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Hey, Paizo. You know I love you, but you have forgotten to represent us women gamers on your staff. You have zero women on your RPG design/dev team, so you are not even reaching the lowly three percent number of women designers in the video game industry. And your newest hire in editing, which is a field that women tend to dominate in general publishing, is a man. Please add some diversity in your staff. You are a leader in diversity in gaming in publishing, so please be a leader in diversity in hiring, as well.
We look to you to lead this industry against sexism.
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I wonder how their applicant numbers breaks down in terms of qualified men vs qualified women. I'm not a big fan of the idea that a woman should be hired preferentially over an equally-qualified male in order to fill a perceived need for diversity.
That's a pretty touchy topic.
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I wonder how their applicant numbers breaks down in terms of qualified men vs qualified women. I'm not a big fan of the idea that a woman should be hired preferentially over an equally-qualified male in order to fill a perceived need for diversity.
That's a pretty touchy topic.
Agreed.
RPG Superstar 2014 Top 4, RPG Superstar 2012 Top 32
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I believe the selection process should be completely gender-blind (and by extension, color-blind, etc.), with no bias one way or the other.
That said, I would really love it if they hired a female designer. :) I think women should be actively encouraged more to apply for the designer jobs Paizo offers. That would increase diversity without compromising the integrity and equality of the selection process.
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I wonder how their applicant numbers breaks down in terms of qualified men vs qualified women. I'm not a big fan of the idea that a woman should be hired preferentially over an equally-qualified male in order to fill a perceived need for diversity.
That's a pretty touchy topic.
The problem ofcourse is this is circular. Due to the indursty's male dominated past, the vast majority of developers now adult years are the boys and young men who grew up playing the game in the 70s-90s. A young woman looking to join the industry see's all men sitting at the con panel, or in staff pictures, and see's mostly male perspective material in the game, and is less likely to get into the industry. People like Christina, and ofcourse Lisa are an exception, but there are still extra hurdles in front of women in the industry. Even if there is no overt bias, it is still a problem that needs specific action to correct in a reasonable amount of time.
Its not about people being hired preferentially, its about literally correcting a problem in the industry. A male developer is not qualified to assist in adding diversity to the perspectives and talent present in the dev staff. We already have male dominated staff.
I would be happy to see women on the rpg team, the wider range of perspectives the better. In the creative fields, especially one like rpgs where you are literally pretending to be something you arent, having people with different life experience will give us a better product.
Edit:
You know I just thought of an intersting idea that would drastically benefit from having both male and female designers. A guide to playing a gender swapped character. IE a male player playing a female character or the reverse. Some people do it well, some do not, and it would be cool to see in a product similar to the strategy guide.
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RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 32
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Edit:
You know I just thought of an intersting idea that would drastically benefit from having both male and female designers. A guide to playing a gender swapped character. IE a male player playing a female character or the reverse. Some people do it well, some do not, and it would be cool to see in a product similar to the strategy guide.
Actually, this sounds like it could be totally rad. Half RPG strategy guide, half sociological text.
Things to include (a non-exhaustive list):
-The differences between how dwarves and elves approach gender and sexuality
-Overviews of non-fictional concepts for non-binary genders, from historical to modern, and how to incorporate those into an RPG
-Agender dragons
-Illusionists who use their magic to create the most extravagant drag shows you've ever seen
-More modest cross-dressers who are just like, aristocrats and fighters and inquisitors and stuff
-Terms to use, a beginner's guide to eschewing heteronormativity and the gender binary, and the X-Card
Things to avoid:
-Gender essentialism: none of that men-are-from-Mars-women-are-from-Venus nonsense
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I have no reason to believe that a small business whose CEO is a} demonstrably progressive and b} a woman is in any way gender-biased against women. Quite the opposite.
With deepest respect to Christina who has put out a fair amount of excellent product, I'm going to have to decline the premise being presented. Paizo should continue to hire the candidates that they evaluate as being the most qualified of those who apply for positions.
I can wrap my head around discussions of beefcake/cheesecake quotients, NPC love-interest demographics, and gender-stereotypes within published fiction, but the idea that a company Lisa owns isn't hiring the right people isn't one I can get.
I have no reason to believe that a small business whose CEO is a} demonstrably progressive and b} a woman is in any way gender-biased against women. Quite the opposite.
