German games industry takes a stand for diversity

• German games industry launches diversity initiative ‘Hier spielt Vielfalt’
• Joint declaration for an open society and a diverse games culture can be signed on hier-spielt-vielfalt.de/en
• Numerous companies, institutions and individuals in the games industry are among the first signatories
• game provides a free online Diversity Guide with practical tips for companies and institutions
 
Berlin, 11 December 2019 – With its initiative ‘Hier spielt Vielfalt’ (Diversity plays here), the German games industry is taking a clear stand for greater diversity. The heart of the initiative is a joint declaration by the games industry that highlights the particularly extensive diversity in games culture. It also underscores signatories’ shared goal of an open society, free from discrimination, and a games culture characterised by recognition and appreciation. All games industry stakeholders are welcome to sign the declaration, which is now available online. The first signatories include a wide range of companies, institutions and individuals.
 
‘We in the games industry are justifiably proud of the great diversity in our medium. Nowhere else do so many people with such different backgrounds come together to play, experience stories together or compete with one another. And the game developers around the world are just as diverse as the players. The “Hier spielt Vielfalt” initiative is the entire games industry’s way of taking a clear stand for greater diversity, encouraging everyone to learn more about the issue and to actively promote and support diversity,’ says Felix Falk, Managing Director of game. ‘Each and every one of us in the games industry is called upon to sign on to this declaration and become a part of #TeamDiversity. The great diversity in our games industry is what makes us strong, and that’s why it’s important that we all come together to take a stand for a diverse games culture.’
 
To mark the launch of the initiative, game – the German Games Industry Association has also published a Diversity Guide for companies and institutions offering tips and support for creating diverse teams and gaming communities. Examples of best practices from Bethesda, Daedalic, EA, Microsoft, SAE Institute and Wooga provide practical insight on issues like diversity in games, diversity in teams, accessibility and interacting with the gaming community. The guide also offers legal advice on diversity in the workplace. Further diversity initiatives and partnerships are planned for 2020.
 
All stakeholders in the German games industry are welcome to sign the declaration on hier-spielt-vielfalt.de/en. The diversity guide is available free of charge on game.de/en/guides/diversity-guide.

game – the German Games Industry Association

We are the association of the German games industry. Our members include developers, publishers and many other games industry actors such as esports event organisers, educational establishments and service providers. As a joint organiser of gamescom, we are responsible for the world’s biggest event for computer and video games. We are an expert partner for media and for political and social institutions, and answer questions relating to market development, games culture and media literacy. Our mission is to make Germany the leading location for game development.

Press contact:

Martin Puppe
game – the German Games Industry Association
Friedrichstraße 165
10117 Berlin
Germany
Phone: +49 (0)30 2408779-20
Email: martin.puppe@game.de
www.game.de
Twitter: @game_verband
Facebook.com/game.verband
Instagram: game_verband

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