Diversity and Inclusion
Ongoing coverage on Diversity and Inclusion.
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Here are the first finalists for the 2026 GamesIndustry.biz Best Places To Work Awards UK
The finalists for the 2026 GamesIndustry.biz Best Places To Work Awards UK have been announced, recognizing excellence in workplace culture and specific areas like CSR, Diversity, Education, Environment, Health & Wellbeing, and Training & Development. NaturalMotion Games leads with five special award nominations, followed by Rocksteady Studios, Jagex, Playground Games, and Rare. The winners will be celebrated at a ceremony in London on October 1, 2026, following the GamesIndustry.biz HR Summit.
"I would fight it tooth and nail": The Sims artist would challenge any mandate to reduce diversity after EA Saudi buyout
The Sims senior character artist Jess Hyland stated she would strongly oppose any mandate to reduce diversity in the game following Electronic Arts' acquisition by a consortium including Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund. While Hyland has not heard of any such mandate, she expressed concerns shared by players and former developers about potential cultural shifts impacting the game's inclusive design.
TIGA Games Education Conference – Full agenda announced!
TIGA has announced the full agenda for its upcoming Games Education Conference 2026, hosted at Birmingham City University and sponsored by Epic Games. The event will feature over 30 speakers from educational institutions and studios discussing key topics such as skills requirements, graduate employment, games research, and diversity in games education.
HR veteran Liz Prince awarded MBE for services to the games industry and diversity
Liz Prince, a veteran business manager at gaming recruitment specialist Amiqus, has been awarded an MBE in the King's Birthday Honours list for her services to the games industry and diversity. Prince has been a long-time advocate for equality and inclusivity, launching initiatives like G Into Gaming and co-founding Empower Up to promote better workplaces.
DOJ extracts $30m settlement from PayPal over minority-owned business program
The Department of Justice has extracted a $30 million settlement from PayPal concerning its minority-owned business program. This action is part of a broader trend of federal scrutiny over corporate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives.
British Esports appoints former Olympic swimmer Alice Dearing as Co-Vice Chair
The British Esports Federation has appointed former Olympic swimmer Alice Dearing as its new Co-Vice Chair. Dearing, who has been an advocate for diversity and inclusion, aims to elevate British esports athletes and teams. This appointment highlights the growing crossover between traditional sports and esports.
Into Games' IG50 program to support new devs from working-class backgrounds opens again next month
Into Games has reopened applications for its IG50 program, which supports emerging game developers from working-class and low-income backgrounds in the UK. Headline sponsor Ubisoft is providing paid internships of up to three months with UK studios, aiming to address structural barriers in the industry. The program also offers tickets and accommodation for Develop:Brighton 2026.
IBM settles its DEI lawsuit with the DOJ for $17 million
IBM has agreed to a $17 million settlement with the US Department of Justice to resolve allegations of violating civil rights laws through its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) practices. The DOJ accused IBM of considering race, color, national origin, or sex in employment decisions, including altering interview criteria and using diversity modifiers for bonus compensation. IBM denies wrongdoing, stating the settlement is not an admission of liability.
"There’s always work to be done": Limit Break's mentorship program for under-represented groups returns for 2026
The Limit Break mentorship program, aimed at supporting under-represented groups in the UK and Irish games industry, has opened applications for its 2026 cohort. Founded in 2019, the program supports individuals from marginalized genders, orientations, ethnicities, as well as neurodiverse people and those with disabilities. The 2026 program will introduce new initiatives like virtual onboarding and a track for aspiring game business founders.
Black In Gaming Announces 2026 Award Winners
The Black In Gaming Foundation has announced the winners of its 2026 BIG Awards, celebrating outstanding achievements by Black professionals in the gaming industry. The ceremony, hosted by Dr. iAsia Brown, honored individuals across various fields including media, artistry, programming, and development, with Trinidad Hermida, Chairwoman of the Board, emphasizing the trailblazing nature of this year's recipients.
IGN Entertainment is exclusive media sponsor for Nite to Unite 2026
IGN Entertainment has been named the exclusive media sponsor for the Nite to Unite 2026 fundraising event. This annual event supports the ESA Foundation's initiatives aimed at promoting diverse and underrepresented voices within the industry.
Black In Gaming Announces 2026 Award Winners
The Black In Gaming Foundation has announced the winners of its 2026 BIG Awards, celebrating outstanding achievements by Black professionals in the gaming industry. The ceremony, hosted by Dr. iAsia Brown, honored individuals across various categories including media, artistry, and development, with special recognition for pioneers like Lisette Montgomery and Adanna Nedd. The event also highlighted the contributions of partners such as Sony Interactive Entertainment.
WOMEN’S DAY SALE ON STEAM RETURNS MARCH 6-15TH, 2026
WINGS announced the return of its annual Women's Day Sale on Steam, running from March 6-15, 2026. The sale features hundreds of indie games from teams led by women and gender-marginalized developers, including discounts on titles like Sticky Business, Overcooked! 2, DREDGE, and SIGNALIS, alongside new demos. This initiative aims to celebrate and recognize the contributions of these developers to the gaming industry.
IGN Entertainment is exclusive media sponsor for Nite to Unite 2026
IGN Entertainment has been named the exclusive media partner for the Nite to Unite 2026 fundraising event, which supports the ESA Foundation's initiatives for diversity and inclusion in the video game industry. The event aims to fund scholarships, workforce development, and other programs to support underrepresented voices. This marks IGN Entertainment's third consecutive year sponsoring the event.
GDC Awards 2026 to recognise Don Daglow and Rebecca Heineman
Don Daglow will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award and Rebecca Heineman will be posthumously honored with the Ambassador Award at the 2026 Game Developers Choice Awards. Daglow, a veteran of over five decades in game development, and Heineman, known for her advocacy and contributions to over 250 titles, are recognized for their significant impact on the industry.