With deepest respect to Christina who has put out a fair amount of excellent product, I'm going to have to decline the premise being presented. Paizo should continue to hire the candidates that they evaluate as being the most qualified of those who apply for positions.
I can wrap my head around discussions of beefcake/cheesecake quotients, NPC love-interest demographics, and gender-stereotypes within published fiction, but the idea that a company Lisa owns isn't hiring the right people isn't one I can get.
I don't think anyone believes there is gender bias in the hiring practices. That isnt the point. The state of the gaming world, and the industry itself requires specific action to become more inclusive. As I mentioned, it isnt about hiring someone less qualified. It is about valuing the idea of diversity itself and deliberately seeking it out.
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I don't think anyone believes there is gender bias in the hiring practices. That isnt the point. The state of the gaming world, and the industry itself requires specific action to become more inclusive. As I mentioned, it isnt about hiring someone less qualified. It is about valuing the idea of diversity itself and deliberately seeking it out.
Sorry, but that's not what the OP says. At all. It specifically calls out Paizo has Doing It Wrong. Paizo needs to lead the way, Paizo has forgotten, and "add some diversity". That's what it says.
What I'm saying is that there's every reason to believe that Paizo is hiring the most qualified applicants. If the desire is that the most qualified applicants be female, then what needs be done is the female applicants need to become more qualified than the male applicants, or more qualified females need to actually apply.
That's not under Paizo's control. That's my point.
I work in IT, where almost all of us are male, so this is far from the first time I've been through this discussion. Everything from "the industry needs to do more to make itself interesting and accessible to women" to discussions of in-workplace practices and habits. I totally get it that some workplaces are woman-unfriendly, and that shouldn't be tolerated. But Paizo isn't that.
Where is the money coming from to pay for this new position?
Was there an increase in revenue?
Or are we laying someone off?
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RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 32
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Where is the money coming from to pay for this new position?
Was there an increase in revenue?
Or are we laying someone off?
They're currently hiring a new developer.
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I wonder how their applicant numbers breaks down in terms of qualified men vs qualified women. I'm not a big fan of the idea that a woman should be hired preferentially over an equally-qualified male in order to fill a perceived need for diversity.
That's a pretty touchy topic.
The problem ofcourse is this is circular. Due to the indursty's male dominated past, the vast majority of developers now adult years are the boys and young men who grew up playing the game in the 70s-90s. A young woman looking to join the industry see's all men sitting at the con panel, or in staff pictures, and see's mostly male perspective material in the game, and is less likely to get into the industry. People like Christina, and ofcourse Lisa are an exception, but there are still extra hurdles in front of women in the industry. Even if there is no overt bias, it is still a problem that needs specific action to correct in a reasonable amount of time.
Its not about people being hired preferentially, its about literally correcting a problem in the industry. A male developer is not qualified to assist in adding diversity to the perspectives and talent present in the dev staff. We already have male dominated staff.
I would be happy to see women on the rpg team, the wider range of perspectives the better. In the creative fields, especially one like rpgs where you are literally pretending to be something you arent, having people with different life experience will give us a better product.
Edit:
You know I just thought of an intersting idea that would drastically benefit from having both male and female designers. A guide to playing a gender swapped character. IE a male player playing a female character or the reverse. Some people do it well, some do not, and it would be cool to see in a product similar to the strategy guide.
I really do not believe you are qualified to decide that men are not qualified to assist in adding diversity. In fact, that smacks of sexism, and that is offensive.
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I'm not saying that what the sex of the new hire should be. I'll even step back and say it doesn't have to be so binary.
But having said all of that, I certainly hope that as many women are going to go after this brass ring. The industry needs you. After all of this bunk with GamerGate and the like, we need some heroes. People in the industry that lead and and show others that this is an inclusive community. I think that Paizo does that now, I think it does it well and I feel that adding a woman's voice to this mix makes both Paizo and the industry stronger.
Even still..., to may the best person win.
</soapbox>
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I really do not believe you are qualified to decide that men are not qualified to assist in adding diversity. In fact,...I wonder how their applicant numbers breaks down in terms of qualified men vs qualified women. I'm not a big fan of the idea that a woman should be hired preferentially over an equally-qualified male in order to fill a perceived need for diversity.
That's a pretty touchy topic.
