#Teamforged Women | International Women's Day
I’m Rae Dixon, a Brand Manager here at Steamforged Games and a Women In Games Ambassador! I wanted to take a moment on International Women’s Day to talk about the incredible women that have been a part of the team here at Steamforged.
Tabletop Gaming is an industry that is incredibly inclusive in my experience as a LGBTQ+ woman, and though the world and the hobby has a long way to go in terms of representing women (cis, trans, or otherwise) tabletop gaming is getting a lot right so far.
International Women’s Day is about a lot of things but for me, this year especially, it’s about celebrating the achievements of the incredible women I’ve had the opportunity to work with. I’ve asked them a few questions here that will hopefully give you a glimpse into the work they have done…
Operations Director - Judy Guan
Can you tell me a bit about your experience?
I work with a team of talented and dedicated Project Managers and Fulfilment colleagues to deliver Steamforged Games from paper and files to shelves and into gamer’s hands. The Production Team (Project Managers) take on the responsibility of planning and coordinating how each of the products are made, and the fulfilment team manages how these products are delivered to customers in a safe and timely manner. The whole supply chain has to be robust and sustainable in order to support our long term growth. It is my role to strategically manage the supply chain as well as overseeing the day-to-day operations.
How did you get into tabletop gaming?
Professionally, I come from a background of various manufacturing and wholesale/retail industries, but none as fascinating as tabletop gaming so far. Having been a keen miniature painter in years gone-by, I was immediately attracted to the opportunity working with Steamforged Games when it came up. I wanted to contribute to the making of the games, work with the creative minds behind these beautiful products, and let’s be honest, who doesn’t want to be on the credit page of a Steamforged Games?
What’s your favourite bit about your job?
Getting my hands on the first of all production copies of Steamforged Games!
What’s your favourite project you’ve worked on?
This might be a bit controversial – Dark Souls RPG Collector’s Edition book. I couldn’t stop flicking through the book. It’s such a beautiful thing. Or I could say – Horizon Zero Dawn the Board Game and expansions. There are so many high quality minis and components in this range, I don’t even know where to start. And all the boxes stack up to almost as tall as a person!
Financial Controller - Vanessa O’Brian
Can you tell me a bit about your experience?
I produce monthly management accounts that are included in the board pack and produce cashflow. I also process all payments to suppliers and hauliers etc. I manage the small team, I liaise with auditors and do payroll. I also analyse monthly sales for the sales team.
How did you get into tabletop gaming?
I got into tabletop gaming simply from childhood spent many hours with family socialising over games. Since joining SFG in 2019 been involved with the complex and exciting games we produce.
What’s your favourite bit about your job?
I’d have to say the variety and complexity of the business. I just love to see the games produced and shipped especially following a Kickstarter from inception to fulfilment it’s very satisfying.
Brand Manager - Emma King
Can you tell me a bit about your experience?
I am one of the Brand Managers here at SFG, predominantly that means cultivating and activating marketing plans for the brands I manage. Along with any PR activity and getting involved in Playthrough videos, where the ever talented designers try and teach me how to play our new games, whilst on camera… No pressure!
How did you get into tabletop gaming?
I’ve been in the toys and games industry for a while now, starting off with Disney UK and then heading to Bandai UK for a number of years. Steamforged’s games are something I haven't experienced before but it didn’t take long to immerse myself in this tabletop world - I now host a fortnightly games night. We are currently battling our way through Bardsung and loving it!
What’s your favourite bit about your job?
I really enjoy working with such creative and talented people. Being able to watch an idea I have come to fruition, particularly our cinematic style trailers.
What’s your favourite project you’ve worked on?
It’s actually the one I’m currently working on, bringing Rare’s Sea of Thieves video game to the tabletop. The awesome pirate-themed graphics make my job almost effortless, as there’s so much to show off and talk about. There’s going to be some really cool content coming out soon but I don’t want to share too much and spoil it for everyone!
Marketing Manager - Chynna-Blue Scott
Can you tell me a bit about your experience?
Of course. I’m the Crowdfunding Marketing Manager, which means I run the marketing for all Steamforged Games Kickstarter campaigns. That involves everything from high-level strategy and campaign planning, to day-to-day stuff like creating social posts and writing Kickstarter updates.
In the past I’ve been both a Copywriter and a Digital Marketing Manager, so I’ve got a soft spot for written comms and analytics, and my degree is in psychology, so I love a good survey. All of that’s been incredibly useful in developing our marketing approach for Kickstarter campaigns, where we try to focus on giving our backers not just a great end product, but a great experience from pledging to fulfillment (and beyond!).
How did you get into tabletop gaming?
Honestly? About four years ago, when I started at Steamforged. As someone interested in history and fantasy, tabletop games had always piqued my interest, but I couldn’t find an obvious “in”. The idea of walking into a local gaming store was daunting and none of the friends I had at the time were keen.
Then the job at Steamforged came up and I thought, “This is my chance”, both professionally and personally. And it’s still one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. Gaming is now a huge part of my life. Many of the fantastic people I work with have become gaming friends. And I’ve been lucky enough to work alongside some extremely knowledgeable people, who also happen to be skilled gamers themselves.
There’s actually a chance I’ve picked up too much, if The Great Blood Rage Massacre of 2020 is anything to go by.
What’s your favourite bit about your job?
Oh, gosh, I don’t think I could choose just one.
