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8. November 2023

Maria Maunula – Womenize! – Inspiring Stories

Womenize! – Inspiring Stories is our weekly series featuring inspirational women from games and tech. For this edition we talked to Maria Maunula, Senior Lead Producer at Rovio. She speaks about the importance of providing fresh perspectives, her background in community management and shares advice for individuals seeking a similar career path. Read more about Maria in this interview:
Hi Maria! Looking back on your career journey, what would you say has been the most unexpected or surprising turn of events that significantly impacted your professional growth and direction?

Looking back, there’s this ‘aha’ moment that now seems both silly and incredibly sensible. It took a while to sink in that I didn’t have to be a master of every code snippet or brushstroke in game development. As a producer and lead, my job isn’t to be the expert in every domain, but to foster growth in the talented individuals who bring our games to life. Understanding their roles is crucial for effective support, but my craft is a different shade of the spectrum. It’s about providing fresh perspectives and pushing boundaries. Together, we forge compromises, make informed decisions, and chart our course forward. Leadership role requires constant learning and I need to stay in my lane to be there for the others.

As a Game Producer, could you describe your creative process and approach to improving existing games while maintaining player satisfaction?

I like to imagine my approach as a spiderweb, with each strand representing a crucial aspect. There’s one for our team’s aspirations, another for business objectives, a strand for market trends, and one for the balance between innovation and proven methods. Everything converges at the heart – the user experience.

To truly understand what players want and need, we must study them, ask questions, and genuinely listen to their feedback. It’s about comprehending why they choose to invest their valuable time in our game. With these hypotheses in hand, we align them with other needs, prioritize, scope, and lay out the roadmap that propels us forward, aiming for outstanding results, and at the very least, invaluable insights to carry with us.

How did your background in areas like customer care and community management contribute to your success as a producer, and what advice do you have for individuals looking to make similar transitions?

Before diving into the gaming world, I cut my teeth in customer service and sales, ranging from porcelain toilets to top-of-the-line cameras. The trick for me was identifying which skills were applicable in my new roles. Sales, in particular, turned out to be a huge asset. It boils down, once again, to understanding the customer’s needs. It’s about dissecting the need or problem, offering solutions that benefit both the end user and the company behind the product. Acting as a bridge between these parties, and providing insights on how we can tailor our solutions to match user needs, was crucial. And, perhaps most importantly, truly comprehending the ‘whys’ behind user feedback, not just echoing what they say.
 When it comes to making a transition like this, my advice would be to:

  • Prioritize Transferable Skills:
    List and prioritize skills from previous roles that align with the new position.
  • Emphasize Learning:
    Highlight skills you’re eager to learn, showcasing your commitment to growth.
  • Align Interests:
    Focus on areas of interest that naturally complement the role you’re applying for.

This approach demonstrates a seamless integration of your background with the requirements of the new role, making you a standout candidate.

Thanks for this interview, Maria!

Maria’s links: LinkedIn

Womenize! – Inspiring Stories Feature by Madeleine Egger

1. November 2023

Julia Hiltscher – Womenize! – Inspiring Stories

Womenize! – Inspiring Stories is our weekly series featuring inspirational women from games and tech. For this edition we talked to Julia Hiltscher, Founding Board Member at Esports Research Network. She speaks about valuable lessons from esports and traditional sports, her vision for inclusivity and sustainability and how she’s actively shaping a brighter future. Read more about Julia in this interview:
Hi Julia! You’ve had a truly remarkable journey, from coding games at the age of 6 to pro gaming to becoming a pioneer in CSR (Corporate Social Respon-sibility) in the esports industry. Are there any crossovers or valuable lessons you’ve taken from your gaming experiences into your CSR work?

Valuable lessons from my experiences in both esports and traditional sports, such as discipline, self-care, teamwork, and the drive for excellence, have significantly influenced my work in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). These lessons have empowered me to consistently enhance inclusivity in esports, as seen through initiatives like the Iron Lady Series and GGFORALL.

Your dedication to inclusivity, diversity, and sustainability in the esports industry is evident throughout your career. Could you share some specific moments or initiatives that have been particularly fulfilling or transformative in your quest to make esports more inclusive and responsible?

Throughout my career, I’ve remained dedicated to promoting inclusivity, diversity, and sustainability in the esports industry. Some notable milestones include the establishment of initiatives like ESL Impact, an esports league for women, and my active involvement in the Equal Esports Initiative, providing scholarships for women and non-binary players. These endeavors directly address issues like toxicity and the lack of representation of women and non-binary individuals in certain esports spaces such as Counter-Stike.

Additionally, I take pride in my work tracking emissions and creating a comprehensive plan for ESL Faceit Group’s emissions reduction, aiming for carbon neutrality by 2030. I’m currently authoring a climate-focused book for the gaming industry, collaborating on EU-funded climate projects, and teaching esports and sustainability at esteemed universities, such as Fresenius and the University of Uppsala.

