UK games industry gender pay gap report shows progress, but companies must do more

Earlier this month, large game studios in the UK were required to submit their annual gender pay gap data for the second year since the government initiative began in 2018. It's the first time we've been able to compare statistics between years, and from a surface-level reading, things are not looking great. In the 19 biggest games-related companies in the UK, the overall median gap widened by 3.5 per cent, and the game industry's median wage gap of 18.8 per cent remains significantly higher than the national average of 9.6 (via GamesIndustry.biz).

It's only the second year of reporting, but the data still provides a chance to discuss progression (or lack of it) along with the specific areas companies need to focus on to improve the situation. And, while it may appear to be all gloom and doom, there are some positives. The games industry still gives women better bonuses than the UK average, with 56.3 per cent of women in games receiving bonuses compared to 34.5 per cent nationally. Somewhat encouragingly, diversity slightly increased across all pay quartiles.

Yet if we want to see significant change any time soon, it's clear companies need to do more.

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