Nurturing a safe and inclusive workplace for our teams has always been our top priority. However, like the difference between an idea for a game and something you can actually play, values are only as good on paper as they are in action.
Last year, we began the work of translating these intentions into concrete initiatives. While this work is ongoing, we would like to share some of our progress with you today.
Our Values & EDI Statement.
“EDI” (Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion) encompasses such broad and vitally important concepts, which makes it nearly impossible to create a single statement to represent them all. Even so, it is critical for all employers to build and share one, so that we may hold ourselves accountable—and be held accountable in kind by our community.
You can read our official EDI statement here, as well as in each of our career listings. You can also discover our studio values on our website.
Our Land Acknowledgement.
Do you know the Nations’ land on which you live or work? Archiact is headquartered on xʷməθkʷəy̓əm, Sḵwx̱wú7mesh, and Sel̓íl̓witulh Nation territories, with our remote teammates residing on the lands of over a dozen other Nations.
Our acknowledgement, located on our website and spoken aloud during studio gatherings, seeks to celebrate the values these Nations uphold, while underscoring the colonial violence that continues to affect their peoples to this day.
Acknowledgement alone is not enough: we must continuously seek ways to increase prosperity and opportunity for Indigenous peoples, and combat anti-Indigeneity in all its forms.
Responding to the 92nd Call to Action.
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada provided those directly or indirectly affected by the legacy of the Indian Residential Schools system with an opportunity to share their stories and experiences. In 2015, the Commission issued 94 Calls to Action which outline the actions Canadians and those throughout the country can do to advance reconciliation.
We have created an action plan to address and internalize the 92nd Call To Action, which speaks directly to companies; you can read our statement here.
There Is Always More To Be Done.
We are ferociously proud to work and play among a global community of game-making creatives. And yet, our industry is not safe for everyone. Allegations of racism, sexism, cissexism, ableism, and other abuses are widespread. These cruelties result in some of the most talented developers among us being pushed out of our world; we are robbed of their brilliance, and they are left with unseen scars, their selves and careers indelibly marred.
It can be tempting to say: “That’s not us. We’re better than that.” But no one is able to see the whole picture at once, and not everyone is able or willing to speak up when workplace abuses occur.
This is why we see the pursuit of a better, safer, more equitable studio as never-ending. There is always something more to be done, something new to be tried. Our commitment to this critical work begins with what we’ve shared here today, and continues with planned initiatives far into the future.
If you have any questions about our EDI initiatives or our commitment to them, we encourage you to reach out to info@archiactvr.com and share your thoughts.
Stay safe, and take care of each other.
- The Archiact Team
Comments