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Code Coven - The First Games Industry Focused Accelerator For Marginalised Game Developers

By Myleah Lofland, PR & Marketing Coordinator at Code Coven on 17/05/2021

The gaming community has always been full of diverse people and communities. However, the developers of games have not always reflected the same diversity. Marginalized people have not been offered many of the same opportunities as their counterparts, and there has been a need for a solution to remedy this problem.

That’s where Code Coven comes in.

Code Coven aims to be intrepidly daring, providing marginalized developers with the skills and confidence needed to thrive in the games industry. And that’s the kind of solution needed for this long running problem.

Tara Mustapha, the CEO & Founder of Code Coven, says that there wasn’t just one tipping point for wanting to create Code Coven. It was a culmination of observations made over her 16 year career in the games industry.

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I analyzed my experiences and those of my colleagues and used my design thinking to try to design how to make those experiences better. I was inspired by the work of Mary Beard, Mary Portas, Caroline Criado-Perez and Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, all powerful women who challenge the inherent systems that define our world today.

Tara Mustapha, CEO & Founder of Code Coven

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People of marginalized genders are familiar with having their abilities constantly being questioned. Without knowing anything about them, they are assumed to be lesser based on someone’s else’s perception of their gender. Tara saw it first-hand in the workplace.

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I've borne witness to non-men having to prove their 'gamer credentials' to be in the room, being passed over for jobs and promotions even though they are more qualified than their cis male counterparts, being paid less then them too, being tokenized at gaming events, and not given the investment in their self-development or in their own companies. So what drives me, is simple - what would this look like if it were easy?

Tara Mustapha, CEO & Founder of Code Coven

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Code Coven is built upon 3 pillars. The academy, accelerators, and the studio. Each aspect of this “triforce” is an integral part of Code Coven’s model.

Through Code Coven, they're creating formalized educational spaces that embrace curiosity and are welcoming to everyone no matter what their existing relationship with technology might be.

Their Intro To Game Making course comes with zero expectations of prior knowledge or games literacy and they build their curriculum to adapt to the interests and needs of each cohort.
Their Intro To Game Making course comes with zero expectations of prior knowledge or games literacy and they build their curriculum to adapt to the interests and needs of each cohort.

Francesca Carletto-Leon is the Head of Curriculum and is an Instructor for the Code Coven academy courses. Her approach is to teach with an open mind to bring aspiring game developers closer to their dreams.

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When someone hasn't heard of a certain game or lacks insight into the game development process we don't say "I can't believe you don't know that" and instead say "I can't wait to help you learn and understand this thing that I love.” Learning is a method of self empowerment and by removing the fear of failure, Code Coven is supporting marginalized developers as they reach towards their futures.

Francesca Carletto-Leon, Head of Curriculum at Code Coven

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And Code Coven has the numbers to show their impact.

In 2020 alone, Code Coven directly supported 100+ underrepresented game developers from 15+ countries, built a 150+ strong mentor network, paid out $110,000+ USD in stipends to fund diverse creators, and granted $25,000+ USD in scholarships. Furthermore, their Discord community has grown to 500+ members.

Head of Business Development & Instructor, Karla Reyes, says that these numbers highlight the influence Code Coven has had on the games industry.

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Considering that we began 2020 with a team of 3 members and scaled to our current team of 9, I personally believe these figures speak volumes to the diligent work and impact Code Coven has made. Beyond the metrics, there are many intangibles that reflect our achievements.

Karla Reyes, Head of Business Development at Code Coven

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It’s not just numbers that Code Coven has to prove their influence. Their community flourishes under the kindness and support that those in it share with one another.

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Everyone in our community is kind, supportive, and focused on empowering and uplifting each other. We’ve had alumni continue to collaborate with each other after graduating from our programs, self-publish their own games, secure deals with publishers, or enter other accelerator programs. Furthermore, we have supported our partner studios with directly hiring talent from our network."

Karla Reyes, Head of Business Development at Code Coven

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Code Coven was also awarded the 2020 Women in Games Global Advocacy Award and Gender Diversity Initiative of the Year.

Seeing the success these young developers have as they move on to bigger and better things fills Mustapha with pride.

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I have never felt so fulfilled, so delighted - it brings me such joy to start seeing people be able to realize themselves and their own capacity. For me, it's that I can see such talent and possibility - and to see people be able to see that in themselves is breath-taking.

Tara Mustapha, CEO & Founder of Code Coven

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Their programs aren’t only for entry level developers. In 2020, Code Coven partnered with WINGS Interactive to launch a 14-week accelerator program for indie game developers whose opportunities have been impacted by COVID-19 called ELEVATE.

The program offered these teams development guidance, milestone based stipends, business fundamentals, meaningful game progression, community & valuable industry connections, and mentorship. Opening the doors for so many marginalized developers is an important part of changing the current state of affairs in the games industry.

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As the industry grows so does our audience and the potential for games to have positive real world impact. There are so many exciting stories to be told through gaming and uplifting diverse voices to tell these stories.

Francesca Carletto-Leon, Head of Curriculum at Code Coven

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And the best way for others in the industry to make a difference is to simply hold a mirror to their own studios, employees, and teams. Mustapha says that it starts with auditing your own studios and practices.

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Showing self-awareness is the first step towards being able to make intentional change. They don't have to be sweeping changes, but just enough to see day on day growth. They need to hold themselves accountable to seeing improvement in diversity in all places.

Tara Mustapha, CEO & Founder of Code Coven

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"At Code Coven, we encourage and facilitate honest conversations about hard-hitting topics in order to challenge toxicity in existing work cultures and practices and reflect on ways to turn the tide in our industry. We aim to support marginalised folks to not only emerge as game devs but also rise as leaders and entrepreneurs."

Karla Reyes, Head of Business Development at Code Coven

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Code Coven is currently running an accelerator in support of the IGDA-F & Grant for the Web to support marginalized game developers. These game developers will be provided with the power, resources, and guidance to design games and integrate new methods as alternatives to traditional web monetization.

They’re also teamed up with Facebook Games for their Summer Program, which will be an accelerator to allow teams to earn a stipend, learn from industry experts, and get some mentorship.

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With enough strong allies, we've been able to focus on redesigning these invisible systems to be able to work towards parity and a kinder, inclusive environment for all.

Tara Mustapha, CEO & Founder of Code Coven

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To keep up with the organization and their programs, you can follow Code Coven on TwitterInstagramFacebook, and even TikTok!