Hosted wonderfully by Bahçeşehir University, Games for Change 2025 Istanbul brought together the gaming industry, academia, and students over on December 6–7. On the second day of the event, the panel titled “Gender Equality, Diversity and Community Building in Gaming” provided an in-depth discussion on how inclusivity and diversity can be strengthened within the world of games.
The panel featured Dr. Diğdem Sezen, Dr. Selin Süar, Deniz Özyurda, and Assoc. Prof. Zeynep Koçer, who also serves as the Head of the Digital Game Design Department at İKÜ. Throughout the session, Assoc. Prof. Koçer captured the audience’s attention by combining academic insights with sectoral experience.
During the panel, Assoc. Prof. Zeynep Koçer stood out with her talk focusing on the relationship between creativity and tools in game development. Emphasizing that “tools can be learned and will always change, but creativity and artistic vision remain the most enduring elements that define a game,” she highlighted the importance of creative thinking in design. She noted that while tools like Blender and Unity are constantly updated, original ideas and creative problem-solving skills are what truly empower designers. Her perspective resonated strongly with the audience; students and professionals alike responded with great interest, and her remarks were met with frequent applause.
In the later part of the panel, the speakers discussed why diversity and equality principles are essential in game communities, sharing examples of how inclusive design practices positively impact both player experience and industry growth. Participants also engaged with the panelists through questions on how varied viewpoints enrich creative processes within development teams, resulting in a highly interactive session.
With Bahçeşehir University’s strong support and meticulous organization, Games for Change 2025 Istanbul delivered a memorable event, and this panel in particular provided a meaningful contribution to ongoing conversations about gender equality and diversity within the gaming industry.
