The Importance of Properly Crediting Game Developers

The gaming industry has seen a surge in stories about developers being left out of game credits, highlighting a long-standing issue that needs to be addressed. The problem is not new, but a fresh movement is bringing attention to discrepancies in game credits, with developers of all levels advocating for proper acknowledgement of their work. The International Game Developers Association (IGDA) has been working on this issue since the late 2000s, providing guidelines and a cheat sheet for proper crediting. However, the industry's rapid growth has led to a lack of formal processes, resulting in many developers being omitted from credits. This not only affects their career advancement but also their ability to showcase their experience, especially for those working as outsourced contractors. To resolve this issue, it is essential to start thinking about credits early in the development process, gradually building a list of names, and being specific about each person's role. The IGDA's crediting guidelines provide a foundation for this, including rules for inclusion, attribution, and priority. Having a clear crediting policy in place can be a valuable tool for studios, and communicating this policy to staff during the onboarding process is crucial. The next step would be to work with unions to make crediting policies an official fixture of the games industry, making it mandatory for games to have exhaustive credits to be able to release. While standardization may be challenging, it is essential to create a safe environment for employees and to recognize their contributions to game development.