The problem ofcourse is this is circular. Due to the indursty's male dominated past, the vast majority of developers now adult years are the boys and young men who grew up playing the game in the 70s-90s. A young woman looking to join the industry see's all men sitting at the con panel, or in staff pictures, and see's mostly male perspective material in the game, and is less likely to get into the industry. People like Christina, and ofcourse Lisa are an exception, but there are still extra hurdles in front of women in the industry. Even if there is no overt bias, it is still a problem that needs specific action to correct in a reasonable amount of time.
Its not about people being hired preferentially, its about literally correcting a problem in the industry. A male developer is not qualified to assist in adding diversity to the perspectives and talent present in the dev staff. We already have male dominated staff.
I would be happy to see women on the rpg team, the wider range of perspectives the better. In the creative fields, especially one like rpgs where you are literally pretending to be something you arent, having people with different life experience will give us a better product.
Edit:
You know I just thought of an intersting idea that would drastically benefit from having both male and female designers. A guide to playing a gender swapped character. IE a male player playing a female character or the reverse. Some people do it well, some do not, and it would be cool to see in a product similar to the strategy guide.
I'm not really understanding your point is speaking in the specific or in the general. Either way, It's a bit of a stretch to imply that the person you are quoting is being sexist. Biased perhaps...
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...I really do not believe you are qualified to decide that men are not qualified toI wonder how their applicant numbers breaks down in terms of qualified men vs qualified women. I'm not a big fan of the idea that a woman should be hired preferentially over an equally-qualified male in order to fill a perceived need for diversity.
That's a pretty touchy topic.
The problem ofcourse is this is circular. Due to the indursty's male dominated past, the vast majority of developers now adult years are the boys and young men who grew up playing the game in the 70s-90s. A young woman looking to join the industry see's all men sitting at the con panel, or in staff pictures, and see's mostly male perspective material in the game, and is less likely to get into the industry. People like Christina, and ofcourse Lisa are an exception, but there are still extra hurdles in front of women in the industry. Even if there is no overt bias, it is still a problem that needs specific action to correct in a reasonable amount of time.
Its not about people being hired preferentially, its about literally correcting a problem in the industry. A male developer is not qualified to assist in adding diversity to the perspectives and talent present in the dev staff. We already have male dominated staff.
I would be happy to see women on the rpg team, the wider range of perspectives the better. In the creative fields, especially one like rpgs where you are literally pretending to be something you arent, having people with different life experience will give us a better product.
Edit:
You know I just thought of an intersting idea that would drastically benefit from having both male and female designers. A guide to playing a gender swapped character. IE a male player playing a female character or the reverse. Some people do it well, some do not, and it would be cool to see in a product similar to the strategy guide.
The bolded portion is that to which I was referring.
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I really do not believe you are qualified to decide that men are not qualified to assist in adding diversity. In fact, that smacks of sexism, and that is offensive.
There is no sexism in my comment. Just plain fact. I am a man. If I join a group of other men and we all share the male gender identity, then by definition, I have not added to the gender diversity of that group of people. Thats what diversity means, and in the context of the OP we are talking about Gender Diversity. Now obviously, if paizo hired someone biologically male who doesnt identify as male, that would add gender diversity, but that isnt what I meant, and I dont think thats how you took my meaning.
Can different men offer diversity of experience, culture, heritage to a group? Of course. But if as the OP was we are talking gender diversity, then adding someone the same gender as the others in the group, doesnt diversify gender.
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(To the OP)
Nonsense, for all its faults Paizo doesn't seem discriminatory in its hiring policies based on the genders(male, female, trans) and sexual orientations of its employees.
Therefore the onus does not fall on Paizo but on the number of people of any group applying for the position.
Paizo should simply hire whoever is best.
So what I'm saying is more women should apply not that they should be given special treatment.
With any luck more do and we don't need threads like these.
Thanks for commenting, folks. I'm not saying Paizo is wrong. Paizo does great things, and I am a HUGE FAN. I'm only saying that I'd like to see some women on the team; as many of you know, getting women in the industry is one of the things that I am most passionate about. In order to make it happen--just like in the regular business world in certain sectors--it may take Paizo making a direct effort to recruit a woman. Of course, I, obviously, would not want them to hire someone who cannot do the job. That's TOTALLY NOT what I'm saying. There are qualified women out there.
At any rate, I have sent out FB messages to women I know who would be qualified to submit an application for the job, bringing it to their attention. Jessica Price has likewise sent out a message on tumblr to get women interested in applying. I think Paizo is THE company to work for. I think they would be a great place for a woman game designer to work--a very comfortable, sexist-free environment that would want to help her succeed and be a role model for other women.
