Initiatives for Equality in the Swedish Games Industry
We want
more women to study game development
to Attract more women with relevant backgrounds to the industry
to Create an industry where women wish to stay and make a career
Ongoing actions and activities
Diversi
Project for diversity in the Games industry. Activities include scholarship for travelling to GDC for female game students, network event at Nordic Game and other activities. It has a national and Nordic focus and started in 20XX.
Introduction to the Games Industry
Job fair for women, students and professionals, looking for work in the games industry. One day event, initiated in 2017 in Stockholm. Managed by Dataspelsbranschen and supported by the Swedish Public Employment Service (Arbetsförmedlingen).
First event, also with Women in Games and EA Dice: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/intro-to-the-games-industry-tickets-37872152628
By other stakeholders
DONNA
Network for female and nonbinary game students, a steering committee + conference day “Donna Day” aligned with Sweden Game Conference. Project managed by the University of Skövde. Initiated in 2011.
Women in Games Sweden
Network mainly based in Stockholm. Hosts network event and meetups.
GameDev Force
GDF works towards increasing diversity, supporting equality, and creating safe spaces for minorities within the games industry. Started in 2019 and based in Stockholm. Behind WIG Lunches in Stockholm, Valkyrie Jam (see below) and mini conference The Thing.
Valkyrie Jam
Game Jam for women in the north of Sweden (Boden). Ten day event, held in 2018 and 2019. Applicants will be selected and receive lodging and food on site. Managed by GameDev Force and supported by other industry stakeholders.
https://www.facebook.com/ValkyrieJam/
Wings
Funding for games created by women. Ongoing project initiated in 2018, founded by Petter Henriksson (Landfall) and Audrey Leprince (Game Bakers).
Leveling the Playing Field
Funding for games made by studies with minimum 50% women. Ongoing project started by Coffee Stain in 2018.
Games by Her
12-week evening Game Development course for women and nonbinary with the aim to increase the number of non-cismen who create games. Initiated in 2020 by Paradox and based in Stockholm.
https://gamedevcourse.paradoxinteractive.com/
Historic activities
Spektrum X
Pre-study to find a way to create a work process in how to work with equality. “Jämställdhetscertifiering”. Based in Stockholm, 2014-2015, in partnership with…
Genuslabbet
Pre study to Diversi between 2013-2014. Based in Stockholm.
Workshop with MIT
Project with MIT, including an over-night workshop in the Stockholm archipelago about norms in game design. Workshop with participants from Swedish game companies.
By other stakeholders
Tidsvåg
A virtual celebration of games and women in games on October 15th, 2020 by Internetstiftelsen. http://tidsvag.se/
Supermarit
Project based in Visby between 2004-2009 funded by Gotland and EU with an aim to get more women to the games industry and create better and more fun games. Including events for female game students in Sweden.
https://it24.idg.se/2.2275/1.171914/supermarit-ska-fa-fler-tjejer-till-spelbranschen
https://www.diva-portal.org/smash/get/diva2:991160/FULLTEXT01.pdf