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March 9-13, 2026
Moscone CenterSan Francisco, CA

Agenda

Acquire & Retain Diversity Roundtable: Challenges, Successes, and Future Strategies (Presented by the IGDA)

Dennis Mathews  (Founder & CEO, Revelation Interactive LLC)
Location: Room 304, South Hall
Date: Thursday, March 12
Time: 10:30 am - 11:30 am
Pass Type: Festival Pass, Game Changer Pass - Get your pass now!
Audience Level: All
Track: Culture & Sustainability, Career
Format: Roundtable
Vault Recording: Not Recorded
Audience Level: All

Acquisition and retention of diverse talent continues to be one of the most pressing challenges in the gaming industry. Hosted by the IGDA Black In Gaming SIG, this roundtable will bring together developers, leaders, and advocates to discuss the unique barriers that underrepresented talent faces, highlight successful programs that have made a positive impact, and explore actionable strategies that studios can adopt to create more inclusive environments. By combining perspectives from across the industry, participants will not only learn from real-world success stories but also engage in collaborative dialogue about future directions for diversity and inclusion.

Takeaway

Participants will leave the roundtable with a deeper understanding of the systemic challenges that impact the acquisition and retention of diverse talent in the gaming industry. They will explore real-world examples of programs, initiatives, and best practices that have successfully supported underrepresented developers. Attendees will gain practical strategies and collaboratively generated ideas from peers, fostering actionable approaches to creating inclusive and supportive workplace environments.

Intended Audience

Game development professionals, studio executives, HR managers, educators, and anyone interested in fostering inclusivity and retaining diverse talent in the industry.