Additionally, it is not against Paizo's previous practice to just go out and make an offer to someone they want on the team. I think Amanda Hamon-Kunz or Tracy Davis Hurley would be good people for such a position. Heck, I'd absolutely love to have such the position myself, though I'm not as young and spry as these ladies.
So, I apologize if my original post came off as Paizo is wrong. I am not accussing them of bad hiring practices; I absolutely know Paizo is not biased in favor of men. I am asking them to reach out to make a direct hire of a qualified woman for this position--or one like it.
I repeat: PAIZO IS WONDEFUL! I LOVE PAIZO. PAIZO ROCKS!!!
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I don't think anyone believes there is gender bias in the hiring practices. That isnt the point. The state of the gaming world, and the industry itself requires specific action to become more inclusive. As I mentioned, it isnt about hiring someone less qualified. It is about valuing the idea of diversity itself and deliberately seeking it out.
Yes, this.
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Have you taken a look at who's sitting in the Big Chair? If you look at staff size, Paizo is pretty much a mom and pop shop compared to the average video game studio.
Yes, I know Lisa, and I know she sits in the big chair. That fact is BEYOND GREAT, certainly. I'm just saying I'd like to see at least *a* woman on the design team. Women gamers need role models on the gaming ground level, too. That's one of the reasons I do panels at cons specifically aimed at women in gaming: to let them know that women game designers exist, so they have someone to model as they move toward their own dreams.
Sometimes it takes active recruitment to make this happen. IT departments and colleges are doing it all over the US to ensure women and minorities get access to jobs they otherwise might not.
Again, my apologies to Paizo if I came off as calling them wrong, when my intent was to ask them to consider bringing in some women to the inner-workings of the game.
I'm talking about qualified individuals. I'm not pushing for someone who is not capable of doing the job. Obviously, there are those who disagree with you about the need for diversity in various fields.
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this was a bad way of doing a good thing
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If we shot the messenger every time someone expressed an opinion that might not be delivered to everyone's satisfaction, the piles around her would be pretty high.
I like to think that I can step back, look at what the intention was and take it in. make of that what you will...
Thanks, Chris. My bad.
Christina,
[Obviously a joke]Be honest, this is the the start of stacking the deck in favour of your aplication for the developer role, isn't it? :-) [/obviously a joke]
After making this public plea, I'm likely banned for life. :) If my current edit job ends up being my last for them, you'll know why--the medusa has been silenced as an infidel.
Honestly, I don't think they'd even consider me, so no one has anything to worry about there. There are other women who would be more suited to join their ranks.
Seriously, though, I love what Paizo is and what they've been accomplished in the name of diversity. No other game company has made the strides that Paizo has. That is why we shower them with our buying dollars. They have my utmost respect.
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I really do not believe you are qualified to decide that men are not qualified to assist in adding diversity. In fact, that smacks of sexism, and that is offensive.
There is no sexism in my comment. Just plain fact. I am a man. If I join a group of other men and we all share the male gender identity, then by definition, I have not added to the gender diversity of that group of people. Thats what diversity means, and in the context of the OP we are talking about Gender Diversity. Now obviously, if paizo hired someone biologically male who doesnt identify as male, that would add gender diversity, but that isnt what I meant, and I dont think thats how you took my meaning.
Can different men offer diversity of experience, culture, heritage to a group? Of course. But if as the OP was we are talking gender diversity, then adding someone the same gender as the others in the group, doesnt diversify gender.
This is a good way to phrase it.
Think of it also as role models for your daughters. Also, your sons who now see more women involved in gaming. Pretty awesome.
Just because we tell our daughters and our sons that "gender doesn't matter," a picture is worth a thousand words, a thousand sets of proof.
Assuming that such an applicant would be "less qualified and do an awful job of it" is also an insult to Paizo, Paizo's staff, and their capability to choose a suitable individual.
Christina,
[Obviously a joke]Be honest, this is the the start of stacking the deck in favour of your aplication for the developer role, isn't it? :-) [/obviously a joke]After making this public plea, I'm likely banned for life. :) If my current edit job ends up being my last for them, you'll know why--the medusa has been silenced as an infidel.
Honestly, I don't think they'd even consider me, so no one has anything to worry about there. There are other women who would be more suited to join their ranks.
