-- This event has ended. Watch the recording of the talk here! --

These days, no-one can deny the importance of video games. Every second person in Germany plays games, but developers should examine the social responsibility this entails. How do the games we make influence society? Why is diversity important? Is the title of this talk just clickbait or can games really save the world? And is there actual proof for such grandiose claims? (Spoiler: There is.)

Beck Niederländer from the initiative “Keinen Pixel den Faschisten” will answer those questions and more in this talk with the intriguing title “Why video games can save the world”. The talk is the first session in our new online event series Gamecity Impulse. In this series Gamecity Hamburg presents talks and discussions about the topics of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion. It took place on May 5, 6-8 pm CEST.

-- This event has ended. Watch the recording of the talk here! --

Why are we starting the Gamecity Impulse online event series?

Gamers are diverse: About 2,2 billion people around the world play video games, coming from a multitude of ethnic and religious backgrounds, nationalities, genders and sexual identities, abilities, age and language groups. The communities that form around games and the teams that make the makes aren't always as diverse. This has already sparked a host of discussions throughout the games industry and community. 

Also, for the games industry, diversity is not exclusively a question of social responsibility. Drawing from different experiences and perspectives is especially useful in the production of cultural and creative products like video games and makes teams more productive and innovative. In a job market that is as heavily marked by a shortage in skilled professionals as IT-related fields are, it’s crucial for organizations to take a credible stance to provide diverse and discrimination-free work environments to successfully compete in the “war for talent”.

The German games industry has started to address the topic of diversity in different ways, by starting the joint declaration “Hier spielt Vielfalt”, as well as engaging in projects, discussions, and initiatives as individual companies, associations and people.

As Gamecity Hamburg, we want to contribute to the important discourse by hosting talks and panel discussions on diversity-related topics in different fields of the games industry and gaming culture in our new digital event series “Gamecity Impulse” throughout 2021. We hope to help raise awareness, start discussions, provide for thought as well as offer industry insights on ways to improve equality, diversity and inclusion.