These experiences, particularly teaching and learning from emerging talents, are immensely fulfilling. I also offer management consulting services to businesses seeking to transition towards comprehensive sustainability across all aspects of their operations

In your role as a lecturer, what are the key messages or lessons you aim to impart to students and how do you see the younger generation of esports professionals contributing to a more responsible and sustainable industry in the future?

As a lecturer, I endeavor to convey essential messages about integrity, inclusivity, and sustainability in esports to my students. I emphasize that success in the industry transcends winning games; it revolves around promoting ethical values, embracing diversity, and championing CSR.

I firmly believe that the younger generation of esports professionals holds the power to lead the industry towards greater responsibility and sustainability. I stress the importance of speaking positively about tangible actions and maintaining a healthy work-life balance to facilitate change. Many companies today only claim to offer a nurturing environment for teamwork, learning, and development, some companies engage in greenwashing. I advocate for a shift towards an economy that prioritizes people and the planet over profit and shareholders. If a company doesn’t align with this vision, I encourage my students to consider it a red flag and seek opportunities in organizations committed to sustainability or even embark on their journey to establish sustainable ventures.

The future belongs to those who are bold, creative, purpose-driven, and value-oriented, and together, we can boldly shape a sustainable future by believing in our mission.

Thanks for this interview, Julia!

Julia’s links: LinkedIn

Womenize! – Inspiring Stories Feature by Madeleine Egger

25. October 2023

Jenny Harder – Womenize! – Inspiring Stories

Womenize! – Inspiring Stories is our weekly series featuring inspirational women from games and tech. For this edition we talked to Jenny Harder, Senior Concept Artist at Karakter. She speaks about her evolution in artistic storytelling, reflects on directing her own animated short film and tells us why she became an instructor. Read more about Jenny in this interview:
Hi Jenny! With over a decade of experience in art direction, visual devel-opment, and concept art for animation and games, how has your approach to artistic storytelling evolved over the years? Are there any specific projects that significantly influenced your artistic style or approach to visual development?

I think one of my main learning curves was understanding that research is actually the most important part of any good design process. Nowadays I spend a lot of time writing character sheets and defining the personality of a character that I am designing. It assures that your character has actual depth and credibility. I often ask myself “would my character really wear this?” or “what is their mood on this day and how does it affect expression and posture?”.
I started thinking more about this when I worked on my short film “Being Good” and started teaching at universities. You see a lot of great artworks that students do, but sometimes they lack a story or intention. I teach a lot of courses now that emphasize visual storytelling and the importance of developing ‘not just a character – but a personality’.

Can you share some insights into your journey directing your own animated short film “Being Good”? What inspired you to take on this creative leadership role, and what did you learn from the experience?

I have been working in games for a long time, but I have always had great passion for animated films. I found out however, that transitioning from one industry to another is pretty hard if you don’t have any experience in making films. After a lot of rejection emails I decided that I had to ‘create this experience myself’ which is when I started ‘Being Good’. I very much enjoyed the process of building a team, defining the stylistic vision and even taking on a producer role during the project. It was a lot of hard work, but I learned more than any course could have ever taught me. I experienced the whole animation pipeline first hand, made valuable connections and finally, I was offered an art director position in animation after my short film was released.
I think that it’s often these kinds of passion projects that lead to the greatest achievements and opportunities in our career as artists.

As an instructor at various art, game schools and universities. What motivated you to share your knowledge and expertise with aspiring artists, and what do you believe are the most crucial skills and insights you can pass on to the next generation of artists and game developers?

I have always loved working in teams. There is a certain energy and passion to creating something together. I participated in a lot of game jams at the start of my career as well as countless art events, where I received a lot of valuable feedback from other artists. This really helped me improve my art, but also taught me how important it is to show kindness and a willingness to support each other. I really wanted to be that person for someone else one day. That is why I eventually decided to start teaching, doing workshops and giving portfolio reviews at events.
I think our industry is a lot smaller than we think and we are destined to meet twice. The person next to you at university might be your art director one day. My advice would be: be kind, be supportive and let’s enjoy this journey together as a team, not competitors.

Thanks for this interview, Jenny!

Jenny’s links: LinkedIn, Portfolio

Womenize! – Inspiring Stories Feature by Madeleine Egger

18. October 2023

Nadine König – Womenize! – Inspiring Stories

Womenize! – Inspiring Stories is our weekly series featuring inspirational women from games and tech. For this edition we talked to Nadine König, Artist Management Lead at INSTINCT3. She speaks about the key principles that guided her journey as well as how intercultural communication comes handy when working with influencers. Read more about Nadine in this interview:
 
Hi Nadine! Can you share some key insights and lessons you’ve learned from managing and working with YouTubers and gaming influencers for almost a decade? How has the landscape evolved during your career?

