Xbox Celebrates International Women’s Day in Support of Women in Gaming

In honor of International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month 2022, Xbox will celebrate the important role of mentorship — to uplift and support the next generation of women in gaming. The Women of Xbox UK Initiative fellowship gave me the chance to be a mentor and join the fray. These include game engineers, sound experts and producers who share their experience and knowledge with young girls to encourage them to enter the gaming industry. One of the greatest joys I have found through mentoring other women is what I call the “Leveling up Moment” — when the culmination of their hard work and resilience meets with breakthrough and success.

While 45% gamers identify themselves as female according to ESA data, we know there’s a significant under-representation in the gaming industry. Only 30% of videogame developers worldwide identify themselves as female. We can make gaming more accessible by increasing the diversity and inclusion of game developers. Although there are still many things to be done, Xbox is proud of its gaming leadership team, which now includes more than half the workforce. Rare has a half-female design and production staff. This was possible because we made inclusivity and diversity a core part of how we build our teams. We remain dedicated to this goal. It’s also imperative to continue to support women once they’re part of the industry, and at Xbox, the Women in Gaming group provides career development, networking opportunities, mentoring and more to encourage retention.

It is important to mentor women and to lead from an empathy place. This encourages them to lift up and support other women and inspires others. Xbox is dedicated to making Xbox a place where all can play and a safe space for them to do so. We hope that more women will become mentors in games so they feel like the heroes in both the game and their lives. 

Join us as Xbox celebrates the voices of women during International Women’s Day, Women’s History Month and beyond:

Create Impact and Connect

Xbox introduces a mentoring program    

Introducing a mentoring program for everyone aimed at partnering women in gaming careers across Xbox’s diverse range of studios and products with aspiring talent, giving them the chance to access to valuable 1:1 coaching sessions with key leaders in select markets such as the US, UK, France, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Japan, and Korea with additional markets to follow. 

This program is designed to generate meaningful interactions with concrete and relevant actions that will foster professional development within the game industry. Xbox will be making the program accessible in many markets starting this month to support and inspire the next generation in female gaming leaders. Mid-March will bring more details.

Game Developers Conference, 2022: Inclusive Leadership at Game Studios

(Pre-recorded Sessions – March 23-24)

As tech experts at Xbox Game Studios share their experiences and career paths during this year’s Game Developers Conference, we invite you to join us. The session will include Mary McGuaneXbox Studio Manager (Obsidian Double Fine, InXile) Kate RaynerThe Coalition’s head of technology; Shannon Loftis, former studio head for World’s Edge; Helen Chiang, corporate vice `president, Minecraft franchise; Kim Swift,Senior director, Cloud Gaming at Xbox Game Studios Publishing Bonnie Ross343 Industries studio head. The powerhouse lineup will discuss the development of the game development team and the future as we move through dynamic changes in our business culture, inclusive recruiting, and community support within the Xbox Game Studios Teams. More information.

Microsoft Rewards for Xbox: Give points to organizations that support women in gaming 

Microsoft Rewards Members in the United States have the opportunity to earn points and donate them to support women gaming. These organizations will appear on Xbox throughout March.  

• Code-loving GirlsGirls Who Code is an organization dedicated to closing the gap between men and women in tech. It provides computing skills training to girls who are either female or not-binary to enable them to take advantage of 21st-century opportunities.
• Games & Online Harassment Hotlinevia Feminist Frequency: The Games and Online Harassment hotline (free, anonymous, and text-based) is an emotional support hotline that was created for gamers. Whether you’re a player, a developer, a streamer, a competitor — any part of this community —we’re here for you, whether that means offering emotional support or finding the referrals and resources that you need. 
• ReDI School of Digital IntegrationReDI School of Digital Integration (non-profit) is an online school which teaches technology to people who are mainly migrants and refugees but don’t have access to any digital education. This includes upskilling for both women and children.
• PretaLab: PretaLab’s mission is to work toward diversity and inclusion in the Technology sector, promoting the employability of Black Brazilian women through a platform that connects Black women in technology and companies.

Xbox users can get Microsoft Rewards points by playing and purchasing Xbox games. You can redeem points for real rewards. Join us today and donate through Xbox. 

Find out more

Xbox Ambassadors Spotlights stories about representation in gaming 

Throughout Women’s History Month, we will be spotlighting stories about representation in gaming from women gamers in the Xbox Ambassadors community. They are the stories of their lives.

Xbox Plays will feature women streamers, game creators and non-profits

Throughout March, the Xbox Plays team will be streaming on the Xbox Twitch channel and feature programming celebrating Women’s History Month. Every week will feature a new theme. Each episode will highlight Women Game Creators, Women Streamer Takeovers, and nonprofits supporting women in technology and gaming careers.

Gears 5 Women’s Tournament Coming March 26

The fifth quarter Gears 5 Women’s TournamentThis event will be held on Saturday, February 26. Watch 32 of the most outstanding all-women team in this event. Gears 5They will be battling it out to win $5,000 worth of prizing. Find out more.

You can watch the entire action starting at 10:00 PT March 26, and receive an exclusive video feed. Gears 5Astro Gaming Prizes and in-game prizes. You can watch the broadcast.

“Women of Xbox UK” Podcast

The “Women of Xbox UK” Podcast will be returning for Season 2 this year, with a brand-new line up of empowering and inspirational leaders. This podcast will highlight extraordinary women working in a variety of positions within the gaming industry, including those who work on Xbox third-party and first-party games. The goal is to inspire young women to pursue a career in the industry.

