FADCOM presents the talk "Women in the Video Game Industry"

The Faculty of Art, Design, and Audiovisual Communication at ESPOL presented the discussion panel "Women and Video Games: Players, Developers, and Protagonists." This hybrid event featured prominent speakers both in-person and virtually. The event was moderated by Sofía Cabrera, M.Sc., director of the "Espol Divulga" project, ensuring that each topic was addressed with the necessary depth and perspective.

Researcher María Luz Castro, Ph.D., from the Universidade da Coruña, who is conducting a research stay at FADCOM, opened the discussion by exploring how video games have evolved in their representation of women, transitioning from mere damsels in distress to more empowered characters.

Tatiana Cabrera, M.Sc., director of the Virtual Reality and Video Games program at the Universidad Católica de Cuenca, joined us virtually to discuss the development of the video game program at her institution and its focus on building narratives that incorporate local cultural components.

Engineer Arianna Macías, a renowned Ecuadorian gamer, e-sports content creator, and radio host on Gameplay FM, shared her experience regarding the current position of women in the gaming world and the dynamics within e-sports teams.

Nayeth Solórzano, Ph.D., researcher and director of the MIDI-AM projects, an educational games platform for social inclusion, emphasized the importance of serious games and how equitable interdisciplinary teams are formed for their development.

The purpose of this discussion was to highlight the achievements and challenges of women in the video game industry, aiming to inspire new generations to get involved and contribute to a more inclusive and diverse environment. Additionally, the impact of video games on the construction of female identity was underscored, promoting a more equitable and varied representation in this medium. This discussion not only showcased the accomplishments of women in the field of video games but also opened a space for dialogue and reflection on the future of the industry in Ecuador.