Upon reading “almost a decade”, my initial reaction was one of disbelief: “Wait, no. This can’t be.” Yet, as I contemplate, it’s undeniable that I’ve been a part of this landscape for quite some time now. Reflecting on the past, there have been significant transformations in various aspects of this industry, and delving into all of them might be quite extensive.

In a broad sense, virtually every facet has witnessed a heightened level of professionalism, encompassing not only the influencers themselves but also their management, the ecosystems of the platform, and the marketing strategies by publishers and non-endemic clients. When I say “professionalism,” I’m referring to the structures, the systems and information, ensuring that everyone operates within similar parameters. This shift has been beneficial for everyone, providing greater certainty and reducing the prevailing chaos. Moreover, this era of professionalism has seen a multitude of influencers successfully create their own brands and establish companies within this ecosystem, cementing their presence in the industry.

When I think about lessons and insights, numerous thoughts come to mind. Ultimately, it all boils down to three key principles for me.

Firstly, this is a marathon, not a sprint. Whether you’re an influencer or working with them, it’s crucial to think long-term. Building meaningful relationships, understanding each other, and co-creating a brand takes time. This enduring commitment holds far more value than solely chasing quick financial gains.

Secondly, keep up with the change. The industry, platforms, and the entire ecosystem have changed so much in this relatively short period of time. For instance, YouTube Gaming Content has evolved from 30-minute Let’s Plays to 8-minute highly edited videos, and now to uncut videos lasting over an hour. Being able to adapt and inform your influencers about these shifts is essential, as the platforms will continue to evolve with or without you.

Lastly, embracing challenges, or as I like to put it, “embrace the suck,” may sound unconventional. However, looking back, I’ve realized that working through the ups and downs with the influencers I’ve partnered with has been crucial. There are times when games are in high demand, and views roll in effortlessly. But these times change. There are times when the influencers themselves get a lot of attention and followers naturally flock in, but these times change as well. And there are times when platform algorithms favor you, yet, inevitably, those times also change. During these downturns, I’ve found that working closely with my influencers, adapting, making necessary changes, and staying motivated together, has been the key. Acknowledging that challenging times are part of the journey and approaching them with the right mindset allows us to navigate through them and emerge even stronger on the other side.

Your academic background includes Japanese studies. How did this unique educational experience lead you into the world of artist management and influencer marketing?

At first glance, it might seem that there’s no connection between the two. My studies didn’t involve gaming or entertainment; instead, they were firmly rooted in the Japanese language and the cultural aspects of Japan.

But it was during my six-month stay in Tokyo, I rekindled my love for video games when American students brought their PS3. Watching them play reignited my passion for gaming, as I hadn’t played any games for years. I then began exploring Let’s Plays and the realm of gaming influencers, unlocking a whole new world to me.

When I returned to Germany, I made the decision to pursue a career in the games industry. I discovered the world of YouTube networks, which offered a gateway to working with influencers, and sparked a strong desire to find my way into this world.

And although it still may seem that those two worlds are not connected, my studies provided me with the profound understanding of intercultural communication. This skill became my guiding light, enabling me to adopt perspectives different from my own, something I’ve carried into my career. In my work, where I deal with a diverse range of people, this skill is priceless. The ability to accept and understand different points of view and belief systems ensures that people are truly heard and understood.

While my affection for Japan and the enriching experiences of my studies remain, my passion for games has ultimately taken over, guiding my career path.

Could you describe some of the responsibilities and challenges that come with being an Artist Management Lead and what aspects of this role do you find most rewarding?

In my current role, I lead a team consisting of Artist Managers, Project Managers, and employed Artists within the Artist Services Department, totaling 12 team members. Consequently, my responsibilities encompass ensuring the department’s success in terms of artist and employee satisfaction, as well as its financial well-being. I’m also engaged in refining our artist portfolio, identifying potential great additions, while also considering if there might be artists who are no longer an ideal fit. Our aim is to grow sustainably rather than exponentially.

I believe the most significant challenge lies in maintaining a comprehensive overview and tracking all departmental activities without resorting to micromanagement. Until a few months ago, I was still actively managing projects as part of the team. However, my role has now evolved to be exclusively focused on leadership. This transition was difficult and required a change of perspective. I had to become comfortable with not being privy to every detail of each project and instead embrace a new supportive role for my team.

In the midst of it all, there are certainly challenging days when numerous issues require attention, and things don’t always go according to plan. Nonetheless, what brings me the most joy is working with my team to overcome these hurdles. These days, I no longer fix these challenges myself; rather, I coach my team to empower them to solve issues on their own, fostering their sense of accomplishment. This is the most rewarding aspect of my job, and I am looking forward to witnessing their continued growth.

