Women / Tech
Making space for Bristol’s girl gamers
Being a woman who wants to work in gaming can undoubtedly be a challenge, even in Bristol: this tech-obsessed and often open-minded city. “The UK gaming industry is 86 per cent male and 96 per cent white,” says Dr Constance Fleuriot, co-founder and director of both Women’s Tech Hub, and Grrrl Games Bristol, two organisations working to encourage more women into the technology and engineering sectors and into games design, respectively.
However, the people consuming the games are far more equally split – “as players, women are almost at 50 per cent, and possibly more when it comes to mobile games,” Constance continues. “In response to a young woman quietly asking me where all the women were at a Bristol Games Hub launch event a few years ago, we decided to do something.”
Grrrl Games events bring together women from different backgrounds, united by an interest in game design
Together with fellow digital designer Jess Linington, who works as a learning manager at Knowle West Media Centre, they set up Grrrl Games and run regular events to create space in the industry for this army of female gamers, who often can feel marginalised or forced to the periphery despite their numbers. Their first jam of 2018 takes place on February 23-24 at the Foundry on Coldharbour lane.
is needed now More than ever
“The jam is open to all women, trans-inclusive, with all levels of experience,” Jess says. “Absolute beginners and games-curious people are very welcome to come along and have a go at designing and making a game in a fun and friendly atmosphere.”
The event – hosted by PlayWest and supported by the Faculty of Environment and Technology at UWE Bristol and PrettyDigital, where Constance also works as a producer – will encourage attendees to work in small groups to come up with and develop game ideas around a theme over the course of two sessions. At the end of the Saturday session, each group will present their ideas.
Emerging technologies like virtual reality (VR) are also explored at Grrrl Games events
Jess and Constance work hard to make the sessions practically accessible, and will be offering a free creche at this month’s jam to make it easier for parents to attend.
“It’s great to welcome new women and see the network develop,” Constance continues. “There is some crossover with Women’s Tech Hub, with people finding either that or Grrrl Games first and then coming to both.
We just like to encourage as many women as possible to come and have a go at making games, whether they play them or not.
“It is nice to have developed a supportive network of women to share our games progress with.”
The Grrrl Games Spring Jam costs £5 and takes place across February 23-24 at UWE Bristol, Coldharbour Lane, BS16 1QY. Sign up to take part in the jam, or find out more about forthcoming events at www.grrrlgames.wordpress.com.
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