The UK video games industry celebrated the work of the most influential and inspirational women in gaming on May 20, 2016. Women in Games, a non-profit network offering support for women in the gaming industry, co-hosted the event with MCV. It does sadden me a little that Women in Games Awards are needed, but on the other hand, it’s fantastic to see these hard working and successful women get some recognition for their sheer awesomeness.
There were six special awards handed out on the night:
- Rising Star – Karen Stanley, Environment Artist at Sony London Studios
- Business Woman of the Year – Debbie Bestwick, CEO, Team 17
- Creative Impact – Siobhan Reddy, Co-Founder of Media Molecule
- Unsung Hero – Tanya Laird, Director of Digital Jam
- Campaigner – Kirsty Payne, VP, SpecialEffect
- Outstanding Contribution – Dr. Jo Twist, CEP, UKie
The top 30 women in games were also honoured alongside the winners of the 6 special awards.
- Katherine Bidwell
- Debby Bestwick
- Emily Britt
- Noirin Carmody
- Cat Channon
- Jo Cooke
- Jessica Curry
- Rosemarie Dalton
- Angela Dickson
- Amanda Farr
- Gina Jackson
- Charlotte Knight
- Nina Kristensen
- Veronique Lallier
- Roberto Lucca
- Keza MacDonald
- Caroline Miller
- Kat Osman
- Kirsty Payne
- Rhianna Pratchett
- Siobhan Reddy
- Helena Santos
- Sarah Seaby
- Fiona Sperry
- Giselle Stewart OBE
- Dr. Maria Stukoff
- Timea Tabori
- Dr. Siobhan Thomas
- Dr. Jo Twist
- Catherine Woolley
All of the women above are proof that you can make it in the industry, don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.
Women represent just 19% of the games industry, seriously lagging behind other creative industries such as film, radio and TV. There’s still a lot of work to be done, but at least we are moving in the right direction. The fact that the video games industry is so male orientated does show why these awards do have their place.
As a female, I do experience a lack of respect from many of my fellow gamers. When discussing my streaming dreams many men will suggest streaming in my underwear to get views. I’ve also heard men suggesting that a female gamer I follow must have a lot of male admirers because she is successful at what she does. I gently remind them that I follow her and admire her and I am female, and that many more females love her work too – we’re not just broadcasting for men or to show men our assets. We want to unite and connect with people with similar interests and I always love to find a gamer that has a love for what she does.
I don’t want to turn this into a sexism issue because my best friends growing up and playing on the SNES were boys and my best friends are now men. There is work to be done but I think so long as we keep plugging on and showing passion for video games and girls are encouraged at schools and Universities, then perhaps one day, things will become more equally spread in the industry as a whole.
Nettie
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Sarah Bailey
Oh wow that is awesome – it is so good they are awarding these women. x
23 . May . 2016Jude Dunn
It’s about time women are rewarded and recognised when working an achieving in a ‘man’s world’ 🙂
23 . May . 2016Ana De- Jesus
I love that they are honoring women in games but like you said I wish they didn’t have to make it a separate awards!
23 . May . 2016Hannah
Yay to all these ladies, glad to see them getting recognised x
23 . May . 2016The London Mum
I can’t believe how small a number of women representing the industry is. Big congrats to all the winners though. That’s amazing.
23 . May . 2016Rhian Westbury
I do agree that there are not enough active female gaming role models and I think that is the same in a lot of the ‘geekier’ industries, but it’s only a matter of time x
23 . May . 2016Liz Mays
It’s great that these people are being recognized. I think there are plenty of women out there who enjoy games and want to develop them.
24 . May . 2016Anosa
I feel very empowered right now knowing fellow females are being awarded in an industry that we seem to have less role models unless their tits are almost on display in the games themselves not outside.
24 . May . 2016Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy
I think that it’s great that they are recognising all the women that are contributing to the gaming industry.
24 . May . 2016Becca @ Amuse Your Bouche
What a great collection of awesome ladies! Love that they’re getting the recognition they deserve.
24 . May . 2016Olivia Thristan
I love that they are starting to give awards women in games, it’s important that people remember it’s not just a male thing. Love empowerment and this post screams it 🙂 x
24 . May . 2016Melanie Edjourian
Good to see that women are finally being recognised for their work especially in the gaming field.
24 . May . 2016Ickle Pickle
This is brilliant – I long for a world for my daughters where equality truly exists. Kaz x
24 . May . 2016Miss Kitty Kaos
Anything that recognises women in an industry is awesome in my books X
Miss Kitty Kaos – Adventures Of A Riot Grrrl
25 . May . 2016Tanya Brannan
What a fabulous event! I am not a massive gamer, however it is easy to see how it could be a world dominated by males. Well done all the women honoured here!
25 . May . 2016Natasha Mairs
That is great news that women are being recognised for their hard work in the gaming industry as well as men
25 . May . 2016Sarah, Things Sarah Loves
So glad to see that women are being recognised for the work they do in the games industry.
25 . May . 2016Sam Jeffery
This is such an awesome idea! About time!
25 . May . 2016Laura Haley
Sadly there’s a still a glass ceiling and we are far from equality. This is a good step forward but I look forward to the day it’s just an awards-and plenty of men AND women are being recognised, gender being irrelevant 🙂
25 . May . 2016lisa prince
omg this is such a great idea and i love that theres actually a thing such as a gaming award
26 . May . 2016Jenni
It’s great women are being recognised in industries that are mainly male orientated x
26 . May . 2016Sabina Sher
Oh sounds amazing! So great to hear that these women are getting awarded x
27 . May . 2016