Playground Games is an award-winning AAA game development studio, established in 2010, with a talented team of over 450 employees.
The problem
Playground Games (PG) faced a significant gender imbalance within its workforce. At the time of the company’s formation, of the company’s 180 employees, only 10 were women, and they were predominantly in support roles. This lack of diversity presented challenges in fostering an inclusive and representative environment. Recognising the importance of addressing these disparities, PG sought to enhance female representation across all levels of the organisation, retain and develop female talent, and build an inclusive community within the studio.
The solution
In response to these challenges, PG established the Women@PG (W@PG) employee network. W@PG worked closely with the senior leadership team (SLT) to advocate for better gender representation and cultivate a workplace that supports underrepresented gender groups.
Key initiatives included:
- Joining the Women in Science and Engineering (WISE) initiative – PG became the first games company to support this programme, demonstrating a commitment to encouraging women in STEM careers.
- Enhancing recruitment practices – Partnerships were established with diverse recruitment platforms and universities to broaden access and attract female talent.
- Supporting career development – PG sponsored women for technology-related degrees and created opportunities for upskilling female employees.
- Promoting workplace accessibility and inclusion – The network implemented initiatives such as the Government’s Disability Confident scheme and provided menstruation and menopause training to improve workplace support systems.
The results
The efforts of W@PG have delivered substantial, measurable results:
- Increased female representation – PG has seen an 18% rise in the number of female employees.
- Enhanced employee wellbeing – Training sessions and social initiatives have created a more supportive and inclusive atmosphere.
- More inclusive workspaces – Policies and practices implemented through W@PG have fostered a culture of diversity and inclusion.
These initiatives have set the foundation for sustained progress by aligning W@PG’s goals with PG’s organisational values through strategic planning and full funding. PG’s commitment to diversity and inclusion has been instrumental in driving meaningful change and establishing a model for gender equality within the gaming industry.
The information contained within this resource was accurate at the time of its publication. This article was created in May 2025.