What is LTPF?
Levelling the Playing Field is a funding initiative aiming to improve diversity in the video games industry. The development scene has seen a continued imbalance of gender, race and ethnicity. LTPF supports small development teams and startups who ensure equal representation across their team through investment and guidance to help new studios grow and create their dream game.
The Levelling the Playing Field criteria is simple- are you building a good game, are you looking to grow your team with diversity at the core of your workforce?
If the answer is yes, we want to hear from you. Our ambition is to aid game development studios who are a positive force in the industry.
The Levelling the Playing Field criteria is simple- are you building a good game, are you looking to grow your team with diversity at the core of your workforce?
If the answer is yes, we want to hear from you. Our ambition is to aid game development studios who are a positive force in the industry.
Why does LTPF exist?
Employment equality in the games industry is poor. Levelling the Playing Field was created to help diversify the game industry by supporting studios who ensure equal representation in their teams.
We feel it's important to recognise development studios and startups making strides in diversity, supporting their growth so companies continue to recruit as fairly and widely as possible and more people can feel heard and better represented.
By supporting diverse organisations we’re also hoping the industry will start to create more representative products which is vital for the games community as a whole. There are some really amazing projects out there that we want to help bring into the world. It’s not about getting huge returns or gaining influence over the project or team (unless you are interested in our advice and guidance). We’re looking for all of the LTPF studios to become self-sustaining in the future with diversity still at their core.
We feel it's important to recognise development studios and startups making strides in diversity, supporting their growth so companies continue to recruit as fairly and widely as possible and more people can feel heard and better represented.
By supporting diverse organisations we’re also hoping the industry will start to create more representative products which is vital for the games community as a whole. There are some really amazing projects out there that we want to help bring into the world. It’s not about getting huge returns or gaining influence over the project or team (unless you are interested in our advice and guidance). We’re looking for all of the LTPF studios to become self-sustaining in the future with diversity still at their core.
Studios we've worked with:
Tanja Tankred, Co-Founder of Other Tales Interactive said:
“We are super excited about collaborating with Coffee Stain and to be a part of their initiative Levelling the Playing Field. It’s great that Coffee Stain are actively working towards diversifying the game industry and we are looking forward to seeing more awesome companies getting the same opportunities. On a personal level, it is great to be working with a company of skilled people that can offer advice and guidance on all aspects of game development.” |
Molly Ericson, Co-Founder & VP of Kavalri Games said:
“We identified our culture and core values very early on in Kavalri’s creation. One of our mantras includes focusing on diversity in people, not in vision. Diversity in people's background, ethnicity, gender, and personality is important while making sure there’s alignment in vision & mission. Being part of Levelling the Playing Field is a fantastic opportunity. It’s a great initiative combined with the expertise and support of Coffee Stain.” |
“We are very excited to be part of the Levelling the Playing Field program. It's fantastic to be recognised for our values alongside the game we develop. Coffee Stain has been nothing but respectful and encouraging throughout the process, which we really appreciate. With our games we hope to inspire developers that don't have the privilege of having connections to big investors or publishers to follow their dream of starting their own studio. For the future we're looking forward to welcoming team members of all sorts of different backgrounds, to make our games even more interesting!”
said Annika Maar, Founder and Game Developer for Happy Broccoli Games. |