Gamescom is an extraordinary video game convention that takes place each year in Cologne, Germany. Each year, hundreds of thousands of gamers converge to fill large convention spaces, alongside industry professionals who have the chance to distribute games to fans and present their resumes to developers. For companies located outside the United States, this is the premier event of the year. This marks the first year for the International Game Developers Association (IGDA) Foundation, and Executive Director Alyssa Walles is eager about the opportunities it presents.

The IGDA Foundation focuses on providing professional development for underrepresented and marginalized individuals seeking to enter the video game industry. This initiative is vital, considering the numerous obstacles faced by aspiring producers, developers, and writers. While Ms. Walles has been with the IGDA Foundation for just three years, she brings a wealth of experience from her long-standing career in the video game industry. She understands the importance of supporting those who do not have the advantages of privilege, those who lack the means to travel globally for competitions, or those without formal training in computer design and coding.

“I was part of the launch team for PlayStation in Europe, and most of the time I was the only woman in the room,” Wallace recalls. “So I’m thrilled to witness this change.” Nevertheless, she recognizes that more effort is needed.

The IGDA Foundation initially began by sponsoring a select number of individuals to attend the annual Game Developers Conference in San Francisco. This costly endeavor often prevents hundreds of developers from marginalized communities and remote regions from participating. When the COVID-19 pandemic altered the landscape of video gaming events, the IGDA Foundation had to innovate. This led to the creation of Virtual Exchange by former executive director Nika Noor—a six-week online initiative that connects grantees with experienced gaming industry mentors. Each year, the IGDA Foundation reviews hundreds of applications and selects grantees based on three main categories: gaming career professionals aspiring to advance, individuals looking to transition into gaming, and recent graduates.

Walles shared: “A standout example from our network is a young man from Nigeria who has experience in home building and project management. He constructs houses daily and also programs. He hopes to leverage his project management skills to transition into becoming a video game producer.”

For Wallace and other seasoned industry veterans leading the IGDA Foundation, the mission is about channeling their experiences to foster a robust and diverse future for the industry. “I’m 65 years old and I’m not shy about it…I’m nearing the end of my career, so I’m here to give back,” she states.

However, the IGDA Foundation, like many initiatives aimed at improving equity within the video game and technology sectors, has faced significant hurdles recently. Following rapid growth during the pandemic, the industry saw unprecedented layoffs. Companies inform Wallace that funding for the foundation is nonexistent, a claim she finds hard to believe (“I know you have $5,000”). Although the IGDA Foundation does not receive government support, there have been attacks from the Trump administration and Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (Doge) against diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, compelling organizations to reassess their marketing strategies and donor outreach.

“Some nonprofits in our sector have been forced to shut down, but thankfully, we’re not close to that point. Still, I worry about it constantly,” Wallace confesses. “How can we connect with individuals wanting to earn a substantial income in the gaming world and nurture the upcoming generation?”

Yet, under Wallace’s direction, the IGDA Foundation is unafraid to innovate. Last year, she found an article in a newsletter about an independent developer making significant profits from a single downloadable content (DLC) in a Steam bundle. “We reached out to the IDGA Foundation’s alumni network and proposed organizing a Steam event featuring DLC,” she explains. Someone from the network volunteered to run it. This led to the initiation of an event called Download for Charity, held in May, which included 24 participating games and raised $24,000,” says Walles. She also organizes game jams in collaboration with diverse partners and recently launched a porting initiative to assist developers in adapting their games for Android devices.

This relentless pursuit of funding exemplifies Wallace’s commitment to the program and the marginalized communities it supports. Wallace’s aspirations for the IGDA Foundation are straightforward. “We simply want adequate funding to sustain our efforts so we can deliver these programs to individuals in need across the globe.”