ekip Events

The European Cultural and Creative Industries Innovation Policy Platform Consortium (ekip) is excited to announce the sixth in a series of Policy Lab that address the most pressing challenges for the Cultural and Creative Industries (CCI). 

The focus of this Policy Lab will be on inclusivity in the video game industry. Specifically, it will explore challenges related to equal access and diversity, particularly for individuals who may face barriers to participation in video game creation and play due to physical or intellectual disabilities, as well as underrepresented groups based on gender, race, and sexuality. The Policy Lab will encourage the development of policy recommendations aimed at addressing these challenges, with a focus on strengthening Europe’s open innovation ecosystems. It will further examine the opportunities that inclusivity can enable for creativity and innovation through diversity in the video game industry.  

This Policy Lab takes place in parallel to TwitchCon Festival in Rotterdam from 31 May – 1 June, a place where streamers and gaming brands get together to meet, network, take part in live video gaming, and more. Something special is in the works for Policy Lab participants who also want to attend TwitchCon, so stay tuned!  

Agenda

• 09:30 – 10:00 – Registration and welcome coffee
• 10:00 – 10:10 – Opening words
  Introduction Session. Technopolis Group and Member of ekip consortium
  Introduction to ekip – European Cultural and Creative Industries Innovation Policy Platform and purpose of the workshop
• 10:10 – 10:20 – Creating inclusive spaces for video game events
  Marianne Dijkshoorn, Accessibility Expert for TwitchCon Europe
  Setting the scene: How have inclusivity barriers impacted the video games industry? What are the key challenges and opportunities for the video games industry from an inclusivity standpoint?
• 10:20 – 10:35 – Framing inclusivity in video games
  Project iGame
  Diana Fehr, Founder MuseoSpace and iGame Partner
• 10:35 – 10:50 – Inclusivity in industry and end-user experience
  Pascale Brand, Senior People & Culture Manager at Linx Interactive
• 10:50 – 11:05 – Recommendations for fostering an ecosystem for inclusivity
  Project EPIC-WE
  Susannah Montgomery, Programme Manager, Sound & Vision
  
• 11:05 – 11:15 – Current policy developments for inclusivity in the video game industry
  Project GAMEHEARTS
  Katharine Sarikakis, University of Vienna, Director GAMEHEARTS
  
• 11:15 – 11:30 –  Q&A
• 11:30 – 11:45 – Coffee break
• 11:45 – 12:30 – Session 1: Challenges identification and prioritisation for inclusive practices in the video game ecosystem
  (2-3 groups)
  Identification and prioritisation of challenges for inclusivity in the video game industry
  
• 12:30 – 13:30 – Lunch
• 13:30 –14:15 – Session 2: Fostering inclusivity in the video game ecosystem through innovative solutions, opportunities and best practices
  (2-3 groups)
  Mapping of innovative solutions and good practices along video game industry value chains stemming from challenges identified
  
• 14:15 – 15:00 – Session 3: Formulating and prioritising policy recommendations
  (2-3 groups)
  Structuring and prioritising impactful policy recommendations for EU-level policymakers to support an inclusive video game industry
  
• 15:00 – 15:15 – Coffee break
• 15:15 – 15:45 – Recap and synthesis of discussions
  Plenary session, rapporteurs summarise policy recommendations
• 15:45 – 16:00 – Conclusion and next steps
• 16:00 –18:00 – Post Policy Lab event: Video game B2B meeting

Physical participation

The event is planned as a physical event taking place in Rotterdam. 

Does the above spark your curiosity? Would you like to help shaping actionable policy recommendations on Video gaming and Inclusivity? Express your interest to join us registering by the 22nd of May.

For any questions, feel free to contact ekip@technopolis-group.com