<
https://www.theguardian.com/games/2025/oct/09/igda-the-non-profit-helping-people-from-all-over-the-world-to-become-successful-game-developers>
"Gamescom, the annual video game convention held in Cologne, Germany, is a
unique event. It not only draws hundreds of thousands of players to pack out
vast convention halls each year, but it also hosts professionals, offering them
a chance to get their games into the hands of fans, and gives industry hopefuls
a shot at passing their résumés to developers. For those based outside the US,
it is the biggest event of the year by far. It is the International Game
Developers Association (IGDA) Foundation’s first year here, and executive
director Alyssa Walles is excited.
The IGDA Foundation provides professional development for underrepresented and
marginalised people hoping to enter the video game industry, a crucial service
considering the many barriers prospective producers, developers and writers
face. Though Walles is fairly new to the IGDA Foundation, having joined three
years ago, she is a video game industry veteran. She knows how crucial it is to
help those who aren’t born into privileged situations, who can’t afford to
travel across the globe to conventions, or have not had traditional schooling
in computer design or coding.
“I was part of the launch team of PlayStation in Europe, and I was the only
woman in the room most of the time,” Walles says. “So I am so happy to see that
change.” But she knows there is more work to be done."
Via
Positive.News
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