Thanks for this interview, Nadine!

Nadine’s links: LinkedIn

Womenize! – Inspiring Stories Feature by Madeleine Egger

11. October 2023

Miroslava Moreno Rodríguez – Womenize! – Inspiring Stories

Womenize! – Inspiring Stories is our weekly series featuring inspirational women from games and tech. For this edition we talked to Miroslava Moreno Rodríguez, Director, Organizational Development at PLAION. She speaks about how her background in Digital Arts and Systems Engineering shaped her unique leadership style as well as her passion for inclusion. Read more about Miroslava in this interview:
 
Hi Miroslava! It’s fascinating that you hold both a Master’s degree in Digital Arts and are a trained Systems Engineer. How have these diverse educational backgrounds influenced your career in empowering teams in game development and IT?

Spanning multiple countries and disciplines, my educational journey had two chapters that profoundly shaped my career to date.

The first chapter unfolded in Venezuela, where I earned my bachelor’s degree in Systems Engineering. This provided me with a strong foundation in technical problem-solving and strategic thinking. It landed me my first job at Microsoft and had a profound influence in my approach to team management. Just as complex engineering systems have component working in harmony to fulfil their purpose, I see teams as systems of individuals with different roles and strengths. I learnt the key role of communication, collaboration, purpose, and well-defined responsibilities within a team. The other chapter took place in Spain, where I obtained my master’s degree in Digital Arts. It was there where I immersed myself in the world of interaction, creativity, and innovation through the creation of interactive art installations. I gained insights into how experiences are crafted based on the level of empowerment given to individuals. It gave me a deep understanding of the value of unique perspectives.

These experiences were instrumental in shaping my leadership style. Throughout my career in the gaming industry, where I’ve led software development teams, video games development and publishing teams, and now as Director of Organizational Development, I’ve consistently approached team management by systematically empowering strengths and optimizing team dynamics.

Could you share a pivotal moment or decision in your professional journey that significantly shaped your approach to leadership and team empowerment?

I’m passionate about inclusion and championing people’s uniqueness. This is something I realized at the beginning of my career in video games while supporting job interviews.

A team leader once invited me to join him in interviewing candidates for a software developer position. During the process, I saw seasoned candidates who completed tasks correctly being disqualified because they couldn’t communicate their results effectively within the interview format. I realized the talent my company was missing out on and who I was missing to work with because our hiring processes were not adapted to be more welcoming of neurodivergent candidates.

This experience became a pivotal moment for me. It awakened a critical eye within me regarding every aspect of people processes and drew my attention to the importance of making them welcoming and empowering. My approach to leadership is rooted in the principles of inclusion and realignment of structures, talents, reward systems, and processes to enhance capabilities and efficiencies. These principles are at the core of my current role in Organizational Development.

What’s a valuable lesson or piece of advice you would give to someone aspiring to follow a similar career path in leadership within the tech and gaming industries?

I want to encourage more women to pursue careers in gaming and tech fields to create a more balanced and equitable industry. My passion for games and the people who create games continues to grow; however, I can not help but to acknowledge that in many areas, this industry still predominantly consists of exclusively male environments.

In my current role, I hold the position of the first female director in a German-Austrian company with a history spanning three decades. While for some, this might appear as a privileged position, it is a daily commitment for me to be the change I want to see.

So, my advice goes to all female-identifying individuals aspiring to follow a similar career path in leadership within the tech and gaming industry: never forget that your experiences, knowledge, and insights are precisely what makes you invaluable and what is missing in the industry. It’s you who is needed to co-create the world we desire, the games we want to play, and workplaces we want to have. Invest in self-awareness and emotional intelligence so that you can harness your unique power and overcome any obstacle on your journey to making leadership in gaming a viable and exciting career path.

Thanks for this interview, Miroslava!

Miroslava’s links: LinkedIn

Womenize! – Inspiring Stories Feature by Madeleine Egger

16. November 2022

Casey Thomas – Womenize! – Inspiring Stories

Womenize! – Inspiring Stories is our weekly series featuring inspirational women from games and tech. For this edition we talked to Casey Thomas, Founder of Dark Shadow Studio & Indie Esports. In our interview, she speaks about new ideas for competitive games to successfully launch. Read more about Casey in this interview:
 
Hi Casey! What makes Dark Shadow Studio’s games innovative and different from others?

We’re not building a game to throw into a store and hope for the best – we’d get lost with the other 50+ thousand games that are also trying to be seen. We’re specifically building “Drone Legion” with competitive esports in mind, so we can push the game to global recognition and bring in a new title amongst the triple-A games.

