Carina Kom’s Post

"Gaming is easy to access, and authentic storytelling in games can help you to understand yourself better or feel less alone in your experiences." Video games have become a safe virtual space for queer individuals to find belonging and community, that is not available for them in the physical world. In June 2020, we saw ACNH become a host for pride during the covid lockdown, indie games pushing boundaries for more queer stories and LGBTQ+ characters, and finally a rise in representation in AAA games! I have spent the past few weeks interviewing trans* players about their experience with the character creation aspect of RPGs. A common theme that constantly arises is the ability to explore identity and play out authentic queer storylines. I'm thrilled to see more discussion around queer gaming communities and experiences, and hope this is a sign we are moving towards more authentic representation!

🕑 14 days until 🕑 It's hard to believe, but the Indie Game Fest is just two weeks away! We can't wait to open our doors and welcome you in Cologne. 🎟️ Grab your tickets here: https://lnkd.in/eGs2xsRJ And join the Indie Game Fest! 🎮 Discover Over 40 Indie Games: Explore a diverse selection of more than 40 indie games, each offering unique experiences and creative gameplay. 👀 Get exclusive Previews: Be among the first to see and try out the latest indie games. Discover new projects and prototypes. 🤝 Meet the Creators: Get a chance to meet the developers, ask questions, provide feedback, and learn about their creative processes and future plans. 💬 Industry Networking: Connect with fellow professionals in the gaming industry. Build relationships, exchange ideas, and join a community of like-minded people. 🥇 Support and Recognize Talent: Assist us in identifying the games with the greatest potential using your keen insight, so we can recognize them with our own award. 💻 Online Program: Watch live streams directly from the event and explore discounts and games only exhibiting online at our Steam event. #IndieGameFest2024 #gamingcommunity #indiegames #indiedev #gamedev #gameon

The ESA (Entertainment Software Association) US Video Game Industry report for 2024 is out! A few key highlights: • 2023 US consumer spending on video games was $57.2B. A 1% YoY increase, but encouraging signal from the unanticipated 5% YoY drop in 2022 (Due in part to the gravitational pull of top "black hole" games) • There's been a 70% increase in online players since 1999. That's a nearly 3% CAGR over a 25-year period! • 29% of gamers are 50+, a 12% increase from 2004. • 92% of the Boomer/Silent generation feel that games provide mental stimulation, a surprising 7% higher than younger generations on average. • However, younger generations are 13% more likely than the Boomer/Silent generation to believe that games bring different types of people together. https://lnkd.in/e_4rmUfx

More Than Just Games, It’s Connection We recently had the chance to organize a corporate game night for a team that hadn’t been in the same room together for months. The energy was stiff and awkward at first. But once the games began, we saw people letting their guard down. Laughter echoed across the room, and those hesitant conversations turned into genuine team collaboration. It’s in moments like these that we realize the true power of games—they’re not just for fun, they’re tools for connection. At Gamer Heads, this is what we strive for. Not just winning, but connecting. If you’ve had a similar experience, we’d love to hear it! #ConnectionThroughGames #GamerHeads #TeamBuildingMagic #SharedExperiences

What would a fair working environment in the Games Industry look like? ⚖️ Mirza will be taking us on a journey to look at what a possible future might be like for the games development industry. Let's stop waiting for existing game studios to change their ways and instead endeavor to be the change that we want to see. This presentation could be your inspiration for when you start your own game studio! #gamejam #nordicgamejam #gamedev #dkgame #ticketing

On one of my recent outings, a bright poster caught my eye - "Keep Calm and Play Board Games." It brought back fond memories of lazy Sundays spent with family and friends gathered around’, playing classic games like Ludo, Snakes and Ladders, Monopoly, and Scrabble. What happened to those long afternoons of laughter, friendly competition, and human connection? In today's fast-paced digital era, board games have sadly fallen by the wayside. Yet they offer so much value - bringing people together across generations to engage face-to-face, with no screens dividing their attention. The thrill of rolling the dice, moving those pieces...not to mention practicing patience, strategy, and sportsmanship. As our lives become increasingly virtual, perhaps it's time to revive the tradition of in-person play. Let's open those dusty boxes and blow off the cartons, reconnecting with loved ones over a shared board. Because there's nothing quite like gathering around a table, playing games, building bonds, and making memories. What board game will you bring to the table? #BoardGamesRevival #AnalogConnection #ScreenFreeFun #TabletopTradition #GameNightMemories  

Want to find out more about the Swedish 🇸🇪 video game industry? GamesIndustry.Biz interviewed several Swedish industry leaders, including our member Dataspelsbranschen / Swedish Games Industry, on Sweden's video game industry and its history of resilience & growth. It's an unmissable conversation covering the nation's talent capture, collaborative culture, and sustainable success. We recommend you read the article! #VideoGames #VideoGamesEU #Dataspelsbranschen #Sweden

Each age demographic prefers different game genres. Here is a sneak peek. At Monetizr, we are surveying gamers across top games and top genres. Combine that with game analytics and here's what we've got: - Gen Alpha and Gen Z are all about adventure and battle royale, driving forward with dynamic gameplay preferences. - Meanwhile, Gen X and Boomers are mastering puzzles, highlighting a market for games that challenge the mind. Cool right? Let's talk about how to tell authentic brand stories inside top mobile games. #GamingTrends #BrandStorytelling #ingameadvertising #brandsingames

With more than 50% of the European population playing video games across all age groups, the video games industry is continuously working to ensure a positive online gameplay environment for all. In this GamesIndustry.Biz article, Rovio Entertainment Corporation's Chief Sustainability Officer, Heini Kaihu, shares six basic strategies to fostering a positive environment: 📑 1) Set clear community guidelines and apply them. 🙌 2) Design the game to encourage positive player interaction. 🗣 3) Make reporting easy for players, and moderation easy for moderators. 👓 4) Monitor proactively. 🔎 5) Maintain transparency. 🤝 6) Collaborate with the player community. Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/eVmYE68K Find out more about Video Games Europe and our members' commitment to responsible gameplay: https://lnkd.in/ek9HTCvZ #VideoGames #VideoGamesEU #PositiveGameplay #OnlineSafety