During the autumn of 2023, the first edition of Arctic Game Dev was arranged in Umeå and the popular meeting place Female Meetup was on the agenda. The games industry has traditionally been male-dominated, and to break norms and promote gender equality, Female Meetup is focused on women, LGBTQAI+, and non-binary individuals. The event provides a safe platform for all underrepresented groups in the industry, where participants have the opportunity to voice their opinions and discuss both successes and challenges within the games industry.
The event attracted over 60 participants, and the evening began with a shared mingle and dinner where both the atmosphere and expectations were high. Female Meetup hosted a panel discussion with several strong voices in the games industry – Jane Skullman; Executive Producer at Star Stable, Justyna Fryczak; Game Designer at Windup Games, Jenny Österlund; Game Contractor Supplier at Game Boost Sweden and Johanna-Lovisa Vannebäck; Junior Producer at Turborilla, participated as panelists.
The evening was moderated by Marie Daniel from Amplifier Game Invest, who had previously supported Female Meetup.
– Female Meetup is a fantastic meeting place for underrepresented women and non-binary individuals in the games industry. A place to recharge, exchange thoughts, and network. Invaluable! says Marie Daniel.
The summary of participants' feedback was overwhelmingly positive, highlighting the importance of the event and the desire to make a positive change in the industry. Marie Daniel also had the opportunity to reflect on the response she received directly during the evening.
– I received incredibly positive feedback! Many who have faced difficulties entering the industry found it comforting to hear how others have achieved their career dreams. Many found it cool to listen to my experiences as a single mother in the games industry abroad.
Marie continues to share her perspective on the current situation and the future for the event's target audience of women, non-binary individuals, and LGBTQIA+ in the games industry.
– I definitely believe that we can change the industry in the long run - break all barriers, include EVERYONE in our industry for better games and better workplaces. If you want to belong in the games industry, you do. Period!
Female Meetup in Umeå was the sixth in a series, and the future looks bright for the event. The organizer Arctic Game and initiator Linda Lundgren, reveals what we can look forward to in 2024.
– A lot! What we already know is that Female Meetup will be held during Gamescom in Cologne in August. We are still in the planning stage, but more events will emerge throughout the year. We also take the feedback we received from previous occasions to make future Female Meetups even better.
Linda also wants to emphasize that the event would not be possible without all the fantastic enthusiasts and participants who contribute with invaluable drive, commitment, and experience!
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