The #1ReasonToBe panel at the Game Developers Conference (GDC) has long been a platform for empowered women from emerging markets to share their stories and experiences in the game development industry. After a brief hiatus, the panel returned at this year’s GDC, featuring six women from different parts of the gaming world. Laia Bee, CEO of Pincer Games and president of the Uruguayan Game Developers Association, Indrani Ganguly, studio head and game designer at Duronto Games, Isabel Vásquez, video game producer/CEO at Pink Bear Games, Alexandra Marzuqa Giacaman, software developer/musician and sound designer at AyHungry and Micromoon Bugs, Aevee Bee, narrative designer at Future Club, and Bahiyya Khan, game designer, writer, and filmmaker, all shared their motivations for becoming game developers.
The #1ReasonToBe panel was initiated in 2013 by Brenda Romero and Leigh Alexander to give visibility to the work and ambitions of women in the game development industry. Three years later, Rami Ismail expanded the panel’s scope to include geographically diverse individuals who have faced challenges in accessing platforms like GDC. The panel aims to amplify the voices of underrepresented game developers from all over the world.
In 2021, Laia Bee took on the task of organizing the panel, combining the visions of Romero, Alexander, and Ismail. However, the GDC made the decision to cancel the session in 2021 and 2022 due to other advocacy and diversity programming fulfilling a similar role. This decision sparked frustration from Ismail and others who saw the panel as an essential platform for underrepresented voices. Interestingly enough, GDC brought back the panel this year in a session organized and moderated by Bee. It is worth noting that the panel did not include representation from the Israel point of view in light of the October 7 events and the Gaza war.
Laia Bee, a game developer based in Uruguay, highlighted the importance of the #1ReasonToBe panel and the need to listen to different backgrounds and stories from countries that may be unfamiliar culturally. She emphasized that the game industry is about people and their real human stories and passion put into every title. Bee expressed her frustration with the challenges faced by marginalized communities and the importance of defending and resisting for their rights.
Indrani Ganguly, a queer game designer and community builder from Mumbai, India, shared her journey into game development. She expressed the difficulties of breaking into the industry, particularly for those from countries with lower median salaries. Ganguly highlighted the importance of community support and crowdfunding in enabling her to attend events like Gen Con and GDC, which in turn fueled her belief in her potential as a game developer.
Isabel Vásquez, CEO of Pink Bear Games, shared her personal journey into game development. Despite initially pursuing a different career path, Vásquez followed her childhood dream of making games and partnered with her husband on their first game studio. Through Pink Bear Games, she focuses on making social impact games, tackling important issues like child abuse prevention and education. Vásquez’s commitment to creating games with a purpose aligns with her belief in the power of video games to convey meaningful messages and create positive change.
Bahiyya Khan, a game designer, writer, and filmmaker from Johannesburg, South Africa, discussed the challenges faced by the game industry, including mass layoffs and job insecurity. She also expressed her concern for global conflicts and the impact they have on people’s lives. Khan questioned the significance of stable jobs in the industry and emphasized the need to address larger societal issues such as genocide. Her passionate plea for justice received cheers from the audience.
Aevee Bee, a game developer known for her unconventional and artistic games, spoke about her ongoing desire to create games despite the challenges she faces. She emphasized the importance of pushing boundaries and creating games that cater to niche audiences rather than conforming to mass appeal. Bee encouraged fellow game developers to embrace their uniqueness and not be afraid to express themselves through their art, even if it means not everyone will appreciate it.
Alexandra Marzuqa Giacaman, a professional musician, sound designer, and developer from Chile, shared her personal journey of finding her self-worth in the industry. As a woman in a male-dominated field, she faced challenges in feeling like she belonged. However, she realized the impact she could make through her work and advocated for more women to pursue careers in the IT and video game industries.
The #1ReasonToBe panel at GDC provided a platform for these women to share their motivations, experiences, and aspirations as game developers. Their stories shed light on the diversity of voices within the industry and the importance of amplifying underrepresented perspectives. Despite the challenges they face, these women continue to make a significant impact through their work, creating games that tackle important social issues and push the boundaries of artistic expression. As the industry continues to evolve, it is crucial to listen to these stories and support the diverse voices that contribute to its growth and development.
