It’s obvious since stepping down as CEO of Wardog I haven’t been as publicly engaged with the games industry. I’ve been quiet. Here’s why. The past few years I’d engage with trade unions, supported other studios, educational institutions and even government to push for changes that matter to me. Building sustainable opportunities for creatives. Supporting working class artists. Encouraging more creatively independent studios. These things matter to me. This is why I build my own businesses, because I struggled through my career and want to help people like me succeed. I’ve tried so hard to change things at a higher level but it’s like fighting an avalanche. I never really felt welcome in executive spheres. Part of it is because I’m an artist and most business leaders are not. Some of it might also be because I’m a woman. I’ve sat in studio leadership meetings and heard comments like “diversity has been achieved”. They’re talking about their employees. Because when I looked around the room it was 12 men, and me. One of those men told me to be quiet when discussing education. I love games, I love art, I love working with creatives. But I do not love the games industry. So for now I’m just focusing on things I enjoy, art, writing, spending time with other creatives. I know I’ll come back around to trying again. I worry for artists. I worry for the UK games industry. But change can be small too, so I’m focusing on helping and encouraging a few people instead. Because I don’t need to change the world, maybe I cant, but if I can help a handful of people achieve their dreams while also doing what I love then that’s time well spent too. And I’m grateful to have people encouraging me too. Game devs deserve more creative autonomy. We deserve more trust. Gamers deserve more creative games. Honestly I think the best experience I had the past 6 years was working with so many amazing studios that do value artists. The ones that treated my team as their own. Small human wins.

Steam player count being visible is doing irreparable and unessesary damage to a lot of games.