DONNA
For an equal industry
In 2021, only 21.4 % of game industry workers in Sweden are women¹. While the number is slowly growing, it’s still nowhere close to corresponding with the distribution of gamers, which previous studies in Europe has clocked at an average of 43 % women.²
DONNA is a local initiative of the University of Skövde to bring more women into the industry – in part by means of getting more women into game development education. After all, as founder Jenny Brusk explains, “it’s obvious that unless we manage to recruit more female students to our courses, game companies will have a more difficult time recruiting women”
Every year in relation to Sweden Game Conference, DONNA DAY takes place: an event where students and industry can network and exchange experiences.
Our contribution
There are many important initiatives dedicated to furthering the cause of women and non-binary in the games industry, with DONNA being more local to our roots in Sweden.
We are proud to collaborate closely with DONNA to support their efforts to inspire women and non-binary students to pursue careers and entrepreneurship in game development. As Gold sponsors of DONNA Day 2022, we invest in the future of our industry by helping more applicants join regardless of financial situation, with travel, lodging and food all covered throughout DONNA Day as well as free access to Sweden Game Conference, one of the country’s biggest game conferences. We are also happy to contribute as mentors and speakers at DONNA Day, sharing our knowledge and experiences to inspire passionate creatives who share our ideals of diversity and equality.
We hope to soon be able to share exciting information about a new collaboration.
¹ Dataspelsbranschen spelutvecklarindex 2021, Nyckeltal
² Videogames in Europe: Consumer Study, European Summary Report November 2012, Ipsos Media CT
LGBTQI Certification
An industry for everyone
RFSL’s goal is to become totally unnecessary. As one of the oldest of its kind in the world, the non-profit organization works with and for the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and intersex people (LGBTQI). When society is characterised by the respect and acceptance of people’s differences, that goal is achieved. There hasn’t been a more self-evident cause since The Council of Elrond decided to hurl the One Ring into the depths of Mount Doom. Which is why Kinda Brave joins this ongoing Quest.
Our contribution
In early 2022, Kinda Brave took its first steps with RFSL in becoming the world’s first LGBTQI certified games company. Since then, all employees within our publishing division, including the management of all our studios, have participated in a six-month certification process focusing on diversity and understanding. This included training in topics such as human rights, norms and power, reception and work environment issues, laws and rights, discrimination and LGBTQI terminology.
Kinda Brave was given the LGBTQI certification, as the first games company in the world, in October 2022.
This experience will contribute to a safer, more inclusive work environment that everyone in our group will benefit from – regardless of identity or background. And until RFSL’s goal to become redundant has been realized, we’ll simply keep working towards a games industry for everyone.
“We are extremely proud and delighted to have Kinda Brave certified by RFSL as the first company in the games industry. Gaming should be accessible to everyone, regardless of who you are. When publishers and developers take further steps to become more inclusive, wider society is invited to be a part of the industry. Both as workers and players.”
Karl Yves Vallin
Managing Director RFSL Utbildning AB