Unfortunately, there is nowhere for “esport” games to be seen, so I’m also creating a competitive esports platform called Indie Esports for “Drone Legion” (and others) to be uploaded to for the competitive players, fans and bridge the games and esports industries.

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How do you ensure a newly built up IP will be successful?

Unfortunately, there’s no real guarantee that a game will succeed – some have all the hype but fall short with the public and others are found in random ways and then have a few months of fame but then are soon forgotten (in the mass population).

Especially in esports, it’s mostly “League of Legends”, “Fortnite”, “CS:GO”, “Dota 2” etc. that are being showcased and played at esport events (locally and globally) and being pushed in schools. BUT there is so much of a skill gap and these games have been around for years (great games don’t get me wrong) but let’s bring new life into the industry and give players more of an equal opportunity to reach their esport potential. Let’s give these amazing games a chance to become an international success and let’s give fans a solid platform to go to watch their favourite games, players, clubs and influencers grow and easily be found!

Indie Esports was recently globally nominated and is a new pathway that could help competitive games have more success upon launch and form structural foundations for future generations of games and esports.

Expressions of interest are now open! Please spread the word and sign up here: https://www.indieesport.com

Can you recommend any platforms, events or contact points that can help women to get into esports gaming?
  1. IGEA – https://igea.net
  2. Making Games – https://aie.edu.au
  3. Facebook (search for game developer/gaming groups)
  4. Discord (search for game developer/gaming groups)
  5. PAX (this is a global event) – https://www.paxsite.com
  6. Contact me on LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/casey-thomas-games-esports
  7. Women in Games – https://www.womeningames.org
  8. Sarah Moran – https://girlgeekacademy.com
Thanks for this interview, Casey!

Womenize! – Inspiring Stories Feature by Sophie Brugmann

9. November 2022

Jennifer Estaris – Womenize! – Inspiring Stories

Womenize! – Inspiring Stories is our weekly series featuring inspirational women from games and tech. For this edition we talked to Jennifer Estaris, Game Director at ustwo games. She shares how we can make our industry more sustainable and where we can find mentorship support. Read more about Jennifer in this interview:
 
Hi Jennifer! Do you have advice for gaming studios that would like to work in a sustainable and climate friendly manner?

I’ll start with one of my favorite heart beats (essentially, beats that live in my heart), by the venerable Maya Angelou: “I did then what I knew how to do. Now that I know better, I do better.”

First of all, congratulations on being a part of a gaming studio that wants to do better. Lucky you! Lucky us. Lucky world. Thankfully, there are many paths to regenerative sustainability in games. The best is to join Playing for the Planet. It is a United Nations Environment Programme supported initiative, consisting of over 40 game studios and other organizations: Microsoft, Supercell, Rovio, SYBO, Ubisoft, ustwo games (where I work), and many others. Alliance members have made commitments ranging from integrating green activations in games via the inspiring Green Game Jam, reducing their emissions, and many other activities, like tree planting and reducing plastic in their products. For last year’s GGJ, I game directed Monument Valley 2’s DLC The Lost Forest, a special chapter which led to a petition about forest conservation. Playing for the Planet representatives like me have given talks about our mission all over the world, for example at SXSW and GDC. And we threw a good party! 

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Once your studio has joined Playing for the Planet and is ready for the next level of challenge, look into becoming a B Corp. The studio where I work, ustwo games, was recently certified as one. Fanfare! The B Corp certification is a designation that a business is meeting high standards of performance, accountability, and transparency on factors like employee benefits, charitable giving, and responsible supply chain practices. It’s a holistic approach to the sustainability issue, because the sustainability issue is about more than just the environment. It’s ultra-intersectional. It’s about a business’ total societal impact, not just the bottom line.

Individuals and smaller studios should also join the IGDA Climate Special Interest Group – we’re a friendly group with an active and fun Discord, run by the coolest founders (hi Paula and Hugo!), with monthly meetings that keep our community strong, informed and empowered. Also, go to our Discord for great gardening tips, in games but more so for the real world. Compost convos for days.

Besides joining these lovely organizations, internally you and your studio can start reflecting and seeing what you’d like to do first. Is it taking action in how your studio operates, such as composting coffee grounds or switching to a green energy supplier? Or do you want to look at who you partner with, whether it’s a socially responsible pension provider or consciously choosing an outsource partner in the Global South? Or is it in your games, from adding green nudges like renewable energy visuals in the game environment to integrating in-game activations that allow players to donate to climate justice causes or spend on real-life tree planting? ustwo games’ Alba: A Wildlife Adventure plants a tree for every download; so far we’ve planted over a million trees! 

Take it one step at a time, and as Games for Good founder Deborah Mensah-Bonsu recommends, identify at least one other person at the studio willing to walk that journey with you. To quote environmentalist David Orr, “Hope is a verb with its sleeves rolled up”. If we want to give the world hope, then we have lots to do – and shouldn’t do it alone.

