Latoya Peterson Explains How the Funding System Impacts Game Development Labour Market

During a presentation at the Game Developer Conference, Latoya Peterson, co-founder of Glow Up Games, shed light on the flaws in the games funding system and its impact on the labour market. Peterson, who has a background in journalism and has worked with prominent companies like Al Jazeera, ESPN, and Disney, pointed out the similarities between the games industry and the journalism industry in terms of funding and layoffs. She noted that the games industry is at the mercy of a fragile funding system, which can lead to layoffs and studio closures. Peterson emphasized that funding is a structural issue that affects the labour market, and that it is not just a matter of cash flow, but also a matter of people's lives. She highlighted the importance of addressing the funding landscape and asking hard questions about why certain people and projects get funded while others do not. Peterson also compared the games industry to the film industry, noting that film has a more diverse range of funding sources, which allows for more stability and equity. She concluded that in order to create a more equitable games industry, it is essential to address the funding system and find a more equitable way of distributing funding.