This panel is joined by Morgan Romine (Director of Initiatives for AnyKey), Noah Whinston (CEO of Immortals and LA Valiant), Alice White (VP of Global Talent Acquisition at Blizzard), Christine Tomlinson (Researcher and Lecturer at UCI), and Nicole Fawcette (Senior Brand Manager at Xbox).

¤ Unfinished Business - Next steps and action items to a healthy industry

In this panel discussion, industry representatives and leaders discussed what should be done in order to promote a healthier environment for games/Esports.


› What is the most necessary thing in building a healthy industry?


There were many avenues that surfaced during the discussion. One of the crucial points Morgan Romine addressed was awareness. Morgan claimed that the industry needs to work more directly with the community. The industry needs people to manage the space in the community during events.

She later on explained that an individual cannot hope to change the entire industry at once. However, an individual can work with a multitude of communities to spread a more healthy viewpoint on where the direction is going.

After Morgan’s claims, Noah directly forwarded this by relating to his own philosophy in his organization. Noah clarified that he aims to talk with not only big companies such as Blizzard but also the community itself. This is done by moderating LA Valiant’s Twitter account or Discord channel. Noah claimed that opportunities to elevate these voices from these events but also in sustained actions is to the utmost importance. Noah also went on by saying that he is actively creating a friendly and welcoming environment on his community outlets. He further went on clarifying that creating a friendly environment allows the community to grow and further help tackle the lack of diversity.

› What can game organizations do to help the female audience?


Christine Tomlinson gave her opinion on this matter. She explained on how she believes it is already on its way. The more the industry can allow more diverse members for a team, the more role models are created for women or diversity as a whole to become more inclusive.


› What will prove toxicity will eventually go away?


Morgan Romine shared her ideas on companies sharing player information in order to reduce the level of toxicity. She explained the industry taking the responsibility on what values are important in gameplay is crucial. Anyone and everyone can cultivate the culture. Morgan explained a lot of people don’t know they are being jerks. In fact, Riot Games had tested that people retract their behavior when told ‘Are you sure you want to say that?’. If companies would share some of the information and technology they have, the industry can all better work together to make this community better. Morgan concluded by saying “each game is not a different silow.".

Christine added on to Morgan’s point. Christine contributed by explaining, a person should not hide him/herself from the toxicity. You need to shut it down. Hiding also prevents the diverse representations that is there.

Noah later shared a newfound approach. Noah said, “Gradually we begin to create a unified community online with set social norms with consequences. The internet will become more like real social life. There is a reason why people don’t do and say what they say online in the streets. This problem is incremental and not exponential. Things are going to be gradually progressed.”.


› How have you helped players transition on becoming a pro?


Questioned directly at Noah, Noah gave an insight into the development of his players and an idea of ‘chicken and the egg’ regarding female gamers.

“We really tried to invest heavily so that they have player resources. We have an environment where players are nurtured in and outside of the game. We even have sports psychologists to have an emotional outage for them. When it comes to recruiting, that is where it becomes tough. What is the chicken and the egg? Is it more important to get as many pro lvl female players so the bottom area players can learn and be inspired or should we grow the bottom area female players in order for them to catch up with the rest of the competition.”.

Morgan Romine intervened by saying it is both that should be addressed.

To summarize what the gaming community could aid in the help of industry development, Noah couldn’t have given a better speech.

“If you participate in other communities that try to really enforce the diversity, one voice can actually impact in a big way. You can participate in more group communities and use those examples for your own. It is on all of us to take action to create a better community. A community that reflects the audience here now that does not necessarily represent the gaming community today.”.