Diversity is key to creating worlds where players and communities can thrive and express themselves.
While we continue to set the benchmark for the local industry with projects such as Assassin’s Creed (AC) Mirage, Far Cry 6, and AC Valhalla, we also take great pride in being recognized as one of the most diverse and inclusive workplaces in the Philippines.
At the Asia CEO Awards 2023, Ubisoft Philippines received the Circle of Excellence Award for Diversity Company of the Year.
The studio was chosen among 600 nominations nationwide and is the sole game development company among the other finalists and Circle of Excellence awardees.
The award is a testament to our commitment to build a workplace that promotes inclusivity, where every voice is valued, and differences are celebrated as strengths.
This commitment begins with our developers, with themselves taking a proactive stance and championing representation – both within our games and our teams.
We’ll share more about why we were recognized and how we have paved the way for more DE&I efforts in Southeast Asia and beyond.
WALKING THE TALK: GENDER DIVERSITY IN STUDIO LEADERSHIP & PRODUCTION
Our leadership team has exemplified what it means to value diverse perspectives and representation.
More than half of the Studio Leadership roles are held by women. Moreover, majority of our Project Managers, 63%, are women – further proof that more and more female talent in the country are strong contributors and leaders in game development.
Studio-wide, Ubisoft Philippines has a higher percentage of females in the team than the global average of 23%. Moreover, as per the studio’s Great Place to Work (GPTW) Trust Index Survey, 98% of employees say they are treated fairly regardless of their race and sexual orientation – above the GPTW benchmarks.
Leadership extends beyond roles in the studio. Many female team members also play an active part in engaging with the local community, sharing their journeys, and encouraging more women to join the industry.
We strive to make an impact, within and outside the studio, showing firsthand what is possible and always pushing for a bigger and more open space in the industry.
For more, check out this local feature with our Communications Manager and D&I Council Chairperson Lyka Nierras where she shared her journey, how she built her career, and how other women might do the same.
THE DIVERSITY & INCLUSION COUNCIL
At the heart of the studio’s DE&I strategy is the Diversity and Inclusion Council, composed entirely of volunteer employees who lead year-round campaigns that promote concrete positive changes in the workplace.
The Council is also representative of many groups from men, women, and LGBTQIA+ volunteers from various job families in production and projects within the company.
EMPLOYEE-LED PROGRAMS
The D&I Council is founded on the spirit of volunteerism, relying on the proactiveness of its members, their individual talents, and their desire for a more inclusive workplace. Because of this, the studio’s D&I programs are completely employee-led, initiated by team members themselves.
Check out some of the events and campaigns the Council spearheads all year round.
International Women’s Day and the Philippine’s National Women’s Month are annual celebrations in the studio. Our team has organized several programs and activities, starting with talks. Our talks have become a platform not just to celebrate women but to educate.
From an organizational spotlight with The Sanctuary Project on feminism to a talk by our wellbeing partner, MindNation, on the “Female Balancing Act,” our studio aims to address gender-related issues and help our teams find direct and actionable solutions.
Beyond talks, we’ve initiated learning and development programs open to all, developer features such as our “Women of Ubisoft Philippines” series, our “Damsels vs. Distress” art jams, and tea parties to celebrate the many milestones our powerhouse of female talent have achieved.
Our annual Pride Month celebrations are opportunities for us to better support members of the LGBTQIA+ community – both within and outside the studio. Over the past few years, we have donated to the Home for the Golden Gays, learned Filipino sign language from the Pinoy Deaf Rainbow organization, and setup a DIY Pride Flag Crafting Corner for our LGBTQ+ team members, among others.
The Philippines is a melting pot of diverse cultures. In the studio, we hold a month-long event to promote our national Filipino language with Philippine-inspired trivia games and activities. During Lunar New Year, team members with close ties to or have Chinese heritage celebrate with us through good food and hands-on introductions to Feng Shui.
Meanwhile, our annual Wellness Roadshow and Activities in the studio feature free massage, skin-care services, health and insurance consultations, webinars, workout sessions with seasoned experts and wellness kits.
MENTAL HEALTH PARTNERSHIP
For a holistic approach, Ubisoft Philippines also takes neurodiversity into account. The studio has a long-term partnership with MindNation, one of the leading mental health providers in the country.
Ubisoft Philippines team members have access to free consultations with licensed psychiatrists and psychologists, therapies, and webinars.
COLORBLIND ACCESSBILITY GUIDELINES
As a way to support colorblind team members, members of the D&I Council spearheaded the development of official company color-blind accessibility guidelines.
These are used in posters, emails, decks, and other visuals to create inclusive and accessible materials.
CREATIVITY THROUGH INCLUSIVITY
Our culture of diversity and inclusion is driven by our team members’ strong willingness to push for their own advocacies and welcome positive changes in the workplace. We are proud of what have built in Ubisoft Philippines, and we hope we will continue to inspire more DE&I efforts in the local industry.
As we move forward, we remain steadfast in our commitment to upholding the principles that have made the studio a hub of creativity, inclusion, and progress – and we are excited for what more we can achieve.