The games industry is facing a critical turning point when it comes to nurturing and retaining talented professionals—and this event could shed light on the future of how studios manage this challenge. But here’s where it gets controversial: is the traditional approach to skills development and workplace culture truly sustainable in today’s fast-evolving gaming landscape? Gina Jackson from Skillfull and Liz Prince, business manager at Amiqus, are set to host a compelling session at the upcoming GamesIndustry.biz HR Summit 2025, where they will dive deep into these pressing questions.
Their presentation, titled "The Talent Reset – Skills, Sustainability, and Fairness in the Games Talent Agenda," aims to unpack the critical mix of developing versatile skills, fostering sustainable studio environments, and promoting equitable opportunities across the industry. They will offer practical strategies and fresh viewpoints on thriving amid an era of transformation in gaming. This session is especially important as studios worldwide struggle to find the right balance between technical expertise, employee wellbeing, and fair treatment—a balancing act that the industry has often missed.
Jackson and Prince aren’t the only big names at the summit. Already announced speakers include Nicky Ormrod, Chief People Officer at Sega Europe, along with Simon Court and Dan Bobby from Value Partnership. They will share their insights through a talk titled "SEGA – Recode for Growth," exploring how a major player like Sega is reshaping its workforce strategy to drive expansion in a competitive market.
The third annual GamesIndustry.biz HR Summit is scheduled for October 2, 2025, at the historic Royal Institution in London—a venue befitting the importance of this event. Attendees can expect a full roster of expert speakers and sessions, with more announcements coming very soon, promising a robust and diverse conversation around the future of game industry careers.
In addition to the summit, ticket holders gain access to the Best Places to Work Awards, an event recognizing studios that excel in creating positive work environments. The finalists for this year were revealed last week, with Zynga-owned NaturalMotion leading nominations across all six award categories. Close contenders include recognized names like Rare and the UK division of Behaviour Interactive—each celebrated for their commitment to fostering healthy, innovative workplaces.
And this is the part most people miss: while awards celebrate success, they also highlight ongoing debates about what truly makes a studio a great place to work in gaming. Is it culture, compensation, career growth, or something deeper? We invite you to weigh in—do you agree with the qualities these finalists exemplify, or do you think the industry needs to rethink its criteria for workplace excellence? Join the conversation and share your thoughts below!
