Making events a safer place for everyone should be the highest priority
Game Conference Guide Insights - May 2023
“What do you think about events without alcohol?” a question from the audience at Reboot Develop Blue 2023 was adressed to me while sitting on a panel discussing business development. It was a two-part question. The first part I forgot. I am sure it was important, but the latter resonated the most and a few hours later it was exacerbated by an absolute killer line-up of ladies at a different panel.
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Now back to the blog post.
Anya Combs, Chantal Ryan, Ashley Riott and Leigh Alexander (pictured above) we’re pointing fingers and having open conversation about safety at events as part of their panel “WTF, it’s 2023: Conversations we (still) need to have about being a woman in the games industry.” in front of a packed outdoor space next to a pool.
They did an anonymous survey before the conference about what makes events (un)safe. Not surprisingly, top answers from the poll were:
Women make feel unsafe:
Alcohol
Men
Dark crowded spaces
Women make feel safe:
Women
No alcohol
There is a blueprint for a diverse and safer event right there. Unfortunately, the panel with eye-opening insights and personal stories wasn’t recorded nor broadcasted, but the panellists said they will share anonymous results from the survey.
I don’t remember the precise words I used to answer the question from the beginning. I was suggesting regulating alcohol within the event venue by introducing a special tax (+50%) and cutting down coupons offered as the only incentive to go to a party or mixer. They should cover non-alcoholic drinks only. Welcome drinks? How about a fresh juice or just water. Many are rushing from airports or hotels directly to opening mixers, badge pick-up without a chance to eat something properly. Mixer? How about mocktails with sassy names?
I come from a culture with deeply rooted alcohol use to cure, calm, celebrate but also as a force to destroy families and relationships. As a kid my tooth ache was calmed with a sugar cube dipped in a strong liquor for example, it was also used for muscle aches. It smelled horrible. When restrictions allowed to us to travel again, I stopped drinking at events to keep my mind focused, to remember conversations, be more engaging but also my body doesn’t have that much stamina nor energy in the evenings.
My job is to interact with people and network, which makes it harder, when consuming alcoholic beverages. I survived GDC, gamescom and few celebrations last year without a single drop. Yes, it raised some eyebrows, but it can be done. I am not saying, I won’t enjoy a glass of wine at a dinner here and there, but drinking at events is a big NO for me.
The smoking and coffee culture is very strong in Croatia. It is allowed to smoke in-doors unless a food is served on the premises. What I am seeing as a non-smoker there is a very slow movement toward banning smoking in-doors, but majority of bars / cafes are still allowing it. Owners are afraid they will lose customers.
A similar situation was in Slovakia, where I was born and raised. There were protests. Owners were very loud and claiming they will lose their livelihood and will have to close down permanently because only smoking patrons are bringing revenue.
What they didn’t saw was an audience looking for a place to have a coffee, drink, or conversation and not to stink like an ashtray afterwards. By passing the law new opportunities were created. And just like that, new customers arrived. The protesters had to adopt to a new normal, or they went elsewhere.
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What I am trying to say is, by creating a safer space, you are inviting more diverse group of attendees and attracting even those who might be still deciding. Cutting down alcohol, or reducing it is not enough to create a safe space on events alone, which is a completely different topic I would like to explore in future editions of Game Conference Guide Insights. But it is a start. A very good one.
And yes, it gets harder when restaurant and bar is brining revenue to the venue and the higher the revenue is, the management will be more open to rent the venue again even offer a helping hand or a discount. It is a tough call for event organizers, but there are ways how to do it. Alcohol will be part of the events, but the events can be more welcoming and introduce a different set of activities not directly tied to consumption.
Personally, I am not a huge fan of parties. I tend to skip them due to loud environment and anxieties I get from crowded spaces where I can’t hear my thoughts. This year I invited few friends to paint mini figures to decompress after a full day of networking. Now, to be completely transparent, there was alcohol served and delivered by a waiter based on orders from the participants themselves. The drinks offered at the start was only water.
The moment you start painting, your hands and mind are concentrating on thin lines and are occupied with mixing the colours, the conversation dies down and you are entering very calming flow. This activity is going to become a permanent side-event at future Reboot Develop events and the plan it is to make them bigger.
Speaking of painting mini figures. I want to thank Polish companies that made it possible. Huge shout out to Scibor Miniatures & Spellcrow – Argatoria for providing samples of their amazing minis to everyone. Galaktus & Render Cube for providing refreshments. Rebel for fast drying Army Paints. Ice Code Games and PixelAnt Games for full goodie-bags and Artur Maksara from Intel for enthusiasm and coordinating the event remotely.
From an organizer perspective, your responsibility is to make sure the newcomers and regulars have the same playing field for interactions. Many are going to travel to a foreign country for the first time, and they might not have friends or safe network to rely on during the event. There is a responsibility for all of us. To take care of each other, watch our backs and be there if someone needs help.
And to end this piece, I will quote Anya Combs, who was calling out those in position of power: “Don't buy young women alcohol.”
[Game Conference Guide is tracking games industry & game developers events, trade shows, festivals, conferences and events around the world.]
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Pavol Buday, curator @ GCG