Women in Games manifesto presses industry on equality

Women in Games has unveiled a new manifesto urging game studios, publishers and platform holders to confront entrenched gender imbalance and workplace inequities, arguing that the long-term health of the global video games sector depends on structural change rather than symbolic gestures. The document sets out a framework aimed at reshaping hiring practices, leadership pathways and creative decision-making across an industry that employs millions but continues to skew heavily male, particularly at senior levels.

The manifesto’s central demand is a rebalancing of gender representation across all layers of the games ecosystem, from entry-level development roles to boardrooms and investment committees. Women in Games argues that diversity initiatives have stalled because they are often treated as peripheral corporate commitments rather than core business priorities. It contends that meaningful progress will require measurable targets, transparent reporting and accountability mechanisms tied to executive performance.

Alongside representation, the manifesto places strong emphasis on fairness in pay, promotion and working conditions. It highlights persistent gender pay gaps and uneven access to career advancement, noting that women are more likely to leave the industry mid-career due to limited progression opportunities, hostile workplace cultures or the absence of flexible working structures. The organisation frames retention as a critical issue, warning that talent drain undermines innovation and increases recruitment costs in a sector already facing skills shortages.

The manifesto arrives at a moment of heightened scrutiny of workplace practices within the games industry. Over the past decade, allegations of harassment, discrimination and exclusion have surfaced across multiple major studios, prompting internal reviews and public commitments to reform. Women in Games acknowledges that some companies have introduced diversity programmes and codes of conduct, but argues that outcomes remain uneven and often disconnected from everyday decision-making.

A key plank of the manifesto focuses on leadership pipelines. Women in Games calls for clearer pathways for women to move into creative director, studio head and executive producer roles, positions that shape not only corporate culture but also the narratives and characters that appear in games themselves. The group argues that a lack of women in creative leadership reinforces narrow portrayals and limits the industry’s ability to reach diverse audiences.

The document also addresses the funding landscape, pointing to disparities in access to venture capital and publisher backing for women-led studios. Women in Games urges investors and publishers to examine their evaluation criteria, suggesting that unconscious bias can influence which projects are deemed commercially viable. It calls for mentorship networks and funding initiatives designed to support women founders and independent developers.

Education and early career access form another pillar of the manifesto. Women in Games advocates closer collaboration between industry, universities and training providers to ensure that girls and young women are encouraged to pursue careers in game design, programming and production. It argues that outreach efforts must go beyond marketing campaigns and include sustained engagement, role models and practical pathways into employment.

The manifesto also highlights the global dimension of the challenge. While acknowledging regional differences in labour markets and cultural norms, Women in Games stresses that gender imbalance is a shared issue across major gaming hubs in Europe, North America and Asia-Pacific. It calls for international cooperation and data-sharing to track progress and identify effective interventions, positioning equality as a competitive advantage in a globalised industry.

Industry response to the manifesto has been cautiously receptive. Several studios and trade bodies have signalled support for its broad goals, while noting the operational complexities involved in implementing systemic change. Some executives have pointed to economic pressures, including rising development costs and volatile consumer spending, as constraints on rapid reform. Women in Games counters that equity measures should be viewed as long-term investments rather than discretionary expenses.

The organisation’s leadership has framed the manifesto as both a challenge and an invitation. It calls on companies to publicly commit to its principles and to work collaboratively on solutions, rather than treating diversity as a compliance exercise. By emphasising data, accountability and leadership responsibility, the manifesto seeks to shift the conversation from intent to impact.