WHAT DOES
That’s a question that’s often asked of the organisation, according to its CEO Dr Marie-Claire Isaaman. In answer, here she highlights the recent Women in Games Careers, Development & Networking Expo, a virtual event that saw over 1,600 registrations from around the world. She discusses the impact that events and
initiatives like this are having on women and allies – while also underlining the challenges that the not-for-profit organisation is currently facing…
W
omen in Games has a clear purpose, vision and mission along with a set of key priorities. They hold true and are as important as ever—but how we deliver on those in a
whirlwind of change is a challenge. The world is in the midst of a rapid transformative shift right now…
economic shifts, technological advancements, and political instability sadly threaten to deepen gender disparities. It was in direct response to this shifting landscape that we recently
delivered our Women in Games Career, Development and Networking Expo—an event designed to directly support girls and women during this period of immense change. With themes centred on Change, Adaptability, and the Entrepreneurial Mindset, the event spotlighted the tools and attitudes necessary to not only survive but thrive. It was a vibrant demonstration of how our community can come together to forge paths forward and collectively influence the future of the games industry. It saw a record 1,647 individuals register from across the globe,
united in their shared passion for games and desire to grow, connect, and lead in an ever-evolving industry.
WHO JOINED US – AND WHAT THEY SAID Polls conducted throughout the day gave a snapshot of our global, engaged, and ambitious audience: • Attendees joined from across the globe, with the majority from Europe (65.8%), followed by North America (18.3%) and Asia (11.6%).
• 42% were actively job seeking, with another 20% employed but exploring new opportunities.
When asked what excites them most in games: • Art & Design led the way (39.7%) • Project Management & Production (19.1%) • Development & Coding (12.1%) And when it comes to values and challenges: • Commitment to diversity and inclusion is a major factor for 87% when considering a role. • The top challenge in job hunting? Finding opportunities that match their skills (54.2%).
30 | MCV/DEVELOP April/May 2025
DO…?
• Most valued for professional growth: A supportive, inclusive work environment (34.2%) and upskilling opportunities (29.6%). • And what did people value most about the event? Networking, of course – cited by 38% of participants, followed by learning and inspiration. The personal impact of work like this cannot be overstated. One attendee of the Careers Expo shared on LinkedIn: “This conference gave me the courage to stop waiting for the ‘perfect moment’ and just go for it. I’ve already reached out to two mentors, pitched my game idea, and feel more connected to a community that gets it. It’s made me believe I actually have a place in this industry.” That moment of connection, confidence, and activation is exactly
what Women in Games is here to create. The fact is… women risk being excluded from emerging industries,
leadership roles, and financial opportunities not due to a lack of talent or ambition, but because of systemic barriers, entrenched biases, restricted access to resources, and resistance from those who benefit from the status quo. In the face of this rather bleak picture, I think it’s important to take a
proactive, pragmatic approach to considering the problem. What’s the challenge? And what can we collectively do about it? In fact, Women in Games has taken this approach to all the work it has engaged with. So, the question is: Will those in power across the world embrace a
more just and inclusive future, or will they cling to outdated systems that no longer serve society? If it’s the latter, we do have a fight on our hands! We must focus on the exciting possibilities for women to thrive
across industries, influence global decisions, and share power equitably. Resistance and change are possible, but they require action.
Without intentional intervention—through policy, education, and accountability women will continue to be sidelined, possibly even further during this period of transformation. And we cannot let that happen. Let’s work together to ensure that the future of this industry—and
beyond—is one where women are given an equal seat at the table and don’t just participate, but lead, innovate, and thrive. Over the past 15 years, Women in Games has evolved from a
UK-based grassroots initiative into a globally recognised not- for-profit, with a network of over 2,400 Ambassadors across 73 countries. We deliver a broad range of events and initiatives, and are sector experts—researching and publishing The Women in Games Guide: Building a Fair Playing Field, the first of its kind. Our work has contributed to meaningful progress in industry culture, workforce diversity, and international collaboration. In challenging times, our role is more vital than ever. We’ve recently launched the #SmallDonationsBigImpact campaign—your support is crucial to continuing this work.
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54
