Dusseldorf/Germany, March 08, 2023 – On today's International Women's Day, the German publisher astragon Entertainment, a subsidiary of Team17 Group PLC, would like to draw attention to the situation of women in the German and international games industry with a number of actions. Although their situation has improved significantly in recent years, women are still heavily underrepresented in the industry.
In 2021, the share of women in the European games industry reached only 22%, according to the ISFE Key Facts Report. The game, the German games industry association, most recently estimated a figure of 25% for the German games industry. Other studies have come up with similar low percentages. Yet almost 50% of all gamers are female. So the fact that women are not interested enough in video games cannot be the reason for the low percentage of women in the games industry.
At astragon, on the other hand, the situation is different: With 44% female and 2% non-binary employees, the German publisher is well above the industry average and also wants to encourage other companies to promote diversity within the industry. Julia Pfiffer, CEO at astragon, is convinced that more diversity not only improves teamwork, but also affects work efficiency positively "The more diverse the team, the larger the pool of ideas a company can access through its employees. Different life experiences also bring a broader spectrum of mindsets, perspectives and approaches to a work environment".
To promote these values both internally and externally, the German publisher has launched a whole series of campaigns to celebrate International Women's Day:
astragon publishes extensive video series for International Women's Day
In an entire video series for International Women's Day, which was filmed together with the Cologne-based media production company Tom & Perla, astragon gives several women from its own ranks a chance to speak for themselves. In the first video, women from different departments talk about what video games mean to them, why they found their way into the games industry, what they think of the diversity approach at astragon and what needs to change in the industry. The exciting video can be seen here.
Further astragon videos on diversity will be released in the course of March
How is diversity at astragon perceived by its own employees? What makes the management team at astragon, consisting of Julia Pfiffer and Tim Schmitz, so invincible? Which astragon games do the employees like to play the most? What are the most absurd misconceptions about women in gaming and the games industry and why are they not true? All these questions will be answered in the upcoming videos of the astragon video series, which will be posted on all the publisher's usual channels during the month of March.
Female simulation streamers fill March with streams of astragon games
Work simulations are mainly known for their male target group as well as for male letsplayers and streamers. However, the genre offers much more. astragon would also like to promote diversity in its own target groups and has therefore been able to win over selected female streamers with an affinity for simulations. They will play selected astragon titles on the publisher’s channels as well as on their own channels during the month of March. This approach is intended to set an example for more diverse simulation games and for more female content creators in the public focus. The complete streaming schedule as well as an introduction of the female simulation streamers will soon be available on all astragon channels.
A glimpse into the industry for young girls on Girls' Day 2023
For several years now, astragon has been inviting female school students to the publisher's office to give them a look behind the scenes of a video game publisher and, in particular, to give them an introduction to the professions of product manager and producer. On April 27, astragon will once again invite interested female pupils to the office in the heart of Düsseldorf. Interested people from the surrounding area can register here for as long as there are still free places available.