Where do Game Design and Game Direction have connection points?

Such a pertinent question given that my team and I have been doing some 1:1 Roles & Responsibility conversations lately. Or as we’ve been calling them, Heart to Hearts. 

A Game Director is responsible for leading and communicating the vision of the game, both creatively and commercially, with a holistic eye that captures and elevates the interconnections between the various disciplines – art, design, tech, narrative, audio, production, etc. While my background is in Game Design, Game Directors can emerge from any discipline. Game Design focuses on the mechanics and content and should be enabled to have a zoomed in, micro view of the project, while the Game Director is more zoomed out. Game Direction and Game Design have some overlap, as does Game Direction and many other roles on the team. For us it’s about having a conversation, sharing our experience on the different roles, looking at role descriptions, and digging into what we are interested in exploring and why. Further reflection though, and maybe the answer to your question is: Game Direction is the connection point between all the disciplines, one of which is Game Design. 

Specifically on our team, I would like to share the indirect connection points the Lead Game Designer, Emily Brown, and I have: We are both mothers with daughters who skateboard. We are from underrepresented backgrounds – very different backgrounds, but it lets us see the value that diversity provides. We love tortang talong, a Filipino eggplant dish. We both want to have a positive impact in the world. 

Throughout your career, did you come across any outstanding mentorship programs, events or tools that supported your personal development?

When I first joined the industry, almost 20 years ago, there weren’t anywhere near as many personal development avenues as there are today. There was always the IGDA, especially with their various scholarship programs and Special Interest Groups which have blossomed to cover many important topics, from Climate to Women to Indigenous Advocacy Awareness to Accessibility to more. Game conferences were essential to my growth, and you don’t only have to go to the big ones like GDC – small local events like NYC’s Game Devs of Color Expo (which isn’t so small anymore) and Games for Change (also no longer small) were and continue to be great. 

These conferences had sessions that lit fires, sparked imagination, and updated knowledge, followed by equally important networking events that expanded my network (and friendships!) (most importantly the friendships!). Informal, organic mentor-friend-ships were formed, and for those I am eternally grateful. Being an ambassador for Women In Games continues to help me develop as a leader, as does participating in, and sometimes instigating, Playing for the Planet’s various activities. 

For solo work, reading is fundamental. Here are some I’d like to recommend, in hopes of leveling up the game industry’s impact skills: 

The Future We Choose (Christina Figueres and Tom Rivett-Carnac), Hope Matters (Elin Kelsey), Climate Change is Racist (Jeremy Williams), and Small World, Big Ideas (compiled by Sateesh Kumar). If you’re not a book person, read articles. Pocket Gamer. The Escapist. Game Developer. Deconstructor of Fun. Womenize!

Finally, play games. Games that help with personal development – and I mean personal. Games that help us connect more, become more empathic, become more reflective. An extremely brief list: Journey, Gone Home, Bury Me, My Love, and the very recently released on Netflix, ustwo games’ Desta: The Memories Between (we are hiring! Join us). Films do this, art does this, literature does this, sure, but it is games’ time to shine… and our time to shine through them. Take what you carry in your heart – and share it with the world.

Thanks for this interview, Jennifer!

Jennifer’s links: LinkedIn │ Twitter │ ustwo Games – official website │ Playing for the Planet

Womenize! – Inspiring Stories Feature by Sophie Brugmann

2. November 2022

Heidi Stapleton – Womenize! – Inspiring Stories

Womenize! – Inspiring Stories is our weekly series featuring inspirational women from games and tech. For this edition we talked to Heidi Stapleton, Senior Producer at Blowfish Studios. She speaks about the games industry in Australia and how a broad educational background can facilitate day-to-day work in production. Read more about Heidi in this interview:
 
Hi Heidi! Could you provide some insights into your tasks at Blowfish Studios and the indie game scene in Sydney?

Hi everyone! I’m a Senior Producer, working on the game “Phantom Galaxies”. Blowfish Studios’ HQ is based in Sydney, but I live in Melbourne and work in a fully remote capacity.  

In the broadest possible sense, I see my role as being the glue that keeps the team working together, progressing towards a shared technical and creative vision. I work closely with design, art, engineering and marketing to identify what needs to happen in order to achieve our goals. It’s important to me that the team is happy and able to do their very best work – I try to facilitate that. Therefore, a big part of my role involves resolving blockers so that development can continue unhindered. 

Having lived in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, I can safely say that the overall Australian scene is thriving. There’s a sense of community amongst Australian game devs; we help each other out, offer support and advice, share ideas…my experience, spanning 15 years now, has been really wholesome. 

