Why Saudi Arabia might face difficulties recruiting the gaming industry.
Recently I’ve personally seen an increased number of people reaching out to me asking if I was interested in a role in the video games sector that is being built out in Saudi Arabia. While the role itself might very well have been suitable or interesting (this was before I founded Com-Unity Consulting mind you), there is a rather large barrier that prevents me accepting a job in that location: I am gay. Which in Saudi Arabia is a criminal offence.
Saudi Arabia has been investing more and more into their video games and esports sector in an effort to building out the industry and gain a foothold on that stage. While it’s great to see other regions of the planet building out that sector and with a bit of luck, creating games and experiences that are not ‘just’ the western style, I can see them facing rather unique challenges in the more creative and tech industries.
Video games specifically has an over representation of LGBTQIA+ within their work force. A part of me stayed in that industry because of that fact. While the same can’t quite be said about women (yet hopefully), asking to uproot your family and bring them to a country that is culturally less aligned in progressive legislation, I suspect will be a challenge for Saudi Arabia to recruit talent to that sector.
At least in my experience, the video games industry is a rather more progressive industry when it comes to views of equality of women and LGBTQIA+. I know from others that this didn’t used to be the case previously, but from my experiences I can say that it is rather save and a non-issue of identifying as LGBTQIA+. Taking a role in a country that criminalises your identity is a rather tall order that I believe is preventing a good portion of the industry of joining the growing video game sector in Saudi.
In addition, as we look towards the next generation joining the industry, it is thankfully much more accepted and saver to come out as LGBTQIA+ than it has ever been before. As a result, we see GenZ have now the highest percentage of people who identify as LGBTQIA+. No, it’s not an epidemic or an indoctrination as some would want to make you believe, but the only reason is that it’s much less demonised and dangerous to come out. It has always been that way, but people had to choose to not live their truth in other to protect themselves. This danger is still present in Saudia Arabia and will be even more challenging to recruit talent for the industry as time goes on.
It's a difficult challenge for Saudi Arabia to overcome, as ultimately, it’s a cultural if not even religious, change that would need to take place. These are some of the most deeply ingrained believe systems we hold and take a long time to change. I have no doubt that Saudi Arabia will grow their industry, and that we will soon see the first games and esports teams come out of that region. Which I find amazing and brilliant! But it also comes with the bitterness of knowing the exclusion of individuals that could have been part of this, but are not.
Community management is shaping culture. It defines the norms and behaviours that a group of individuals will follow and interact with. While a code of conduct is a written format of such, it’s the subtility of nuances that bring a community really to life and together. It’s the in-joke, the meme culture that is just as much part of the formation of culture as is how the group deals with, accepts, or condemns player behaviours negatively impacting others.
“To moderate, or not to moderate, that is the question.”
A community team that is well versed in understanding the behavioural dynamics of a culture and community, can use these to their advantage to build communities, that foster good will and could even police themselves. Com-Unity Consulting can help train your team in these and level them up for the next gaming challange coming their way. What to learn how? You can contact us here!
