The Quebec Video Game Guild is launching a guide to “good practices in diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI)” on Thursday. According to her, it is an essential tool for studios in this industry, because it creates a “healthy work environment” conducive to creativity.
It is the members of the organization, who come from all over Quebec, who have asked in recent months for DEI resources, underlines Béatrice Desjardins-Gagnon, diversity, equity and inclusion advisor at the Guild. This principle aims to recognize “different identities and [à] adopt practices that respect all people who may be marginalized or under-represented” due in particular to their gender, age or ethnic origin, she explains.
The guide therefore suggests that companies evaluate their practices in terms of diversity, equity and inclusion. “Sometimes, people, without realizing it, already have exceptional practices, and they also have certain elements to work on,” illustrates Mme Desjardins-Gagnon.
Thanks to this guide, video game studios will also be able to know how to implement their DEI strategy, step by step. They will also be able to find guidelines regarding the adoption of an inclusive recruitment process. “For example, what are the best practices in writing the job offer,” explains Béatrice Desjardins-Gagnon.
A “collective effort”
The fact that the DEI guide was requested by Guild members testifies to the “collective effort” that is being made in the video games industry in this regard, according to the advisor.
The guide is part of the Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan for the video game industry adopted in July 2021 by the Guild. It partly responds to revelations of sexist behavior and harassment observed in certain companies in the sector made in 2020.
The tool launched on Thursday also contains a section on the prevention of discrimination and harassment. It also presents a list of various resources, including the Interligne organization, which offers support to LGBTQ+ people.
For a video game studio, applying diversity, equity and inclusion practices allows its members to be “innovative and also feel emancipated,” indicates Béatrice Desjardins-Gagnon. “It’s really necessary,” she emphasizes.