ABSTRACT
The ultimate piece of advice that should be followed by all employers, event organisers, and game developers is to hire consultants. However, ‘tech and games are naturally male-dominated fields’. In fact, women’s enrolment in computer science and information technology degrees were following a steady, rising trajectory until 1984 – just as marketing companies began to suggest that ‘computers and videogames are boys’ toys’. Diversity consultants are able to look at the workplace, event, or game, and provide specific advice to ensure that it is inclusive and accessible. Events dedicated to diversity in the games industry suffer from difficulty acquiring sponsors because of the fear that funding an inclusive event is making a political statement; financially supporting these events helps highlight the importance of diversity in games.
