Check out the official news below!
The ESA Foundation in partnership with Red Bull Media House have officially launched We Are, an initiative designed to empower women in the video game industry, and to inspire new voices and talent to contribute passionately to games. The launch begins with WeAreVideoGames.org, a website that features content on industry veterans and a living photo gallery of women in video games, and continues with a We Are booth at E3 that will include live discussions with prominent women in the video game industry, a photo exhibition, custom merchandise, an arcade, and more.
“Inspiring new female voices and talent to join the video game industry begins with showcasing the legacy of women and the impact they continue to have on video games,” said Anastasia Staten, executive director of the ESA Foundation. “Only 21 percent of game developers are women, but their contributions to video games are immeasurable. This initiative is about showing the next generation the difference they can make and guiding them on the path to make it happen.”
We Are began as a traveling photo gallery that captured and celebrated the perspectives and contributions of women in the video game industry at 2017 conventions and events. The ongoing gallery is now featured on the new We Are website, which also provides a hub for content highlighting the diverse roles women hold within the video game world and aims to inspire new voices and talent from all backgrounds to contribute to the community and industry.
The initiative’s upcoming E3 2018 appearance will feature a booth on the show floor with a variety of programming and entertainment, including live talks, a photo exhibition featuring women in the video game industry, an arcade, custom merchandise benefiting the ESA Foundation’s mission, and more. Also partnering in the booth is Facebook, who through their Women in Gaming initiative, are coming together to give women a stronger voice in the games through a video activation. Women at the We Are booth will be invited to share their story, their love of games and their advice for creating a more diverse and inclusive community. We Are invites all E3 attendees to come explore what makes the video game industry so vibrant and diverse at Booth #823 in the South Hall of the Los Angeles Convention Center.
We Are will present the following programming during E3 show hours:
Tuesday, June 12th
4:00pm
Journeys into Games – a candid discussion on unique experiences getting into and succeeding in the games industry, featuring:
- Kiki Wolfkill, 343 Industries
- Liz Fiacco, Naughty Dog
- Mairin Wilson, Facebook
- Rachel Weber, GamesRadar+ (Moderator)
Wednesday, June 13th
12:30pm
The World of Esports – a discussion focused on the many roles in the esports world, featuring:
- Emily Chow, ESL Gaming
- Eunice Chen, Cloud9
- Samantha “Persia” Hancock, Commentator
- Victoria “VikkiKitty” Perez, Commentator
- Zorine Te, Content Creator (Moderator)
1:30pm
Small Studios, Big Ideas – a focus on making creative games at small studios where one often has to take on several roles, featuring:
- Caryl Shaw, Double Fine
- Siobhan Reddy, Media Molecule
- Robin Hunicke, Funomena
- Kelly Wallick, IGF/Indie Megabooth (Moderator)
3:30pm
Content Creators Talk Games – a discussion on creating games-focused content for fans, featuring:
- Mari Takahashi, Smosh Games
- Meghan Camarena, Strawburry17
- Sonja Reid, OMGitsfirefoxx
- Anne Lewis, Bethesda (Moderator)
Thursday, June 14th
11:00am
Voice Acting and Performance Capture – an intimate conversation on bringing video game characters to life, featuring:
- Janina Gavankar, Actress
- Sydnee Goodman, IGN
2:00pm
Live Art Studio with Kelly Toki – a live painting session of an official We Are print and audience Q&A with artist Kelly Toki
After We Are makes its formal introduction to the public at E3 2018, the initiative will continue to host live activations and programs around the country, including live panels, networking events, and fundraising events for the ESA Foundation scholarships. Throughout 2018 and into 2019, We Are aims to continue to foster diversity in the community and to spread a message that all are welcome to participate, whether industry veterans or young people deciding on career paths, inspiring women to join the industry and contribute their creativity, experiences and insight, enriching the games community for all.
