Diversity & Inclusion: Is the gaming industry making progress?
In 2025, the gaming and immersive technology industries will continue to evolve at an impressive pace. From AI integration to immersive storytelling and beyond, innovation is everywhere. But in the push for cutting-edge advancements, one question remains: is the industry truly inclusive? Our latest Immersive & Gaming Salary Survey asked professionals how they feel about diversity and inclusion where they work. The results are insightful…and in some cases, eye-opening.
Are companies doing enough?
A strong 71% of respondents said their organisation actively promotes diversity and inclusion. At face value, this is a positive indicator. Most companies are at least making D&I a visible part of their strategy. However, when we asked respondents to rate workforce diversity on a scale of 1 to 10, the average score was just 5.9, which is down from 6.2 in 2024. That’s a lukewarm rating, suggesting there’s still a significant gap between messaging and reality.
This gap points to a key issue: while companies may have D&I policies in place, there’s still work to be done when creating tangible, visible change within teams. For hiring managers, this is a reminder that diversity isn’t a one-time initiative. It requires long-term commitment, accountability and ongoing review.
The shifting perception of gender disparity
We also asked professionals if they experience gender disparity in their current roles. Only 43% said there was no disparity, which is a drop from 64% compared to last year’s findings. At the same time, 33% flagged salary and 33% pointed to workload distribution as areas where inequality still exists.
This shift doesn’t necessarily signal worsening conditions. In fact, it may reflect increased awareness among professionals, particularly as more conversations about equity and inclusion take place across the industry. The recognition that salaries and workloads may not be equal is a step toward greater transparency and accountability.
For businesses, these numbers should serve as a wake-up call. Equity isn’t just about offering the same benefits to everyone. It’s about making sure compensation, opportunities and responsibilities are fairly distributed and regularly reviewed.
Are people being paid fairly?
When it comes to fair pay across genders, 59% believe they’re compensated equally. However, 17% said they’re not, and a sizeable 33% said they’re not sure. That level of uncertainty is telling. It suggests that many professionals lack clarity or confidence in how pay is structured in their workplace.
In an industry driven by high-demand skills and specialist knowledge, pay parity should be a priority. Transparency in salary bands, regular pay audits and open dialogue around compensation can help close the gap, not just in reality, but in perception too.
The takeaway?
The data tells a story of progress, but not perfection. While many companies are clearly making efforts toward diversity and inclusion, professionals are still seeing and sensing gaps, especially when it comes to gender equality, fair pay and representation.
As the immersive and gaming industries push boundaries with tech and storytelling, it’s time to apply the same innovation to building truly inclusive teams. The companies that succeed won’t just tick a box. They’ll foster environments where people of all backgrounds thrive, contribute, and lead.
Are you hiring? Speak to the TechNET Immersive team for a professional and insightful approach! Be sure to follow us on LinkedIn for all the insights from our salary survey!
