The games industry has a sexism problem. Women who work in or just have an interest in the industry are ignored or abused on a regular basis. Things are getting better – people who work for the big companies are calling for an end to it all – but we've still got a long way to go. For example, you'd think that with its panel on #1ReasonWhy the Game Developer Conference (GDC) would be the most welcome place for women in the industry. But reports of a party at the conference that featured scantily clad female dancers suggests otherwise.
Forbes reports that a student developer who attended the party said there were “at least three girls in white outfits – one was in a skimpy t-shirt one was in this weird furry get-up – dancing”. Naturally, she did not go to the party “expecting that sort of display”. The party was hosted by the International Game Developer's Association (IGDA); as Forbes points out, this is an organisation that states it is “dedicated to improving developers' careers and lives through: Community, Professional Development, and Advocacy.” It doesn't seem as concerned when it comes to following that through when it comes to female developers.
Regardless of how you feel about watching women dressed in little clothing dance for your entertainment, an event like GDC just doesn't need to put on such a show. When the focus of a party is the sexualisation of women, it sends a message to those women attending that the organisers do not consider them their target audience, i.e. that they are unwanted or just plain ignored. Maybe you think it's harmless fun, but it serves no positive purpose that couldn't be fulfilled by something less offensive.
UPDATE:
When she found out about the party, Brenda Romero resigned as co-chair of the IGDA:
I resign as co-chair of the IGDA Women in Games SIG effective immediately. #1ReasonWhy.
— Brenda Romero (@br) March 28, 2013
