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WE CAN’T AFFORD TO STEP BACK ON INCLUSION


By Liz Prince MBE, Business Manager at Amiqus, Founder of G Into Gaming, and Co-Founder of Empower Up


O


ver the last year, many of us who care deeply about EDI have watched with growing concern as public


discourse around these issues has become increasingly hostile. Across the Atlantic, we have seen organisations scaling back EDI initiatives in response to political pressure. Closer to home, debates around the future of equality and inclusion policies have also raised concerns. At the same time, the rise of the so-called ‘anti-woke’ agenda has created an environment where efforts to make workplaces fairer and more inclusive are sometimes portrayed as unnecessary, divisive or even harmful. For those of us working to build a better games industry, it can feel like a discouraging moment. Yet while the debate rages on, the reality within our sector reminds us why this work remains so important. We continue to see reports of workplace harassment and discrimination. Conversations around crunch and unhealthy working practices have not gone away.


These challenges should not be ignored. But neither should they define our industry. Because despite the setbacks and headlines, I firmly believe that the industry wants to be a great place to work. Every day, we see individuals and organisations working tirelessly to create opportunities, support underrepresented talent and improve workplace culture. Organisations such as Women in Games, Out Making Games and Into Games are helping to broaden access to careers and ensure more people can see


34 | MCV/DEVELOP July/August 2026


themselves reflected within our industry. Meanwhile, groups such as Safe In Our World and The Pause Collective provide invaluable support around mental health and wellbeing.


“There is no


shortage of passion, commitment or expertise within games when it comes to making positive change.”


There is no shortage of passion, commitment or expertise within games when it comes to making positive change. The challenge is often knowing where to start.


Many studios, particularly smaller indie teams, genuinely want to improve diversity, inclusion and employee wellbeing. They understand that creating welcoming workplaces is not only the right thing to do but also makes business sense. There is strong evidence that diverse teams build better products, attract wider audiences and drive greater innovation. However, good intentions alone are not always enough.


Not every studio has a dedicated HR


professional. Not every founder knows how to review recruitment practices, create inclusive


At Amiqus, we have many resources available to help, so please do get in touch via


liz.prince@amiqus.com


policies or build a culture where everyone can thrive. For many teams, the question is not whether they want to make progress, but how. That is precisely why we launched Empower Up - to provide practical, actionable guidance that studios can implement regardless of their size, budget or level of experience. Rather than overwhelming organisations with theory, the platform focuses on helping teams take meaningful steps forward. And this is only the beginning. We are


now preparing to enter the next phase of Empower Up. This next chapter will bring even more voices from across the industry together to share advice, best practice and real-world case studies. We want to showcase the experiences of studios, leaders and professionals who are driving positive change and creating environments where people can succeed. Empower Up is open to everyone, and we actively welcome contributions from across the industry.


At a time when some voices are calling for equality and inclusion efforts to be scaled back, the industry has an opportunity to demonstrate leadership. We can choose to continue moving forward. We can choose to learn from one another. And we can choose to build an industry that reflects the creativity, diversity and talent of the players we serve.


The work is not finished. In many ways, it


is more important than ever. But by working together, we can help ensure that games remains an industry where everyone has the opportunity to belong and thrive.


Find out more at www.empower-up.com


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