How Ubisoft is using a mentorship program to diversify its development teams

gamedeveloper.com:

Ubisoft, the developer behind upcoming titles like Assassin’s Creed Mirage and Star Wars Outlaws is trying to diversify its workforce and find new talent through offering a mentorship program called Develop at Ubisoft.

Game Developer visited Ubisoft Toronto’s office and talked with Erin Roach, Director of Diversity and Inclusion for Ubisoft Canadian Studios to learn more about their mentorship program, how other studios could implement similar programs, and how Develop at Ubisoft (DAU) interfaces with the company’s big moves in addressing toxic workplace, and other misconduct allegations Ubisoft at large has faced across multiple studios.

Develop at Ubisoft is an annual mentorship program and competition designed specifically for helping people with underrepresented gender identities to gain experience in the games industry. Applicants can submit their own personal projects based on a challenge provided by Ubisoft and  receive feedback and mentorship from Ubisoft employees as they go through the application process.

Winners of the application process get to partake in a paid internship at the studio to further develop their skills. DAU currently offers three different disciplines for mentees to work in and develop their personal projects: Programming, Game Design, and Production Management.

While the requirements for who is encouraged to apply change depending on location, Ubisoft Toronto’s program is open to students and new graduates from marginalized backgrounds. Cisgender women, as well as transgender, nonbinary, or Two-spirit applicants are invited to apply.

Roach told us a bit more about the program’s ethos, “Mentees are supported to bring their project to life and they also have some other networking opportunities,