So, I went to 3D camp on October 5th and it was pretty awesome! I was on the game development panel with Eric Kinkead, Nathan Eror, and Jason Bunn, moderated by Mckee Frazior (formerly of Bouncing Pixel where I work). It was my first time on a panel, and I think it went rather well!
Some high school girls came up to me after my talk and asked me some questions about the difficulties I may have faced being a woman in game development. I remember last year hearing about the #1reasonwhy hashtag on Twitter and all the awareness it raised about the issue. I keep thinking about this so I figure I should write about it too.
I guess I'm lucky in that in my own experience I haven't really noticed that much overt sexism from the people I have worked with in game development, or even my limited forays into online games. Whenever I've encountered insults of any kind online, I just shrug it off as a sign that the person making the insults is being immature and doesn't deserve my attention. (Though I have to say I would probably stoop to ridiculing them for their ignorance if anything.) My true friends would always see the value in my insights in game development, so I never perceived any truly antagonistic element to the game design world. I guess I have been blessed to have open-minded friends such as Lars Doucet and Sean Choate, as well as all the people I work with at Bouncing Pixel. I'm not really saying all this to brag, I'm just pointing out that there ARE good places out there, it's not all bad.
After the panel at 3D Camp, Mckee pointed out that sometimes companies will use the excuse of "not a good fit for the corporate culture" to avoid hiring women, which made me wonder about whether I have encountered invisible forms of discrimination. I do find I have a hard time being taken seriously sometimes. I feel like I have to prove my skills more frequently than most guys would, but then I can't really say from experience because I have never been a guy. My philosophy is to just be who I am and not stress about what people think of me.
I think being a woman in game development is kind of like being a human on Earth, you have a good chance of having a hard time of it, but there are ways to get by. Is it worth it to be a woman in game development? I don't know, that's up to you! If you are a woman and really want to be a game developer despite all the obstacles, GO FOR IT! That's what I did. Does the industry need to change? Probably! Lots of things in the world need to change. Everyone should do what they can to right injustice wherever they perceive it. I'm glad the #1reasonwhy Twitter cascade brought awareness to the problems many women face.
If you are a woman in game development, don't let the male-dominated culture intimidate you. If you truly want to change the world through game design, or even just make fun little games to brighten people's day, the world has a place for you, whoever you are.
But don't be fooled, it's a difficult industry to survive in, whether you are a woman or not. Jobs can be very hard to find at times, and you may have to fall back on other skills you've developed to get by. But keep your vision alive, and keep striving for it. Spend time to perfect your skills and learn about the trade. Confidence in your abilities is one of the most important traits to have, and it is best acquired through practice.
People have asked me before if being the only woman working in my office (of 7 people) is lonely. I have never seen it that way. I feel like a pioneer, an adventurer. The life of the early pioneers seems like it would have been pretty lonely at times, but was it worth it? You bet. You don't make any progress by staying in your comfort zone, and I've found that life is a lot more fun when it's challenging.
I give thanks to God for giving me the confidence to go against the current, the calling to rise above the world and all its prejudices and injustices, the assurance that Someone loves me no matter what anyone else may say, and the resources to achieve what I have today. Without Him, I am nothing. Glory to God for all things.
