Here for your (F)requently (A)sked (Q)uestions:
- SO ... WHAT IS THIS EXACTLY?
A membership group open to people that work in the video games industry who are members of under-represented gender communities within it. Under-represented genders typically include women (trans & cis), all non-binary people, trans men, as well as anyone else whose gender identity is broadly underrepresented in the video games industry at large.
Together, we meet for regular virtual and occasional in-person events, as well as have a community Discord where we chat, support one another, and share networking opportunities.
SavePoint was created to give folks of under-represented genders in the video games industry a refuge from being the "odd-one-out" - like finally getting to the Save Point in a game after all the hard work getting there, this is a space you can kick back, relax, and feel free to just be yourself!
The "Industry Gathering" portion of the event represents our ties to the Games Industry Gathering, a networking space for industry professionals from all groups. - WHAT KIND OF VIRTUAL EVENTS?
On the third Thursday of every month we run a networking event in Discord across two separate sessions accommodating a wide range of timezones. When the group is big enough, we have multiple rooms available to choose from, giving you the power to move between conversations as you like. It's a simple yet surprisingly fun format, as you can drop in or out whenever you like during the time it runs. - WHAT KIND OF IN-PERSON EVENTS?
Several times a year, we hold free, ticketed, members-only events for networking in person. These are generally held in-line with large video games industry events like GDC (US) and Develop:Brighton (UK), with a range of formats from informal meetups in a public space, to catered networking events in venues chosen for their accessibility. - ARE THERE MEMBERSHIP FEES OR COSTS?
No. - HOW DO YOU CHOOSE WHO IS A PART OF SAVEPOINT INDUSTRY GATHERING?
When you apply, we ask for some basic info that helps us identify whether or not you're 1) a video games industry professional and 2) a part of an underrepresented gender group in the industry. Pretty much anyone who meets those two qualifiers is accepted, with a few caveats. Because we're a part of the same network as Games Industry Gathering, we don't admit anyone who's been removed from that networking group. And we won't invite anyone who we have reason to believe will make this an unsafe space for our members, whether that's due to public allegations of bad behavior or a prior history of antagonizing similar groups. Other than that, folks who meet those first two criteria are welcome. - HOW DO I ACCESS THE SAVEPOINT DISCORD?
We send out Discord details with your approval email, so if you've applied and been accepted, check that first. If you are still a member of SavePoint but left the Discord for whatever reason and want to regain access, reach out to savepoint@industrygathering.com. - I APPLIED BUT I HAVEN’T BEEN APPROVED YET, HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE?
Anywhere from a few days to a few weeks. We're volunteer-run and have full-time jobs, so it's just down to our schedules. But we always endeavor to approve applications ahead of each monthly meet-up. If you've been waiting a long time, check your spam/junk folders in case your invite fell in there, and check your emails/messages on any social platforms you linked us to — we may have had a question for you about your application. Otherwise, feel free to reach out to savepoint@industrygathering.com. - HOW DO I LEAVE/UNSUBSCRIBE?
Head to this page for details on how to be scrubbed from the list and you won't get any of our glorious emails ever again. - WHO RUNS THIS THING?
SavePoint Industry Gathering is totally run and managed by Katie Golden, Reese Wright, Kat Welsford, and Monica Fan. We also enlist the help of hosts during our monthly calls, and they are Rebekah Valentine, Devan Soyka, Lorna Birrell, Claire Barilla and Aquamarine Schutter. Additionally, we have the much needed help of Sarah "Lecta" Wanamaker, Ayan Abdu, Joyce Tammany and Cassie Makrides.
We are partnered with the Games Industry Gathering, created by Guy 'Yug' Blomberg, and several of our admins are also admins/hosts of GIG.