The International Game Developer Association (IGDA) has recently published the results of its 2023 Developer Satisfaction Survey, shedding light on the sentiments of game developers towards diversity and inclusion in the industry.
According to the survey, a majority of respondents expressed strong beliefs in the importance of diversity within the games industry. However, a significant portion of them (67%) felt that there were not equal opportunities for all in the industry. While most respondents reported fair relationships with management, there was less confidence in policies related to complaints and crediting.
The survey also highlighted the universal consensus on the significance of workplace, game content, and industry diversity, with 85% to 87% of respondents emphasizing its importance. Despite this, only 58% felt that the industry had become more diverse in the past two years.
One of the key areas of concern identified in the survey was the lack of workplace programs aimed at increasing diversity, equity, and inclusion, with 28% of respondents stating their company had no such programs. Additionally, only 43% of respondents believed that existing policies on harassment, non-discrimination, and equal opportunity hiring were adequately enforced.
Crediting policies also emerged as a point of contention, with only 48% of respondents indicating that their company had a crediting policy for games. Furthermore, while 71% were confident their name would appear in the credits, this confidence dropped to 41% if they left the studio before the project’s completion.
In response to these findings, the IGDA issued a call-to-action to the industry to address issues such as layoffs and talent retention. The survey also highlighted the need for companies to take actionable steps to support their employees and promote sustainable growth. Despite some concerns, 67% of respondents reported positive relations between employees or contractors and management.