GDC 2025 Session Viewer
An Inclusive Soundscape: Diversity in Game Audio Roundtable
Star Victoria Power (Composer & Sound Designer, Slide20XX)
Winter McFarland (Audio Director, Aggro Crab)
Katelyn Isaacson (Singer / Sound Designer, Freelance)
Chase Bethea (Composer / Technical Music Designer, Chase Bethea)
Noa Beazley (Composer & Assistant Professor, Berklee College of Music)
Jamie Lee (Sound Designer, A Shell in the Pit)
Pass Type: All Access Pass, Core Pass, Audio Pass - Get your pass now!
Track: Audio
Format: Roundtable
Vault Recording: TBD
Audience Level: All
The video game industry, like many tech-focused fields, continues to face challenges in diversity and inclusion. While recent social movements have brought increased attention to these issues, there remains significant work to be done. As industry professionals with firsthand experience as diverse voices in game audio, we aim to lead vital discussions on fostering lasting change.
This year, we're expanding our roundtable to a three-day format. Each day will focus on different aspects of diversity in game audio, providing a comprehensive look at the challenges faced by underrepresented groups and strategies for creating a more inclusive industry.
Day 1: Bridging Invisible Divides: Fostering Empathy and Understanding in Game Audio
Day 2: Actionable Inclusion: Navigating Diverse Realities in Game Audio
Day 3: Reshaping the Soundscape: Fine Tuning Systemic Change
Through these themed discussions, we'll address topics such as cultural navigation, hiring challenges, and the balance between authenticity and professionalism.
Takeaway
Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of challenges facing diverse game audio professionals and enhance their awareness of unconscious biases. They'll learn practical tools for promoting diversity in hiring and team-building, creating inclusive work environments, and driving industry-wide change.
Intended Audience
This roundtable is for all game audio professionals, from entry-level to veterans, including those from underrepresented groups and allies. It's relevant for individual contributors, team leads, hiring managers, and decision-makers interested in inclusivity. Anyone involved in game audio or shaping the industry's culture will find valuable insights for promoting diversity.