Happy Pride, everyone!
At Ubisoft Toronto, we believe that diversity is our biggest strength, and the key to building stronger, creative teams, as well as developing better games for all players. We embrace our individuality and support the vast array of identities that make up our studio and our community this month, and every month.
While Pride Month is a time to celebrate 2SLGBTQIA+ communities, this year it feels especially important to examine the importance behind it.
Honouring Pride Month’s roots in the 1969 Stonewall Riot, Toronto’s own 1981 Bathhouse Raids, as well as ongoing struggles worldwide that 2SLGBTQIA+ people face, we recognize the contributions of 2SLGBTQIA+ people to our society and culture. Additionally, elevating queer voices, learning from and understanding the various identities and experiences that make up our community is critical in striving towards a more inclusive society.
In that spirit, we invite you to get to know some of our studio’s UbiProud ERG members. Learn about their career journeys, the awesome projects they’ve worked on, and their experience as 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals in the video game industry.
Our studio’s UbiProud ERG also hosted virtual talks featuring internal and external speakers who gave space to an array of important topics and vantage points, ranging from professional to deeply personal.
This included an open discussion about non-binary and trans experiences and issues, exploring one’s intersectional identity and the speaker’s queer Arab experience, as well as insight into a gamedev’s professional inclusion journey and experience at events such as E3, Gamescom and Ubisoft Forward.
While this year’s talks were for internal eyes and ears only, here’s a peek at one from last year by Senior Technical Designer at Relic Entertainment and indie game developer Cloé Veilleux. Chloé provided a window into her experience as a trans AAA game developer and shared helpful suggestions on navigating accidental misgendering.
Our studio’s celebrations culminated in a lively Pride Mixer filled with delicious snacks, lots of laughter, and an enthusiastic performance by Canadian drag performer JuiceBoxx! Shoutout to our UbiProud ERG for organizing such an engaging mixer and a giveaway of giftcards to queer-owned local businesses!
While Pride Month may be coming to a close, the conversation and work does not stop on June 30.
We’re committed to providing a safe and inclusive environment, where employees can thrive as their most authentic selves, and we aim to create games that are truly reflective of our diverse world.
Learn more about Ubisoft’s commitment to our 2SLGBTQIA+ communities and our three-year roadmap towards a more diverse and inclusive company.
We stand together in Pride all throughout the year ✨
— Ubisoft (@Ubisoft) June 6, 2023
Our LGBTQIA+ Employee Resource Group, UbiProud, is helping to shape our global strategy for equality and inclusion across our teams and games alike 💝. Meet some of our UbiProud chapters below, and learn more about our three… pic.twitter.com/Lc1GFS6NHD