More Than Making Games

Many educators, researchers, and industry stakeholders share the common goals of fostering inclusivity in game communities and seeking ways to support young women in games and technology. This paper reports findings of a qualitative research study investigating the learning pathways, experiences, and expectations of women who work in the game industry. Interview data reveals that women in games share a common interest in making game communities and workspaces better for the next generation of game designers. Overall, participants’ contributions to these efforts fall into four primary roles: educators, advocates, role models, and leaders. Findings offer insights about how game industry professionals understand their personal and professional pathways, and reveal how participants approach solutions for common barriers. This research hints at a number of possible research directions for researchers and educators looking to design better programs, curricula, and interventions that support young women along their learning pathways in games.