Ep. 97: Gina Hara | Building a Kinder Game Industry with Gamerella

In this episode of Creative Full Time, host Alison Mullings sits down with Gina Hara, co-director of Gamerella, an initiative that’s been shaping a more inclusive, supportive, and equitable gaming community since 2013.

Gina shares her journey into the gaming world and how Gamerella began as a safe space for underrepresented voices in game development. We talk about what goes into organizing these unique game jam events, the mentorship program that helps new creators thrive, and the importance of kindness and empathy in an often competitive industry.

If you’ve ever felt like you didn’t fit into traditional spaces in gaming or creative industries, this conversation will remind you that there is room for everyone and that community can be a catalyst for real change.

More about Gamerella at www.gamerella.ca

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Gamerella
03:35 The Structure and Philosophy of Game Jams
06:38 The Evolution of Gamerella
09:49 Gina's Journey into Game Making
12:22 Creating Inclusive Spaces in Gaming
15:36 The Impact of Community and Mentorship
18:34 Lessons Learned and Future Aspirations
25:14 Gamerella: Bridging Communities Online and Offline
26:26 Creating Welcoming Spaces for All
27:54 Inspiring Stories: A Grandmother's Game Jam Journey
29:41 Challenging Toxicity in Gaming Spaces
30:50 Sponsorships and Support for Gamerella
32:13 Innovative Mentorship Programs in Gaming
35:33 Realities of the Gaming Industry
39:22 The Co-Directors of Gamerella
41:17 Advice to Younger Self: Embrace Your Passion
44:36 Building Community and Family in Gaming