5 Tips for Breaking into the Video Game Industry as a Woman

Breaking into the video game industry is a dream for many. Comprehensively enough, almost forty years of exposure to the medium have fueled the minds of creators and developers alike: fortunately, joining the ranks of great designers, artists, and coders behind the eighth form of art is becoming increasingly painless.

Nevertheless, it can be a daunting task if you’re a woman.

On an empiric, almost emotional level, It’s safe to say that making games can be learned just by playing them.This fact is accurate for all of us, and it’s not less valid or meaningful if you’re a girl.

According to Exploding Topics, an overwhelming 1,39 billion gamers worldwide are female. 45% means that women have almost reached parity when playing video games; however, according toGamesIndustry.biz, only 24% of game devs are women.

Traditionally, this has stemmed from video game development being an offshoot of programming and engineering, usually male-dominated careers. However, as these career paths have progressed and opened their doors to females, it does not make sense for women to be underrepresented in the video game industry.

Today, we will discuss how you can push your dream of becoming a female gaming developer.

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Tip #1: Do not shy from belonging here. You already do!

If you have decided to become a video game developer and read our blog before, you know what you need to do.Now, it’s time to own your decision and evaluate what career path would be best for you.

It’s natural to think that women have primarily been delegated to marketing and PR positions in the gaming industry, and you wouldn’t be wrong. After all, these are career paths where women naturally perform outstandingly, regardless of the sector.

Nevertheless, gaming as it exists today would be unthinkable without women in other crucial roles and responsibilities.

Since the 80s, women have been finding well-deserved success in several areas of game development. They have shined particularly in producer or designer roles, with names like Roberta Williams, Lucy Bradshaw, Brenda Romero, the late Rieko “Phoenix Rie” Kodama, and Ikumi Nakamura penning some of the great video games of the last four decades.

Moreover, these have made female developers rise as creative directors or occupy executive positions in many studios. Amy Hennig, Jade Raymond, and Kellee Santiago are only some of the names that have pushed the medium forward in meaningful ways, all while leading studios ofall sizes and capacities.

And don’t get us started on how many female artists are out there, creating outstanding video game worlds and settings like only they could do.

Has a layer of doubt been successfully removed? Good. Let’s carry on.

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Tip #2: Know your worth and defend it.

We are not going to lie to you:demonstrating your potential and quality can be extremely tough in the video game industry if your portfolio has a female name on it. The prejudice is therein some areas, but there is nothing that a professional cover letter, a well-researched and planned portfolio, and voicing your aspirations adequately cannot achieve.

This advice is specifically meaningful in interviews but is as crucial while networking at gaming conventions and industry events. Having a well-developed voice and personality will pave the way for success, and people will get easily inspired by your passion and devotion to this craft.

Another excellent way to make this networking more effective is finding mentors inside the gaming industry, preferably other successful, renowned women who can orient and guide you towards the best opportunities for career development and exploration.

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Tip #3: Find a community where you can thrive and hone your skills.

Entering the video game industry can be incredibly overwhelming if you don’t feel comfortable or have the support of your peers. Nevertheless, several non-profit organisations and women-led associations currently give females the visibility, recognition, and inclusion they deserve in the sector.

‍Women in Games International, Girls Who Code, the International Game Developers Association, BroadcastHER, LimitBreak, and AnyKey are just a few examples of institutions helping women worldwide and guiding them through the dos and don’ts of becoming a female gamer, developer, or broadcaster.

There are also several online communities meant to support the growth and development of female creators, designers, and programmers. Don’t be afraid to put the power of sorority on your side if the path seems overwhelming or unclear.

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Tip #4: Do not be afraid to dream big.

The biggest enemy you have lives within you.

It’s easy to feel like you’re an outsider or an imposter in this industry. There is an impressive amount of information to learn as the game development pipeline gets more complicated by the minute, and new technologies are readily available in the blink of an eye.

The significant prejudice against women’s capabilities surrounding the medium can seem intimidating to fledgling female developers. The already troubling figures revealing that women only apply to roles they feel to be 100% qualified for are even more truthful in the video game industry.

Moreover, the cases of discrimination, abuse, and underestimation of women’s skills and contributions to the scene can make things more difficult. That is why you should be your best ally, constantly self-advocating for your worth and striving to be seen and heard.

Put your achievements and success forward, no matter what. Be proud of what you have gained through your career and remind yourself there’s more ahead. Have a healthy list of role models within the industry and see yourself among them. Aspire only for the best - do not get complacent at any point in your career.

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Tip #5: Do not forget to do your part when you get there.

The path to breaking into the video game industry as a woman does not end when you actually do the breaking. Now, it is your turn to allow other women to traverse the same road you did.

Mentoring other aspiring women and highlighting their skills is always a good way of supporting the community. Feedback, after all, can go both ways, and you can grow alongside your pupils.

Keep participating in events, meetings, and conventions that strengthen diversity, and inclusion, and foster amore healthy environment in the industry.

To break the cycle, you must not repeat the same mistakes you found.

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