With Gamescom now firmly in the past, the editorial team at GamesIndustry.biz has turned its attention to the assessment phase of this year’s Best Places To Work (BPTW) Awards. While the primary award categories have already closed for submissions and will be judged on the basis of anonymous employee surveys, we have decided to lengthen the nomination window for the Special Awards.
These supplementary honors spotlight exceptional performance in particular domains that are vital to the health and growth of the games sector. The extended deadline means that nominations for the following special categories can be submitted up until 23:59 GMT on Monday, 7 September. Unlike the headline BPTW categories, which focus on overall workplace satisfaction, the Special Awards are designed to celebrate targeted achievements and are open to any UK‑based company that operates within or supports the games industry. The special categories currently on offer are: - **Diversity Award** – Recognising organisations that have made measurable strides in fostering a diverse and inclusive workforce, from recruitment practices to career development initiatives.
- **Green Award** – Honouring companies that have implemented effective environmental sustainability strategies, such as reducing carbon footprints, adopting renewable energy, or promoting eco‑friendly production methods. - **HR Hero Award** – Celebrating HR professionals or teams that have introduced innovative people‑management solutions, improved employee engagement, or championed best‑in‑class HR policies. - **Training and Development Award** – Acknowledging firms that invest heavily in up‑skilling their staff, offering robust learning programmes, mentorship schemes, and clear pathways for professional growth.
- **Education Award** – Highlighting contributions to educational outreach, whether through partnerships with academic institutions, scholarship programmes, or community‑focused learning initiatives that inspire the next generation of game creators. - **Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Award** – Rewarding organisations that demonstrate a strong commitment to social responsibility, including charitable work, ethical sourcing, and community engagement. - **Health and Well‑Being Award** – Recognising companies that place employee wellness at the forefront, providing mental‑health support, flexible working arrangements, and initiatives that promote a healthy work‑life balance. Nominations may be submitted by anyone with insight into the nominee’s practices – internal staff members, external partners, clients, or industry peers are all welcome to put forward a candidate.
Each submission should include concrete examples and, where possible, supporting data that illustrate why the nominee deserves recognition in the chosen category. The judging panel, comprising senior HR leaders, sustainability experts, and industry veterans, will review all entries next week. Their evaluation will consider the impact, originality, and scalability of the initiatives described. Winners will be announced during the BPTW Awards ceremony scheduled for 1 October, an event that brings together leading figures from across the games ecosystem to celebrate workplace excellence.
In addition to the awards, tickets remain available for the GamesIndustry.biz HR Summit, which will be held on the day preceding the ceremony. This year’s summit theme, "The Future of People & Work," will explore emerging trends in talent acquisition, employee experience, and organisational culture. Attendees can expect keynote presentations, panel discussions, and interactive workshops that delve into topics such as remote‑working best practices, diversity and inclusion strategies, and the role of technology in shaping the modern workplace. For companies looking to boost their visibility within the industry, participation in both the Special Awards and the HR Summit offers a valuable platform.
Not only does it provide an opportunity to showcase best practices, but it also facilitates networking with peers, potential collaborators, and thought leaders who are shaping the future of games development and publishing. To submit a nomination, visit the official BPTW Awards website and complete the online form for the relevant category. Ensure that all required fields are filled out and that any supplementary documentation is uploaded before the midnight deadline on 7 September.
Late submissions will not be considered, so we encourage interested parties to act promptly. In summary, the extended voting period for the Special Awards gives UK‑based games companies an additional chance to be recognised for their contributions to diversity, sustainability, employee development, education, corporate responsibility, and overall well‑being. Whether you are nominating your own organisation or highlighting the achievements of a partner, your input helps to build a more transparent and aspirational industry standard. We look forward to receiving your nominations and celebrating the outstanding work being done across the sector.