I also admire the creative and technical risk-taking that takes place amongst local game developers. Aussie studios are unafraid to venture into more unconventional territory with their games.

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How did you find out Producing is the area of work you’d like to pursue professionally?

Honestly, I’d never considered game production as a profession growing up. After finishing two university degrees and still not knowing what career I wanted to pursue, I was told about an entry level vacancy at an Australian developer, Krome Studios – and that they were working on a “Star Wars” game. Helping to make a “Star Wars” game sounded incredibly exciting, and despite not having a clue what the game development process actually involved, I decided to apply. As luck would have it, I got the job! That’s how I got my start in the industry, and how I received my first game credit, as a Production Assistant on “Star Wars: The Force Unleashed” (on PS2, PSP, and Wii), back in 2008.

Playing a small part in helping to deliver a game that the public loved was thrilling. I also found that (thankfully!) game production utilized a lot of my inherent skills – such as being super well-organised, pragmatic, and having well-developed soft skills. I’m also a hard-wired problem-solver. Whenever presented with a blocker or a conflict, rather than freak out, my mind starts whirring with possible solutions (I blame “Zork” and all the other adventure games I was obsessed with as a kid in the 80’s).

That’s not to say my road to becoming a Producer was easy – there was definitely a steep learning curve. When I was first starting out in my career there were far fewer resources to turn to compared to now, and not much of an emphasis on mentorship. It was a long process of making mistakes and learning from them. Many mistakes. That said, if it wasn’t for the challenging and somewhat chaotic nature of game development I probably wouldn’t still be in the industry. I get a kick out of the fact that no two days are the same.

Do you feel your background in education, sociology and English literature have been helpful to lay the foundations for your career?

Well, both teaching and game production have been likened to herding cats, so perhaps the benefit of my education degree is the most obvious! However, I think it’s studying sociology that has had the greatest impact. It made me more empathetic to all the quirks of human behavior. This in turn has made me a more effective communicator, and better at building relationships. Dealing with lots of different people, and being understanding of their unique challenges, is a huge part of being a Producer.

When I began my game development career, I did regret earning qualifications that I didn’t end up needing – or at least, they weren’t requirements to get into the industry. I thought it had been a waste of time and energy. Upon reflection, and especially as I’ve grown older, it’s become evident that so much of what I learned at university has been useful in both my personal and professional life. It sounds super cliché, but all those lectures, books and spirited conversations helped shape me into the person I am today. I’d probably be very different had I not had those experiences.

Thanks for this interview, Heidi!

Heidi’s links: LinkedIn │ Blowfish Studios – official website │ Blowfish on Facebook │ Blowfish on Twitter │ Blowfish on Instagram │ Blowfish on YouTube │ Blowfish on LinkedIn

Womenize! – Inspiring Stories Feature by Sophie Brugmann

26. October 2022

Priya Raphel – Womenize! – Inspiring Stories

Womenize! – Inspiring Stories is our weekly series featuring inspirational women from games and tech. For this edition we talked to Priya Raphel, Director, HR Business Partner at Zynga. She gives us insights into the planning of employee growth and impactful HR initiatives. Read more about Priya in this interview:
 
What do you love most about working in the Human Resources field?

I am really passionate about connecting with people and being in HR gives me an opportunity to be impactful. It challenges me every day, but knowing that I make a difference in the “professional” lives of people and contribute to business success is what keeps me going.

I enjoy working closely with leadership and managers to support their needs. Being part of an employee’s growth is simultaneously a humbling and uplifting experience. The human resources job function also allows me the opportunity to mold the culture of the organization into what employees consider a great place to work.

Are there similarities between HR in the games environment and in non-gaming tech branches?

The roles and responsibilities of HR across both fields are fairly similar. While there are similarities, it is usually the people and culture which make the difference and hence the projects or initiatives that we drive need to be in alignment to the specific needs of the audience. This ensures that the initiatives are impactful. 

What I love about the gaming industry is that this is where tech meets creativity. While creativity exists in both fields, the gaming industry provides an opportunity to work with a varied talent pool which involves artists, designers, producers, product managers and engineers and it is truly amazing to see how all of these functions come together to make games that connect with millions of people around the world. The environment and culture is fun, creative, innovative, and trustworthy. 

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In your current role as Director, HRBP at Zynga – how can your day to day work be described?

Connecting with leaders, teams and employees is the core of my work. Apart from that I lead HR operations, compensation, benefits and compliances for India. In my role, I am able to provide guidance on a range of HR issues and influence new (and improved) ways of enhancing organizational operations. This involves focusing on building high performance teams that are operating with a great level of efficiency, while ensuring that employee experience is never affected negatively. 

