HiG Manifesto
Why We Exist
The video game industry is built by people — yet too often, those people are divided.
Over time, well intentioned initiatives have fragmented the industry into increasingly narrow categories. Instead of collaboration, this has led to competition. Instead of opportunity, it has created gatekeeping. Instead of merit, access is frequently influenced by labels, networks, or financial power.
Humans in Games was created in response to this reality.
Our Journey
Humans in Games emerged from lived experience across independent development, collaboration, and industry engagement. We repeatedly saw talented teams struggle — not because of lack of skill, creativity, or effort, but because they did not fit into specific predefined frameworks or could not afford access to visibility and support.
We saw how systems designed to help individuals often ended up harming entire teams. We saw how pay-to-play models excluded innovation. And we saw how people were increasingly encouraged to compete against one another instead of building with one another.
That’s when we asked a simple question:
What would happen if we removed the boxes altogether?
Our Purpose
Humans in Games exists to create a single, shared space where:
Every human is treated equally
Access to opportunity is not sold
Skill, effort, and collaboration determine success
People are not separated by labels or identities
We believe that when everyone starts from the same place, merit naturally rises.
What We Believe
People come first. Always.
Fairness is not favoritism.
Access should never be gated by money or identity.
A healthy industry is built on collaboration, not division.
We do not work for categories. We work for humans.
Our Commitment
Through mentorship-driven boot-camps, shared learning, and open community spaces, Humans in Games aims to provide equal opportunities to professionals at all stages of their careers — from newcomers to industry veterans.
Our role is not to decide who succeeds.
Our role is to ensure that everyone has the same chance to succeed.
Looking Forward
We envision a video game industry where:
Talent is discovered because it is good — not because it is funded
People are valued for their work, not their labels
Collaboration replaces competition
Innovation is no longer locked behind paywalls
Humans in Games is not about changing who belongs in the industry.
It’s about remembering that everyone already does.