THE FUTURE’S BRIGHT With all the challenges our industry faces, there’s still a diverse range of people hoping to join our ranks. What advice does our panel have for the female game professionals of tomorrow? “Come on in!” says Adcock. “There is a strong
community of women who can support you, whether this is within your company, or one of the many women in games groups that have formed over the years. “The Women in Games Awards was a
groundbreaking experience for me when it first launched and completely rocked my world. I wish it was monthly!” “For those seeking to have a career in this
great industry: find a mentor - either a teacher, a friend, someone in the business or even someone who isn’t, who can dedicate some time, behaves in a way you admire and is direct and honest with you,” adds O’Connor. “The most important thing as a new starter in
the industry is to never be afraid to ask questions and take your time! Don’t compare yourself to others and where they are, each of us has our own path to forge and we each move at a different pace.
Headline sponsor Women In Games Awards 2022
Veronica Heath Diversity & Inclusion Lead at Rare
What is the appeal of sponsoring the Women in Games Awards, especially in 2022? At Rare, we have an important role to play to acknowledge and celebrate the fantastic achievements of women working in games. This last year served as a stark reminder that important work around culture in our industry must continue, so women feel safe and work in respectful environments in which they can thrive. The Women in Games Awards is an important platform for us to support that motivation and we’re over the moon to return as Lead Sponsor for 2022. We look forward to reading all the nominations and award those who have excelled in their field of expertise!
How important is it to Rare that the studio supports the efforts of women working in the games industry? As Rare’s D&I Lead, my belief is that for us to be an inclusive games company, we should support the efforts and ambitions of women in games across the UK. Whether that’s through thriving careers to encouraging younger folks to consider careers in games. Our commitment to this work is fundamental to our mission to create the kind of games the world doesn’t have. We want our games to be representative of the players that play them, as well as create teams that build games with diverse perspectives. We hope these awards go a long way to making women feel represented in our industry, as well as celebrated and recognized for their achievements.
Are there any particular award categories you feel are especially relevant to the industry right now, or to Rare itself? Each award is incredibly important to call out! However, I am most looking forward to seeing both the Rising Star and the Career Mentor of the Year. The Rising Star serves as a great example of some of the incredible talent we have rising through the ranks in gaming, and a fantastic opportunity to reward those who are at a pivotal point in their career. Working as a mentor, or with schools and education, is often not a part of a typical games developer’s job description. As a result, it takes passion and enthusiasm for people in our industry to go out and facilitate this. For that reason, I am excited to see the nominees and award winner for the Career Mentor of the Year!
“Being ambitious is fantastic, but also, be
curious and be eager to learn. This represents a desire to grow and gives you an opportunity to learn from the amazing people around you. Above all, be yourself. Don’t worry about ticking boxes, I urge you to create new boxes.” Industry awards, however much we may
enjoy them, will of course not end the industry’s mistreatment of women. There is broader, more important work to be done. However, we feel it is important to, every now
and then, appreciate that we are at the very least heading in the right direction – and to thank the women around us who are making that possible, and working to make the industry a better and more welcoming place. While there is much to be done, we should at
least be able to take the time to thank women from across the industry, and thank them for making the games industry a better place to work.
February 2022 MCV/DEVELOP | 19
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