever I do- even the little things. More recent projects I enjoy include being able to work on Pirate101 first level increase in close to a decade and the Mortal Plains in Darkmoor. One of the little things I like that I was able to influence was the reference to Perry the Platypus in Lemuria or the existence of lore tablets in raids.”

How do you balance creativity with gameplay systems when designing for long-running games like these? 

“It’s always an interesting line to walk. Games like Wizard101 and Pirate101 inspire a lot of nostalgia, and a lot of people really care about these games. Keeping the spirit of the game in mind is important when introducing new features and we try to allow players to opt-in to the experience they prefer when we can. Community feedback is also an important part of this as it helps us keep in touch with how our updates are being received.” 

Where do you draw inspiration from when designing new things? 

“Inspiration can come from anywhere! I’ve been inspired by life experiences, media that resonated with me, or conversations I’ve had with friends and family. I’ve even been inspired by art and ideas from the Wizard101 and Pirate101 community.” 

What challenges have you faced in the gaming industry, and how have you navigated them? 

“The biggest challenge for me is balancing the duality of thinking as a player vs thinking as a designer. Seeking other perspectives helps me to keep grounded. Reexamining older design decisions with new eyes and being to break down my own motivations and perspectives is also a vital part of maintaining this balance.” 

Are there any skills or experiences you think are especially valuable for breaking into game development? 

“That really depends on your specialty. The game industry is interesting in that it needs many different people with many different skills to function. We have artists, sound designers, writers, engineers, community managers, etc. Each of these requires completely different skill sets, so there are several ways to get into game dev if you have an interest. That being said- for design itself- I think cultivating your curiosity and critical thinking will serve you well.” 

What progress have you seen in the industry regarding diversity and inclusion? 

“I am relatively new to the industry myself, so I don’t have much for a point of comparison. However, one of the cool things that has resulted from more awareness is new stories and new experiences that we can depict in our games.” 

What advice would you give to aspiring game designers, especially Black students interested in the industry? 

“The best advice I can give is to find a community of like-minded individuals- people who love games and who make them. From there you’ll learn, make connections, and find opportunities.” 

Big thanks to Dom for opening up and sharing his story and perspective. His journey is a powerful reminder that creativity and diverse voices make our community stronger. During Black History Month and beyond, we’re committed to amplifying more voices and building a future where every player and creator feels recognized, valued, and inspired.

Government & Organization Resources 

February may be when Black History Month occurs, but it’s ALWAYS a good time to celebrate and educate ourselves on the meaning behind it and its impact. Below are resources that we encourage you to look into this month, or any month! 

Library of Congress – Black History Month (blackhistorymonth.gov) 
A central hub for Black History Month resources, featuring exhibits, historical archives, and educational materials from multiple U.S. institutions. 

National Archives – African American Heritage (https://www.archives.gov/research/african-americans) 
Explore primary source documents, records, and research guides on African American history in the U.S. 

African American History from the National Park Service (https://www.nps.gov/subjects/africanamericanheritage/index.htm) 
Learn about historical sites, landmarks, and key figures in African American history through the National Park Service. 

Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH) (asalh.org) 
Founded by Dr. Carter G. Woodson, ASALH promotes the study and celebration of African American history and created Black History Month. 

National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) (naacp.org) 
One of the leading civil rights organizations in the U.S., advocating for racial justice, education, and equality. 

With Love,  

The KingsIsle Team