Here is the Season 1 Content: YouTube | Soundcloud | Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts 

Explore

Explore Movies and Games Curated By Women at Microsoft

This March, celebrate women in entertainment with Microsoft Store and Xbox Game Pass through robust collections of games, movies, and TV curated by women at Microsoft.  From game studios led by women to blockbuster movies with a focus on women’s stories, discover exciting and authentic experiences that bring focus to women creators, main characters and opportunities for individual expression.

A few highlights from the full Xbox games and Windows Games collections spanning creators, main characters, and character creation options include:

Gaming

• SkateBird – Glass Bottom Games, a game studio for women led by glass bottom
  You’re a lonely lil’ skateboarding bird, and your Big Friend has hung up their board for good. Their job sucks, and lately, they’re barely ever home to play with you. You’re gonna fix all that – with the power of skateboarding! 
• Unpacking – From creator Wren Brier
  Unpack like never before in this zen puzzle game where you’ll learn about a character through a variety of moves. Unpacking weaves together a story through the everyday and sentimental belongings you’ll encounter as you decorate and organize each new space throughout the game.
• It takes two –The Game Awards: Game of the Year in 2021
  You will play as Cody and May, a couple who are fighting for their lives. Trapped in a fantastical world, they’re reluctantly challenged with saving their fractured relationship by the suave love guru Dr. Hakim. 

Movies & TV

• Encanto – Walt Disney Animation Studios’ ENCANTO tells the tale of the Madrigals, an extraordinary family living in a magical house in the Colombian mountains. But when Mirabel, the only ordinary family member, discovers the magic surrounding their home is in danger, she decides that she might just be her exceptional family’s last hope.
• Beans – Written and directed by Tracey Deer, an Indigenous creator, this film follows a preteen’s involvement with protests during a government standoff to protect Mohawk burial grounds in Kahnawake, Canada. 

You can view the collection in every Xbox region. Visitors to both the Xbox and Microsoft Store on Windows can find community picks from women at Microsoft at any time by searching for “Women’s History” and related terms. Access to content may not be available in all countries. 

---

Play

---

Active Citizen launched by Minecraft Education EditionIn partnership with Nobel Peace Center

The week before, Minecraft Education EditionActive Citizen was launched in partnership with Nobel Peace Center. You can take on the role of four Nobel Peace Prize winners and gain the knowledge necessary to make a difference in the world. Two of the Nobel Peace Prize laureates featured as non-player characters in the Minecraft world are Malala Yousafzai and Wangari Maathai, who have both championed women’s and girls’ empowerment. The 14-year-old Alfred Nobel is also available to players.^ThFridtjof and Dalai Lama, Nobel Peace Prize winners.

Active Citizen, the Nobel Peace Center’s first collaborative project with Minecraft: Education Edition is also the first game activation where the Nobel Peace Prize is included. Active Citizen will be available in 29 languages to all Minecraft Education Edition users. It also comes as a demo in the middle of March. Helen Chaing, Head of Minecraft at Microsoft, shares more information about the project on this Microsoft blog.

Halo: Happy Women’s History Month, Spartans!

343 You can find out more at www.in.dustries is celebrating Women’s History Month with our Team Xbox Community! In Halo: Unlimited343i and some Spartans are on the ground for an exclusive play session featuring Big Team Battle action.  Follow @Halo on Twitter for more details! In March, 343i plans to re-release the Spartan Kat nameplate. Halo: The Master Chief SelectionAll MCC players who participated in the month were awarded this prestigious award. Happy Women’s History Month, Spartans!

Celebrating Women’s History Month with Forza Motorsport 7

Celebrate women and their contribution to motorsport by joining racecar driver Shannon McIntosh for the Forza Motorsport 7 “Women in Motorsports” Rivals Event from March 3-15. For setting an event time, participants receive an event-inspired shirt and, if they finish in the top forty percent on the leaderboards, some very special Forza gear. Follow @ForzaMotorsport and @Turn10Studios for more information. To learn about the contributions of women to the industry, visit @Turn10Studios.

Microsoft Casual games celebrate women around the world!

From the inventions brought to life, to the art created – women have made our world a more beautiful place. We celebrate the achievements of women through 3 new in-game products that are inspired by their strength and skills. Click here for more information.

Age of Empires Honors Women’s History Month with New Content, Community Stories & Events

Explore the history of your destination with Age of EmpiresWe will be highlighting women from both the past and present. Check out our Sage of Empires to see stories about extraordinary women around the globe and how they have contributed to the advancement of their area. Watch the Queens’ Clash, where women players will battle it out in epic show-matches featured by Age of Queens, a women-led group from the Age Community. You can check the in-game event here. Age of Empires III: The Definitive EditionIncluded the first female-oriented explorer customizations that highlight Ada Lovelace, Elisabet and Ramsey. This and many other topics will be discussed as we commemorate the women of the AoE. Find out more.

Xbox Honors Women’s History Month with a New GamerpicAvatar Items and Profile Theme

In partnership with the Women in Gaming community at Xbox, we’re introducing a new gamerpic, profile themes, and avatar items! Both the Xbox PC and console will have access to the profile and gamerpic. Gamerpic and profile themes will appear on every platform (including mobile), however gamers have the option to change their profile theme via the Xbox App on PC and console. Find your avatar products here.