Limit Break has opened its 2024 mentorship program in an attempt to help underrepresented and marginalized groups in the UK as the gaming industry as a whole struggles amid mass layoffs.
The mentorship program is now in its sixth year and Limit Break is hoping that it can continue connecting people from underrepresented and marginalized backgrounds with experienced industry mentors. The latter can hopefully help nurture the former's talent and creativity.
Limit Break 2024 Mentorship Program
(Photo : Limit Break / Screenshot taken from official website)
The organization was first founded in 2019 and had 100 members at the time but has since expanded and engaged with more than 1,300 mentors and mentees last year alone. In a press release, Limit Break explained that the free program offers a "unique opportunity for participants to forge connections, exchange knowledge, and support their professional growth."
It added that the mentorship program lasts for six months where mentees from diverse backgrounds and disciplines are connected with experienced mentors from all across the gaming industry. The program will include monthly one-to-one meetings, access to exclusive events, resources, and guidance, according to GameDeveloper.
Anybody working for a UK-based game company that identifies as part of a marginalized or underrepresented gender, orientation, or ethnicity group is allowed to apply as mentees. This also includes neurodiverse people and individuals who have disabilities. The organization also encourages mentors who have more than three years of experience in the industry to support the program.
The founder of Limit Break, Anisa Sanusi, said that they are super passionate about how the mentorship program can help support and develop diverse talent in the gaming industry. She added that they are also extremely excited to launch a sixth year of the program.
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The work that the organization is doing is only made possible thanks to the support of sponsors from across the gaming industry. Limit Break encourages those who are willing to support the cause to contact them via their email.
The mentorship program is coordinated by the Limit Break Committee and receives support and sponsorship from several UK organizations and companies. It seeks to keep the gaming industry rich with diverse talent and passion, said GamesPress.
The State of the Gaming Industry
It comes as the gaming industry has seen a surge in mass layoffs among various companies, even the biggest players. Previous reports noted that nearly 6,500 video game workers have already been kicked out of their jobs in the first two months of this year alone. That number represents a massive spike compared to last year at the same time when there were only more than 1,000 layoffs.
Many people are now wondering why gaming layoffs have seemingly become commonplace despite it being considered the most lucrative entertainment industry. One of the primarily accepted reasons is the lasting effects of the coronavirus pandemic.
Many businesses sought qualified workers in 2020 to fill their missing roles amid various lockdowns. But now, the majority of companies are no longer working remotely and already have a steady workflow.
Due to the sheer number of people who are now working at these firms, the easiest way to make up for lost revenue seems to be to lay off workers. This is particularly true if they were hired at the height of the health crisis, according to the Daily Sundial.
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