The Women in Games Conference brings together industry experts, innovators, and enthusiasts to discuss a range of topics, from empowering women in gaming to addressing misogyny and promoting sustainability within the industry. We found the conference particularly meaningful, especially since we focus on moderating voice chat interactions to combat toxicity and protect users. Our Modulate colleagues were thrilled to attend this year's conference to listen to insightful panels, keynotes, and discussions that highlighted the challenges and opportunities for women in the gaming world. Here’s a recap of some of our key takeaways from the conference:
Sheri Graner-Ray’s Reflections on a 20-Year Journey
Sheri Graner-Ray, a game designer and author, kicked off the conference by reflecting on her journey in the gaming industry. In her poignant keynote address, she addressed her younger self, offering advice on imposter syndrome, networking, and career progression. She emphasized the importance of building a strong network, staying active in industry organizations, and never taking a step down in title. Sheri’s inspiring story resonated with us and served as a reminder of the resilience and determination needed to succeed in the gaming world.
Sheri spoke about the need for resilience and determination, which echoes our experience at Modulate as we’re regularly exposed to toxic conversations in the process of developing our models and researching heavy topics. Our work often brings us face-to-face with the darker side of gaming and online culture—misogyny and harassment in voice chat. Sheri’s words were a reminder that change takes unwavering commitment and that the progress we’re making, step by step, is worth the effort.
Tackling Misogyny in Gaming Spaces
The panel discussion on misogyny in gaming hit close to home for me. At Modulate, we create machine learning models to detect and mitigate toxic behavior in voice chat through ToxMod. A significant portion of the toxicity we address involves sexism and harassment, and it’s sobering to see how pervasive these issues are.
Our mission to eradicate toxicity is rooted in fairness - we train our models on well-balanced datasets to ensure robustness across different demographic axes. Additionally, our internal commitment to diversity reflects our values: more than half of our machine learning team are women or non-binary, a fact that fills us with hope and pride.
Hearing the panelists discuss the impact of misogyny on mental health and career opportunities underscored the urgency of what we do. It’s not just about technology; it’s about creating safe spaces where everyone, regardless of gender, can thrive and enjoy gaming.
Empowering Girls in Gaming and Education
Another panel focused on empowering girls in gaming and education, which deeply resonated with us. At Modulate, we’re all about giving people voices - both figuratively and literally. Seeing initiatives aimed at encouraging girls to play and create games was incredibly inspiring. Panelists emphasized the importance of providing girls with role models, promoting girls clubs in schools, and using reverse mentoring to tap into young women’s perspectives. The panel highlighted the need to give girls a voice, encourage them to play and create games, and bridge the gender gap in gaming through education and awareness.
Games and Culture: Promoting Sustainability and Engagement
The final panel explored the intersection of games and sustainability, emphasizing the potential of games as a tool for educating players about pressing issues such as climate change. Panelists discussed the motivational power of games in promoting behavior change and engaging players in meaningful experiences. From interactive storytelling to community engagement, speakers showcased innovative approaches to using games as a platform for social impact and education.
At Modulate we often talk about the power of community engagement in transforming toxic spaces into positive, inclusive ones, and this discussion reminded us of the broader possibilities for games to drive change not just within the gaming culture, but in society as a whole. Hearing about the motivational power of games gives us hope for the future. Whether it is promoting climate awareness or fostering inclusive communities, games have an unparalleled ability to inspire players to take action.
Uniting for Change in the Gaming Industry
As the Women in Games Conference came to a close, we were left inspired and empowered, with a renewed sense of purpose to drive change in the gaming industry. From addressing systemic barriers to promoting diversity and inclusion, the conference provided a platform for meaningful discussions and insights into the challenges and opportunities for women in gaming. Moving forward, the call to action is clear: unite, mentor, and empower women in gaming to shape a more inclusive and sustainable industry for future generations. I’m proud to be a part of this mission, working daily to create tools that protect players and foster safer, more inclusive spaces in gaming.
The Women in Games Conference served as a testament to the strength and resilience of women in the gaming world, and as a rallying cry for continued progress and advocacy in the pursuit of equality and empowerment. With each panel, keynote, and discussion, we were reminded of the transformative power of storytelling, education, and community in shaping a future where women can thrive and lead in the gaming industry.