I work in partnership with Leaders on strategizing employee growth, talent planning & understanding training needs. This allows me to roadmap key deliverables and support the achievement of business goals. By conducting regular employee connects meetings, I get a pulse of the organization, understand what is going well and what can be improved. This facilitates building themes and being able to address issues/concerns if any and also plan necessary contingencies well in advance. 

Just as importantly, I act as an advocate of the company’s values and culture to create a best in class work environment.

Thanks for this interview, Priya!

Priya’s links: LinkedIn

Womenize! – Inspiring Stories Feature by Sophie Brugmann

19. October 2022

Daniela Gamarra – Womenize! – Inspiring Stories

Womenize! – Inspiring Stories is our weekly series featuring inspirational women from games and tech. For this edition we talked to Daniela Gamarra, Founder & Creative Director at Indaga Studios. She provides insights on how the games and entertainment industries can have a meaningful impact on the population and culture of a society. Read more about Daniela in this interview:
 
Hi Daniela! Has there been any project you were involved in, which stood out as being more special than others?

I know that I have been extremely lucky during my career, especially considering my country (Peru) has a pretty small digital entertainment industry. Since the beginning of my career, I have landed on projects that were passion-driven, from webtoons and animation to creating educational projects that helped vulnerable families in my country and the Latin American region.

I have learned so much from each experience that it is hard to pick just one, but if I have to choose a special one, it would be the “Cusco Paradox” game. “Cusco Paradox” was the result of combining many paths and passions in my life. In the development of this project, I was able to use every single piece of knowledge and skill I had, like drawing, art direction, game design, UX/UI, and interactive narrative. I also had to deal with new challenges such as musical direction, team building, project managing, user research, and field research to better understand the complex thematic we chose and finally deal with my first investor.

The “Cusco Paradox” project has a special place in my heart because it was the first time I made an open LGBTQ+ themed project. As many of the readers may know, Peru is a very conservative country, and being part of the LGBTQ+ community is hard for most of us. I wanted to make a game that showed two parts of me: being Peruvian and gay. There are no other games like this in the country and we made it in order to fight homophobia in the Peruvian Andes. 

Finally, “Cusco Paradox” was the first project we developed as a studio (Indaga Studios) and it meant the first step of my lifelong dream: to change the world with digital media.

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How does your company Indaga Studios aim to fight social and educational issues?

Can you imagine a game that changes the world? The whole purpose of the studio is to build the world we want to live in. Our vision is to create projects, harnessing the power of digital media, to fight for social causes and to improve education in developing nations.

Growing up in Peru, I witnessed the average media my country produces and, above all, what it consumes. I grew up watching and playing American and Japanese media as a child. The stories were fantastic and exciting, but I could not find stories and characters representing myself or my country. Peru does not have an entertainment industry; there are few productions, and unfortunately, many are low quality, generic, or copies of foreign projects. For this reason, I began to draw, trying to tell stories with images in comics and graphic novels, and create worlds and characters in which I saw myself reflected. When sharing my creations, someone told me: “I would have liked to see this while growing up, I feel that you have told my life”; and it was at that moment when I realized the power that the media has to influence lives, digital media is transformative.

I fervently believe that the media we consume shapes us, changes us, educates us, and, if we use it in the right way, it can become a powerful tool for transformation. We learn from everything we consume, and the question becomes the following: what positive impact can we create through entertainment? My vision for the future is to develop projects that deeply move the player; it is to create entertainment products that are so good that they attract the masses to consume them while talking about real-world problems. I seek to inspire the player to be interested in the issues, igniting the spark of change. 

Indaga Studios aims to create purpose-driven experiences. We want to solve problems with narrative and interactive solutions and give a voice to those who have never had a chance to share their own.

Why do you personally see comfort zones as a nightmare?

I can remember the exact moment in my life when I started feeling this way about “comfort zones”, without knowing that there was a name for them. It was when I wanted to learn how to draw: I was 12 and had just discovered anime and manga. I rapidly became obsessed with learning how to draw like my heroes and how to tell the unforgettable stories they were creating. I felt I could draw forever. Every single time I drew from ages 12 to 15, I was trying to improve: every bad line, every ‘not-great story’ was a nightmare. I wanted to be always challenged, but I was a lonely kid, so I became my greatest competitor and judge. Since that experience I have always wanted to learn more, to experience more. What is out there? What does the world look like? 

When I feel I know enough about something – or if I am just feeling too “ok and comfortable” – I can then sense the urge to grow, to go out there and find a new challenge. It may sound weird to some people but for me, the challenges to improve myself personally and professionally have always been among my most memorable experiences in life.

Thanks for this interview, Daniela!

Daniela’s links: LinkedIn │ Indaga Studios │ Indaga Studios on Instagram │ Cusco Paradox Game

Womenize! – Inspiring Stories Feature by Sophie Brugmann

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