CD PROJEKT S.A. and the Perspektywy Education Foundation announce the 4th edition of the scholarship and mentorship program dedicated to high school girls interested in the video game industry. Online recruitment for the program began on September 9 and will run until October 31, 2024.
Girls in the Game! is a response to the game dev industry’s demand for talented women. According to IQS’ second Game Story report, there are 17 million gamers in Poland, with 47% of them — 8 million — being women! Nearly 2.3 million women say they play daily on consoles or computers, and 22% of female gamers consider gaming their passion. However, women make up only 20% of those working in the game dev industry. Perspektywy Education Foundation has been monitoring the situation of women in technology for years, both in Poland and globally. To get the broadest possible view of the industry, they also monitor women’s rates of engineering education and their subsequent scientific and professional careers in tech companies. Despite more women entering the high-tech sector over the past decade, their presence remains low — ranging from around 15% to 25%, with numbers varying based on the particular stage of their career.
The program is open to high school girls of all types, with a special emphasis on candidates from smaller towns. It includes a year-long training cycle and individual mentorship from experts at CD PROJEKT RED. Participants also receive a scholarship of 12,000 PLN to support their education and development.
The previous three editions of the program were met with great interest, garnering over 3,500 applications from talented candidates across the country. Graduates of the program join the Alumni community, a group of over 40 alumni for whom CD PROJEKT RED organizes additional initiatives, such as dedicated workshops at the Women in Tech Summit. Many of these graduates have chosen to pursue studies related to game dev or have entered the industry.
“After three years since the program launched, we are proud to see a growing community of young women interested in the game dev industry. It’s wonderful to witness the participants and alumni getting to know each other, forming support networks, and even friendships!” commented Agnieszka Szamałek-Michalska, Culture, Diversity and Inclusion Director at CD PROJEKT RED. “100% of our graduates express a desire to work in game dev, so I believe their paths will cross professionally, and the connections they are making now will help them realize incredible projects,” she added.
“Girls in the Game! demonstrate the enormous artistic and technological potential that lies within the younger generation of women,” said Dr. Bianka Siwińska, head of Perspektywy Women in Tech. “Real talents are maturing in front of our eyes, wonderful ideas are blossoming, and innovative projects are being born. All it takes is a little support, inspiring mentorship, and most importantly, instilling confidence for the girls to start spreading their wings and surpassing the boundaries set by their schools or environment. It’s amazing to watch them boldly level up their professional future!“
The past three editions also proved that the mentor-mentee relationship positively impacts not only mentees, but those who share their skills as well. Mentors from CD PROJEKT RED had the opportunity to pass on their knowledge and experience to young women, and in their feedback, experts shared that mentoring not only helped them develop their professional skills but also increased their job satisfaction and sense of contribution to the game dev industry. Over 95% expressed a desire to participate in the program again.
Participants from previous editions have shown a wide range of talents and impressive growth throughout the program. Here’s what some Girls in the Game! alumnae say about their experience:
“The program is like a witcher’s journey — full of inspiration, unforgettable experiences, and challenges that teach persistence and courage. It undoubtedly helped me open up to new opportunities and find answers to questions that have been bothering me since childhood. This year strengthened my skills and gave me the most important thing in life — confidence!” recalled Anna Dyrcz, a graduate of the second edition of Girls in the Game!, and the creator of the Girls Mean STEM project.
“Becoming part of the program showed me that I can achieve something not only within the four walls of my hometown but also in the wider world. I met many exceptional and experienced people who helped me not only gain knowledge and skills but also define myself, my interests, and my future plans. I highly encourage everyone to try their luck in this year’s recruitment — there’s no other development accelerator like Girls in the Game!” added Beata Orlińska, a graduate of the second edition of the program.
“Participating in the program was an incredible opportunity for me. I met amazing, passionate people who were eager to share their knowledge and experience. They showed me that creating games is not magic, and anyone can learn it — you just need the will! Thanks to the program, I found my place in game dev and believed that I can do it too!” commented Martyna Plutowska, another graduate of the second edition.
More information about the program and the application form can be found on the official website: www.dziewczynywgrze.pl