With Gamescom now firmly in the past, the editorial team at GamesIndustry.biz has turned its attention to the evaluation process for this year’s Best Places To Work Awards. The primary awards have already closed their entry window, and the judging for those categories will be based on anonymised feedback collected from employees across participating organisations.
However, the organisers have decided to keep the nomination window open a little longer for a distinct set of recognitions known as the Special Awards. These honours are designed to spotlight companies that excel in particular domains that are increasingly important to the games sector, such as diversity, environmental responsibility, employee development and corporate citizenship.
Nominations for the Special Awards can be submitted until 23:59 GMT on Monday, 7 September. Unlike the headline categories, which focus on overall workplace satisfaction, the Special Awards are stand‑alone recognitions that any UK‑based business operating within or alongside the games industry may enter. The list of categories up for nomination includes: - The Diversity Award – celebrating organisations that have made measurable progress in building inclusive teams and fostering a culture where all voices are heard.
- The Green Award – honouring companies that have implemented sustainable practices, reduced their carbon footprint, or pioneered eco‑friendly initiatives in game development and publishing. - HR Hero Award – recognising individuals or teams within HR who have introduced innovative policies, championed employee wellbeing, or driven transformative change in talent management.
- Training and Development Award – highlighting firms that invest heavily in upskilling their staff, offering robust learning pathways, mentorship programmes, and continuous professional development. - Education Award – acknowledging contributions to educational outreach, whether through partnerships with academic institutions, scholarship schemes, or community‑focused learning projects.
- Corporate Social Responsibility Award – rewarding businesses that go beyond profit to make a positive impact on society, through charitable work, ethical sourcing, or community engagement. - Health and Well‑Being Award – focusing on organisations that prioritise mental and physical health, providing resources, support systems, and a workplace environment that promotes overall wellbeing. Both internal stakeholders—such as employees, managers, or board members—and external parties—like partners, suppliers, or industry observers—are welcome to put forward nominations. This inclusive approach ensures that a wide range of perspectives can highlight achievements that might otherwise go unnoticed.
After the nomination deadline passes, a panel of industry experts will review the submissions throughout the following week. Their assessments will feed into the final decisions, which will be announced at the awards ceremony scheduled for 1 October.
In addition to the awards, there is still an opportunity to attend the GamesIndustry.biz HR Summit, which this year centres on the future of People & Work. The summit will run during the day preceding the awards ceremony and will feature thought‑leading speakers, panel discussions, and networking sessions aimed at addressing the evolving challenges of talent acquisition, retention, and workplace culture in the fast‑moving games sector. For companies that have already demonstrated a commitment to excellence in any of the listed areas, the extended deadline offers a valuable chance to gain industry recognition and showcase best practices to peers and potential recruits.
Winning—or even being shortlisted—for a Special Award can enhance an organisation’s reputation, attract top talent, and provide a morale boost to staff who see their hard work acknowledged on a public platform. If you are considering entering, take the time to gather concrete evidence of your initiatives: quantitative data on diversity metrics, case studies of sustainability projects, testimonials from employees about training programmes, or summaries of community outreach efforts.
The more detailed and verifiable the information you provide, the stronger your nomination will be. Remember, the deadline is strict: all nominations must be submitted by midnight on Monday 7 September.
After that point, the judging panel will move forward with the evaluation process, culminating in the awards ceremony on 1 October, where the winners will be celebrated in front of an audience of industry leaders, media representatives, and fellow professionals. Don’t miss the chance to put your organisation’s achievements in the spotlight. Submit your nomination today, and consider joining the HR Summit to engage with the broader conversation about the future of work in gaming.