Seriously, though, I love what Paizo is and what they've been accomplished in the name of diversity. No other game company has made the strides that Paizo has. That is why we shower them with our buying dollars. They have my utmost respect.
No offense meant Christina, but does this mean you're not applying at all?
It just seems that, it runs counter to your argument. I consider you a very established woman of the RPG industry, someone I'd expect to apply and have a chance of this position, and seeing you say things like you do not feel qualified or wouldn't be considered...what are less established female applicants to think if the established and talented Christina Stiles doesn't feel she qualifies and won't apply? Like many others, I think that Paizo would certainly make the right decision of diversification if the applicants were present in the pool.
I've read the post by Jessica and found it more apt to the point of encouraging applicants to diversify the pool and instantly reblogged it (for whatever good it does in my small network).
Again, my apologies, certainly an application is a very personal issue with many reasons why not to apply. But, I guess I object to the idea that you should not qualify because you do not feel qualified. I would disagree with that.
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A female designer on board would be cool and there are several that would do well on the design team.
There are other women who would be more suited to join their ranks.
Name two.
Seriously, d20-experienced designers with more chops. Not necessarily authors in the sense of adventure-writers, but actual rules creators.
I know I've pooh-poohed this thread and I won't recant, but I disagreed respectfully, because I can't name two. I can't name one, actually.
So I'd be interested in hearing your candidate list.
Creative Director
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There are other women who would be more suited to join their ranks.Name two.
Seriously, d20-experienced designers with more chops. Not necessarily authors in the sense of adventure-writers, but actual rules creators.
I know I've pooh-poohed this thread and I won't recant, but I disagreed respectfully, because I can't name two. I can't name one, actually.
So I'd be interested in hearing your candidate list.
Note that this position is for a developer, NOT a designer. A woman with a lot of experience writing adventures would be MUCH more appropriate than one who's got lots of rules design chops.
That said, I absolutely hope we get a lot of women applying for the job. I can think of several off the top of my head whom I'd love to see apply for the position.
There are other women who would be more suited to join their ranks.Name two.
Seriously, d20-experienced designers with more chops. Not necessarily authors in the sense of adventure-writers, but actual rules creators.
I know I've pooh-poohed this thread and I won't recant, but I disagreed respectfully, because I can't name two. I can't name one, actually.
So I'd be interested in hearing your candidate list.
Note that this position is for a developer, NOT a designer. A woman with a lot of experience writing adventures would be MUCH more appropriate than one who's got lots of rules design chops.
That said, I absolutely hope we get a lot of women applying for the job. I can think of several off the top of my head whom I'd love to see apply for the position.
Thanks James; I hadn't read the posting.
I guess I could add one name to my list then, but she's already got things to do at her existing job... at Paizo.
I'm still interested in hearing some names though... Christina is fairly prolific.
I think I'm qualified, yes, and I had planned to submit, but I figure my public plea for a woman in the actual game-side of things might label me as TROUBLE. I've written plenty of adventures, source material, and fluff. I have also done freelance editing for Paizo. I even publish my own material. So, I've been on many sides of the fence.
I'd honestly love to work for Paizo as an employee--it would truly be my dream job--but I don't think they would hire someone as opinionated as myself. Therefore, I will continue to support other women in trying to achieve their dream of working for them.
Thank you, though, to any of you who'd like to see me on the team. That means a great deal to me. Note that I will continue to produce material for Pathfinder under my own various banners. I love the game, after all.
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My candidate list would include Crystal Frasier (who has written Paizo adventures), Amber Scott (who has written Paizo adventures, but who likely would not leave her video-game job), Amanda Hamon-Kunz, Tracy Davis Hurley, and many of the women who formerly worked for Wotc. I'd throw in Jean Rabe, but she is happily writing novels.
From what I understand they are actually doing the hiring using a blind test.
That is if you have the qualifications, your submissions of work and design are being sent to be reviewed with no names or identifying info attached - which means they are likely to pick whoever impresses them the most.
These type of blind auditions typically favor female candidates.
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I'd honestly love to work for Paizo as an employee--it would truly be my dream job--but I don't think they would hire someone as opinionated as myself.
Again, apologies if this seems like sticking my nose into your business or too opinionated, but I'd say, put your name in and let Paizo be the one to determine if they want you or not. Why dash your dream job without even giving yourself a chance?
Again, to the goal of getting a female developer, why would you withhold such a qualified candidate as yourself? The worst they can say is no.