The Women in Games Manifesto
The Women in Games Manifesto 2026
The Women in Games Manifesto 2026 sets out our commitment to achieving a fairer and more inclusive games industry.
Originally published in 2024, the Manifesto has been updated for 2026 to reflect the current state of the industry. While awareness and engagement have grown, the scales remain unbalanced. Women continue to be under-represented across the games workforce, particularly in leadership and decision-making roles, despite making up nearly half of all players.
The Manifesto exists to address this ongoing imbalance and to support sustained, collective action across the global games industry.
What is the Women in Games Manifesto?
The Women in Games Manifesto is a declaration of intent and a framework for change.
It outlines 14 reasons why gender equality in games matters, highlighting the connection between who makes games and whose stories, perspectives, and experiences are represented. The Manifesto positions fairness and inclusion as essential to the long-term creativity, sustainability, and cultural impact of the industry.
The Manifesto guides the work of Women in Games across five key areas:
Industry · Education · Policy · Community · Culture
Why has the Manifesto been updated?
Two years on from its initial publication, progress has not been sufficient.
Women and gender-diverse people in games continue to experience inequality in areas such as pay, leadership, safety, and visibility. Structural barriers remain, and rapid technological change – including AI and immersive digital environments – risks reinforcing existing bias if inclusion is not actively prioritised.
The 2026 update reflects both the progress made and the reality that continued focus and accountability are required to rebalance the scales.
A living approach
Alongside the Manifesto, Women in Games is developing Women in Games Voices: The Living Guide – an evolving platform that captures and shares the lived experiences of women working in the games industry.
Through articles, research, video, podcasts, and learning resources, the Living Guide ensures that women’s voices continue to inform best practice and policy as the industry evolves.
This approach recognises that fairness is not static and must be reviewed and reinforced over time.
Working together for change
The Women in Games Manifesto 2026 is delivered through collaboration with our global network of Corporate, Education, and Individual Ambassadors, alongside our Chapters, Associates and Partners.
Equality in games is a shared responsibility. By working together, we can help build an industry that better reflects the diversity of the audiences it serves.
Get involved
The Women in Games Manifesto 2026 is an open invitation to studios, educators, policymakers, and individuals to support a fair playing field for everyone working in games.
Together, we can continue to challenge imbalance and help shape a more inclusive future for the games industry.