Agenda

How do different disciplines solve the same game-breaking problem — and what happens when bias enters the room? In this candid collaborative session, five Black professionals across narrative, systems, production, and executive roles explore how design decisions get made under pressure. Using real-world examples, panelists reflect on how their roles approach challenges differently and how cultural perspectives shape creative collaboration. This isn't about performing the right answer — it's about surfacing the real thinking behind cross-functional problem-solving. Attendees will gain insight into both technical trade-offs and social dynamics that affect every team. A must-attend for anyone interested in leadership, inclusion, or surviving late-stage development with your design integrity intact.

Takeaway

Attendees gain insight into how narrative, systems, and production roles approach late-stage design challenges differently, and how Black professionals navigate bias while collaborating. Concrete examples reveal decision-making tradeoffs, communication breakdowns, and practical strategies for improving cross-functional teamwork in high-pressure development environments.

Intended Audience

This session is for all game development professionals, from students to seasoned developers, across disciplines. Anyone interested in how teams solve complex design problems and how cultural perspectives influence collaboration will benefit from this candid, behind-the-scenes look at decision-making in real-world production environments.