The lack of diversity in the games industry is a disappointment to Mari Baker, CEO and president of Playfirst. The Diner Dash developer boss is not happy with the lack of diversity in the makeup of development teams.
"I think a lot of people when they're building companies think 'I'm pretty good, I'll hire a bunch of people like me,’” said Baker. “When you're a white guy in a suit, that's your thought, and you end up getting companies like that. I think there are lots of different approaches to success, but the diversity of ideas is what leads you to breakthroughs. I think a lot of people don't necessarily think about it."
Though women represent a very noticeable minority in the workforce, to target women, both in terms of games and staffing, is inherently not the way to look at it. "I think that robust discussion and innovation comes from that mixture of ideas and skill sets."
"So I don't when I build a team consciously try to say 'I am going to get more women on board', but I think having that attitude valuing different views and mindsets helps to create an environment where you can build a more diverse team.”
"Certainly for Playfirst it helps us to be really true and honest about serving the female market as well. I don't think that women when it comes to a game specifically want to feel like it is made for women.”
"There's a degree to which I just want play a good game, and I'm not trying to identify myself as a woman in choosing that game. I'm identifying myself as someone who wants to play a good and interesting game."
[Thanks GI.biz]
