Empowering Marginalised Game Developers: Tara Mustapha's Vision for a More Inclusive Industry

Tara Mustapha, a member of the Ensemble 2025 cohort, has a clear vision: to support marginalised developers and build sustainable studios. Her journey in the games industry began in 2005 at Backbone Entertainment, followed by roles at Electronic Arts, Microsoft Game Studios, and Infusion. In 2018, she co-founded Glow Up Games and established Code Coven, a global accelerator and academy that helps underrepresented developers showcase their skills and secure industry opportunities. Mustapha's goal is to create a more inclusive and resilient industry, where talented individuals from diverse backgrounds can thrive. Through Code Coven's programs, such as the Aurora Accelerator and Agency, Mustapha aims to provide marginalised developers with the necessary tools, mentorship, and funding to succeed. By addressing the industry's lack of infrastructure and unconscious bias, Code Coven is shaping a more innovative and sustainable games industry that reflects its global audience. Despite the challenges posed by layoffs, consolidation, and funding shifts, Mustapha remains optimistic, highlighting the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion in driving the industry's future growth and success.