The gaming industry has a troubling history of sexism and exclusion. Major developers, like Activision Blizzard, have recently been found guilty of encouraging a culture of misogyny and abuse in the workplace.
However, things are slowly starting to change. Developers like Activision Blizzard had their profits slashed after being found guilty of sexism, and many in the gaming industry have rallied behind calls for greater inclusion and gender equality in the gaming industry.
Today, you can find great resources to support your career in gaming. Whether you’re a quick-scoping pro, an aspiring art designer, or a tech-savvy programmer, you can find community groups and funding to help take your career to the next level.
Streamer Groups
If you’re a gamer, there are few better ways to make money and build a business than streaming. You can start your career as a streamer today by logging on to a platform like Twitch, syncing your console or PC, and going live.
Streaming sounds easy but, as any experienced gamer knows, gaining a following can be hard. You can make the process easier by connecting with other women who stream and raise each other as a community.
The simplest way to find a community of women is by filtering your Twitch search. Twitch allows you to find women streamers through their “search” bar. You can either search with terms like “women gamers,” or you can find women who stream through social sites like Reddit or Discord. Just be sure to vet any contacts you make and follow professional networking practices at all times.
As your channel grows, you may receive invitations to network events and fundraisers. You can protect your brand and yourself by developing healthy networking strategies. While there’s nothing wrong with enjoying yourself at networking events, remember to build some structure into the event and try to attend scheduled networking opportunities. This will help you connect with other like-minded streamers and may land you lucrative sponsorship opportunities.
As a woman streamer, you can build a loyal following and land lucrative sponsorships to boost your income. Treat your stream like a business and present a consistent offering that is value-driven. Third-party sponsors are interested in partnering with streams that show potential and align with their goals, so be sure to lay out your calendar so you can stream at the same time every week.
Coding and Developing
Women are traditionally underrepresented in STEM fields. However, initiatives are in place to improve participation and increase diversity in fields like coding and development. If you have a passion for coding and programming, you can find support through scholarships and mentorship programs.
Start by joining programs like the Women in Games project. Women in Games is a nonprofit organization that rejects gender discrimination and exploitation and seeks to promote greater equality in the gaming industry. They run Corporate Ambassador programs, and sponsor events like a Women in Games Festival, Career Expo, and Summer Lunch.
Women in Games also has a directory of speakers and partners with major developers like Riot Games and AT&T to help put women coders and developers in touch with employers.
You can find financial support through initiatives like the ESA Scholarship Program. The ESA program provides funding and community support for women and other underrepresented groups in gaming.
Work-Life Balance
Many careers in gaming are digitized and conducted remotely. So, whether you’re slide-canceling on stream or programming in your own home office, you need to account for the challenges that come with working from home.
Some women who work from home are pressured to complete household tasks during their workday. This is sexist and will derail your programming productivity. Regular interruptions to your stream will also turn audiences away and make it harder to hold on to repeat viewers.
You can optimize your work day and strike a better work-life balance by adopting a few work-from-home tricks. Start by creating a clear schedule for yourself. A good routine will help you stick to a regular streaming schedule and can ensure that you complete all of your tasks on time. Take breaks and avoid the temptation to “prove yourself” to male peers who traditionally dominate the gaming industry.
If you find that you just can’t get the support you need, you may want to consider a change in employer. You can find women-led companies in gaming through sites like LinkedIn and Indeed. Some major studios like The Coalition — the team behind Gears of War — are led by women and may have a better appreciation for the unique challenges you face.
Conclusion
Women have been traditionally underrepresented in the gaming industry. However, you can find the support you need through progressive organizations like Women in Gaming that aim to improve gender equality in gaming. You can also find community through other women streamers and gamers, who share your passion for games. If your current employer appears to be behind the times, take a look at studios like The Coalition which involve women at every level of the corporate ladder and have a clear commitment to diversity and inclusion.
