INTRODUCING OUR PHENOMENAL WOMEN IN GAMES GLOBAL AWARDS FINALISTS

We are delighted to announce the shortlists for the 2022 Women in Games Global Awards – and to showcase the incredible work that so many women and organisations are doing all over the world to support gender equity and inclusion in games and esports.

The Women in Games Global Awards 2022 will be broadcast on Saturday September 17th (time TBC) and are supported by Creative Assembly, Dovetail Games, Rocksteady and Testronic.

Two of our categories are specifically voted for by the public – Favourite Woman Game Protagonist and Best Representation of Women in a Video Game – and we urge as many of our community as possible to get involved. You can place your votes for those categories here.

The full list of finalists are here:

IMPACT AWARDS

Amplifier of Diversity in the Industry – Media

We want to honour those who are committed to bringing about change. Those working in the media who play a significant role in promoting, amplifying and supporting diversity in the industry.

SHORTLIST:

  • Emilie Karlsten Hedgren
  • Emily Evans
  • Katy Berry
  • Sarah Buric
  • Savina Ciaramella

Community Group making an impact in Diversity

Community groups support the grass roots of the games industry and help connect people across the globe around games and gaming. This award is to honour a group which has had a significant impact.

SHORTLIST:

  • Code Coven
  • Melanin Gamers
  • Spillhuset Bergen
  • Syndicat des Travailleurs et Travailleuses du Jeu Vidéo
  • WINGS

Individual Diversity Advocate

Shining a light on the people who are working to improve diversity in the games industry through their advocacy, actions and support.

SHORTLIST:

  • Dhayana Sena
  • JC Lau
  • Jennifer Lufau
  • Sara Machado
  • Tamsin O’Luanaigh

Most Inclusive Esports Initiative

This award celebrates the events, interventions, programs and actions which are helping bring about real change in the esports industry.

SHORTLIST:

  • DivE – Non Profit Organisation to promote gender diversity in Esports
  • Indie Esports Platform
  • The Rebecca Heineman Cup
  • Women in Esports Initiative – British Esports
  • Women In Games France Esports

Most Inclusive Video Games Initiative

This award celebrates the events, interventions, programs and actions which are helping bring about real change in the games industry.

SHORTLIST:

  • Fathima Minha Farook – Creating Educational and Entertainment games for kids and adult learners.
  • Gender in Play – Empowering Finnish game studios to create more diverse characters and worldviews in their games.
  • nDreams Academy – An engagement programme to improve the accessibility of a career in games.
  • Prosearium – An initiative to document African women and their roles in games.
  • Two Falls – Nishu Takuatshina – A game about indigenous people, created with indigenous people.

EDUCATION AWARDS

Games or Esports Diversity Initiative

For groups, teams and communities which have been working to advocate and support diversity in their academic institutions.

SHORTLIST:

  • #EveryGamerCounts: Diversity in Esports and Gaming – Goethe-Institut South Africa
  • Changing The Game: Discover How Esports and Gaming are Redefining Business, Careers, Education and The Future
  • Coffee and Cookies – Women in Games Society and Annual Game Jam – Confetti – Nottingham Trent
  • Irvine Valley College Esports
  • Méliès Game Week and Game Jam – Méliès College

Student Achievement

Celebrating the next generation of games industry talent, the student achievement award shines a light on those who are already showing promise in their studies.

SHORTLIST:

  • Anino Ogunjobi – London College of Communication, University of the Arts London, England
  • Anny Caroline Sousa – IFRJ – Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia do Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
  • Carla Sousa – Lusófona University, CICANT, Portugal
  • Lauren Ansdell-Miller – University of Portsmouth, England
  • Yasmin Ahmed – London College of Communication, University of the Arts London, England

Games or Esports Educator

Providing dedicated and inspirational staff members with the recognition they deserve. Educators are pivotal to championing diversity in the industry.

SHORTLIST:

  • Dr Susannah Emery – University of South Australia
  • Greden Camacho – Independent Esports Educator
  • Heather Cole – Reed College of Media, West Virginia University
  • Jay Shin – University of West London
  • Kaitlin Teniente – St. Mary’s University

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT

Lifetime Achievement Award

This award is to recognise those women who have had a constant, positive impact both on the industry and those around them. They pave the way for others to succeed.

SHORTLIST:

  • Deepali Bhanushali
  • Karoline Forsberg
  • Laila Shabir
  • Liz Prince
  • Rebecca Heineman
  • Sarah Fuchs
  • Tamsin O’Luanaigh

PUBLIC VOTE

Favourite Woman Game Protagonist

This award showcases the brilliant protagonists featured in games, allowing the public to have their say on their favourite.

SHORTLIST:

  • Alex Chen – Life is Strange True Colors
  • Aloy – Horizon Forbidden West
  • Barbara Gordon/Batgirl – Gotham Knights
  • Jeanne – Two Falls (Nishu Takuatshina)
  • Scarlett Spinz – Cluster Tumble

Best Representation Of Women In A Video Game

Which games have featured women in a way that has really stayed with you? This publicly voted award seeks to highlight the games which have given women fantastic representation.

SHORTLIST:

  • Dark Nights with Poe and Munro
  • Jeanne – Two Falls (Nishu Takuatshina)
  • Michelle Zou, Bigpoint GmbH
  • Spellbound: The Magic Within – Wyrdren Games
  • Tasto Alpha & The Tower
  • The Glass Ceiling Games by Story Juice

WOMEN IN GAMES COMMUNITY AWARDS

Outstanding Corporate Ambassador of the Year

Our Corporate Ambassadors play a pivotal role in the work that Women in Games is able to do each year. This award is to recognise the impact, the outreach and the support they have provided.

You can view our full list of Corporate Ambassadors here: https://www.womeningames.org/ambassadors/corporate/

 Outstanding Individual Ambassador of the Year

The Individual Ambassadors are the backbone of the organisation’s community work. They champion our aims and ideals, helping the industry become a more inclusive and diverse place.

See all of our incredible Individual Ambassadors here: https://www.womeningames.org/ambassadors/individuals/

Congratulations to all our Finalists and we look forward to celebrating their achievements during the Women in Games Global Awards ceremony on Saturday September 17th.