Women in gaming have had a bumpy road when it comes to education, the workplace, or even just being a gamer. Just a few years ago, when I started at CGM, I was able to speak to high-level executives about their struggles coming up in the industry and was able to share my own. Even growing up as a gamer, I was lucky to have an equally geeky girl group, but heading into my late teens and early twenties, my hobbies were seen as immature and a joke.
Now, in 2025, I travel the world, work with a team I adore, doing something I truly believe in, and I get to talk about my passion every day. However, still more often than not, I am one of the only women in the room outside of people managing the events. When given the opportunity to talk to a few of the women at Gameforge about their experience between education and their roles today, I was genuinely pleased to hear that their company is doing things right, and that there is hope for women in gaming yet!
I spoke with Gameforge Software Developer, Yuka Chen, Head of Localization, Sarah Müller, and Community Manager and Product Community Manager for Metin2, Johanna Gielen, about their experience at Gameforge, advice for women in gaming or women looking to get into gaming, and what they love about gaming.
Tell us a bit about your role overall and how you ended up there.
Yuka Chen: I’m a software developer at Gameforge, where I primarily develop and maintain the backend systems that support user management and game integrations. My work ensures seamless game publishing, allowing players to create accounts, download, and start games without interruption.
During my CS studies, I developed a strong interest in software development and aspire to contribute to the gaming industry — a field I am truly passionate about. I chose backend development because I enjoy the behind-the-scenes role, ensuring everything operates smoothly. This was my dream job, and it still is.
Sarah Müller: I’m Sarah Müller, Head of Localization at Gameforge. My job is to ensure that all our games receive the necessary translations—delivered in the right quality, on time, within budget, and in the required format. Our goal is also to make the translations natural, engaging and fun in addition to being linguistically correct. As for how I got here… I started as a Community Manager when the company was only about 20 people, around 19 years ago.
Back then, localization wasn’t a dedicated role; it was something community managers handled on the side. But as we added more games and expanded into more languages, my boss asked if I wanted to take charge of localization full-time. From there, I built up the entire department, established processes, and helped implement and develop the tools we needed.
Johanna Gielen: As a Community Manager, my main role is to serve as the bridge between the game team and the players. I ensure that player feedback — both positive and negative — is heard internally with the goal of helping to enhance the overall gaming experience. I’ve always been passionate about the gaming industry and focused on game development and marketing during my studies in communication design.
While working for a game publisher during an internship, I further specialized in social media management and player engagement. Naturally, I wanted a career that aligned with my skills and interests, which led me to a Community Manager position at Gameforge. Given my prior knowledge of community management and my deep-rooted enthusiasm for gaming, I seized the opportunity—and it worked out!
Have you faced challenges as a woman in the gaming industry when you were getting started, and how have things changed in the last 5 years or so?
Yuka Chen: While over one-third of the workforce at Gameforge is female, when I joined, I was the only woman in my team. At the time, I believed that not many girls were interested in programming back in the days — similar to my experience in university. I was accustomed to this and didn’t find it particularly challenging, as the company culture is very collaborative and welcoming. However, I’m glad to see a growing number of women applying and demonstrating their skills in our department. We now have 50% women in the team!
Sarah Müller: I’ve never felt that I faced any challenges beyond what a male counterpart would have experienced. My concerns, ideas, and approaches were always heard and considered. Gameforge is a very fun and fair place to work, and equality is one of our primary core values.
Johanna Gielen: I haven’t personally faced challenges or disadvantages in the gaming industry due to my gender. At Gameforge, I feel equal to my colleagues, and my internship experience was the same. That said, I am a very confident person who does not tolerate disrespect, and I’ve always made my position clear from the start. That might have helped me establish an equal playing field early on. It helps that at Gameforge, equality is a driving core value, so no one is hindered by things like their sex, gender, age, or any other factor.
Now that you are part of a team, do you still face biases, etc, as a woman?
Yuka Chen: To be honest, I haven’t encountered any biases in my team. Identity markers are less significant at Gameforge, as everyone is unique in their own way; what truly matters is my personality and competence, which determine how enjoyable I am to work with and to befriend.
Sarah Müller: Not at all—I’ve never had that feeling. Gameforge fosters the kind of work environment that encourages collaboration and respect.
Johanna Gielen: I never experienced that sort of bias, to be honest. And currently, definitely not at all. My team is incredibly supportive, and I strongly believe this is due to Gameforge’s commitment to fostering a fair and fun work environment. In my experience, the company takes equality very seriously and addresses any potential issues swiftly. I’ve also been fortunate to have a boss who prioritizes a healthy and respectful team dynamic, and I think that also makes a great difference, regardless of where you work.
Not just as a woman but as a person in the gaming industry, what do you absolutely love about it?
Yuka Chen: The gaming industry feels more like a fan club — everyone is a gamer. There aren’t many industries driven by such passion. Our shared enthusiasm fosters similar values, naturally bringing us together as more than just colleagues.
Sarah Müller: The people. Everyone who works with games is incredibly passionate about what they do. And the industry itself never gets dull—you’re always learning something new, even after 19 years. Game engines evolve, new game modes emerge, and fresh approaches to old challenges keep things exciting.
Johanna Gielen: I love how people from all walks of life come together to create something that brings joy and entertainment to others. Multiplayer and co-op games, in particular, have the power to form friendships that last a lifetime, connecting players across the globe to do something they love.
What would you say to younger girls who want to get into this industry or maybe don’t know there is a place for them here?
Yuka Chen: I’ve often heard that male-dominated industries can be toxic, but I’ve always stayed authentic to myself and found happiness. Don’t let others define what is good or bad for you; instead, ask yourself what you love and what you want to achieve in life.
I moved to Germany alone, 9,000 km away from family and friends, barely speaking the language. I started a major that my parents didn’t approve of. Now, I have found my dream job in my favourite industry, and I have grown from a fresh junior to someone who can help and inspire others while speaking German fluently. Be your own game changer, and there will always be a place for you.
Sarah Müller: Explore what interests you and don’t be afraid to try new things. Also, don’t hesitate to apply for positions even if you only meet three out of five listed requirements—almost no one ticks all the boxes right from the start. Be open to learning!
Johanna Gielen: The gaming industry is an incredible space to be in. It can be challenging but also deeply rewarding, especially when you’re working alongside people who share your passion. There’s a place for everyone, regardless of gender. However, given the industry’s history, I strongly encourage young women to research potential workplaces in advance and be aware of the support networks available to them.
Sometimes, help is found within the workplace; other times, you may need to look further. Thankfully, we live in a globally connected world, and there will always be someone willing to stand by you. And if you ever feel like you have no one to turn to? Hit me up—I’m on LinkedIn.
Just for fun, what are some of your favourite video games/franchises?
Yuka Chen: Age of Empires 3 from childhood, Warcraft 3 from teenage years, EVE, Space Engineers, and OGame as an adult.
Sarah Müller: The Warcraft franchise (including World of Warcraft, which I played actively for a long time), The Settlers (though anything after Settlers 4 doesn’t feel like a “real” Settlers to me), Age of Empires, OGame
Johanna Gielen: My all-time favourite franchise is Ace Attorney by Capcom. Other games I really enjoy include Final Fantasy XIV, Elsword, and Animal Crossing. And when I’m in the mood for some action, I love a good hack-and-slash game.
The tides sure have turned compared to similar conversations CGM had with women in the gaming industry just a few years ago. Does this mean women in gaming no longer have to struggle? No, but it does mean that you can be a woman in gaming and have a positive experience and impact. We need more women out here, so this is a great sign that the industry is on the right track.
