Building Resilience in the Gaming Industry: A Conversation with Vanessa Brasfield

As part of GamesIndustry.biz's Black Voices Progress Report, Vanessa Brasfield shares her experiences and insights on the gaming industry. With a background in applied computer graphics, art, and design, Brasfield initially aspired to become an artist in the gaming sector. However, she soon realized that working for others to produce art was not her true passion. Instead, she pursued a Master of Science degree and explored her interest in helping people understand complex concepts. Brasfield is now dedicated to assisting individuals in getting hired within the gaming industry, emphasizing the need for transparency in the hiring process. She notes that many content creators, such as streamers, are unaware that they possess skills equivalent to those of junior-level community managers. Brasfield stresses the importance of expanding one's skill set, particularly in higher education, where many institutions are not adequately preparing students for the gaming industry. Despite her current enjoyment of her role at Crystal Dynamics, Brasfield is candid about the challenges faced by the gaming sector, including the trend of layoffs and the impact on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. She highlights the need for resilience in the industry, stating that "you have to be built a little bit differently to stay resilient in this industry." Brasfield's own journey into the gaming industry was not without its challenges. After completing her master's degree, she struggled to find employment in the gaming or big data sectors due to lack of experience. However, she found an alternative path through streaming, which eventually led to her current role at Crystal Dynamics. Brasfield acknowledges that there is still much work to be done to increase the number of Black professionals in the gaming industry. She emphasizes the importance of having a diverse and inclusive pool of game developers, highlighting the need for meaningful action and a genuine commitment to DEI initiatives. Ultimately, Brasfield believes that the gaming industry must prioritize transparency, accountability, and inclusivity to create a more equitable and resilient environment for all professionals.