Using data to understand our audiences, and then using that knowledge to creatively deliver people content they actually want to engage with. Not just marketing to people, but entertaining them, so they want to be part of the experience.
Seeing months of hard work from the talented creatives at Steamforged finally revealed to the community, and being right there with the backers, feeling the same excitement, as we build up to a big launch.
Working in dedicated project teams, where we’re all putting in serious love, time, and effort to make bold ideas a reality.
And playing all the games, of course. That’s 100% a huge bonus.
What’s your favourite project you’ve worked on?
Okay, this time I definitely can’t pick just one. All the Kickstarters I’ve worked on have been awesome, for different reasons.
Growing the Bardsung community and building to a crescendo with our choose-your-own-adventure story was epic. The hunter journals we did for Monster Hunter World: The Board Game are still some of our best performing articles — those pledges have already started arriving with backers, and the response has been fantastic so far. The Resident Evil community was incredible during our open world exploration of the mansion. And the ELDEN RING: The Board Game press event was absolutely a career highlight.
Those are just a handful of moments that spring to mind, but there are plenty more — and plenty more exciting things to come in 2023.
Head of Marketing (Soon!) - Krystal Ramsey
Can you tell me a bit about what your role will be?
My role will be Head of Marketing - I'll be responsible for creating, collaborating on and implementing Marketing Strategy for Steamforged Games, I'll be working with the internal teams and the Marketing team to create, output and manage all Marketing activity across the IP within the Steamforged Umbrella.
What do you enjoy most about tabletop gaming?
There's two parts for me, it's mostly the community - the experience of getting round a table with friends, family or even strangers to play great games! Following the isolation that many of us felt during the pandemic, being able to play tabletop games again is an activity that I have relished - I don't think I'll ever take for granted the ability to sit around a table with friends again! The second part is the experience of gaming, whether that's board games or miniatures tabletop gaming there's a real element of discovery, whether that's a new strategy for playing a game, a new way of playing with miniatures - I just think tabletop gaming is a very educational and fun way to enjoy gaming.
What’re you most excited for ahead of joining the team?
Steamforged has long been a brand that I would take a keen interest in, not only from the IP and games produced but also the company. I really liked what Rich and Mat were doing with Steamforged. With a background in tabletop gaming myself I knew that it was a brand that I would love to work for, but I think ahead of joining the team - mostly it's getting to meet and spend time with the teams at SFG, there's so much talent and passion within the brand that I can't wait to spend time working among the team, rolling up my sleeves and getting stuck in.
What’s your career highlight so far?
I think for me there's probably a couple that immediately come to mind - whilst working for another tabletop gaming company I worked on the launch of their 9th edition of one of their core IP games in my first few months with the company, despite the pandemic hitting and the national lockdowns in place, with many of our team on furlough, those of us in Marketing really pulled together and managed to connect thousands of people together through a mutual passion for the game for its release - in a time of uncertainty, ambiguity and isolation that felt especially empowering seeing an entire community come together.
Equal to that was in the last six months of working for a video games publisher that was releasing our multiplayer esports-like, crossplay cross platform video game with one of our independent developer studios. Watching the developers reach their 1million players milestone was a particular high point this year.
Brand Manager - Rae Dixon (Oh hey, it’s me!)
Can you tell me a bit about your experience?
I’m one of the brand managers here at Steamforged! I look after Epic Encounters, Animal Adventures and a few other brands. By look after I mean I’m involved in everything that is related to the brand from production and development meetings through to our social media posts. When you leave a comment on the Epic Encounter’s Instagram, it’s probably me replying to you - hey! I work really closely with the other departments like our product owners, our graphics and sculpting teams, and the trade team.
How did you get into tabletop gaming?
Comic book shops and friendly local game stores were like a second home to me growing up - that’s where you’ll likely find me at my happiest. I’ve always been big into video games and then slowly but surely I was pulled into the hobby of tabletop games and RPGs. Working for Asmodee was probably the tipping point for me - now I can’t move for Kallaxs and tabletop games are second nature!
What’s your favourite bit about your job?
Working in tabletop gaming is unlike any other industry; the projects I get to work on, the products I get to play with and look after - it makes taking life a bit less seriously very easy! That’s my biggest recommendation - find something to work on that is fun!
What’s your favourite project you’ve worked on?
How to choose?! It’s one of my most recent projects but I’m a bit obsessed with Epic Encounters: Nest of the Dinosaur - it’s just too cool. Every meeting I have had about that project is just me and the team getting excited about it.
Graphic Designer - Abby Thornton
Can you tell me a bit about your experience?
My role is super exciting and I get to work with a wide range of graphic design mediums across Steamforged. This can be anything from designing graphics used for advertising and socials, through to game elements such as cards, tokens, packaging and rulebooks.
How did you get into tabletop gaming?
I’ve always been a big fan of video games growing up, and having the opportunity to work with big AAA titles and translate them into tabletop games has really opened the door to a new world of gaming for me.
What’s your favourite bit about your job?
I love being involved in creating something tangible that people are going to play and enjoy. It feels amazing walking into a store and seeing Steamforged products, that I’ve played a part in bringing to life, on the shelves.
What’s your favourite project you’ve worked on?
It’s impossible to choose. I loved working on Resident Evil, I’m a big fan of the video game, so it was very exciting to have the opportunity to work on the design and take more ownership on that project. Working on the Retro Pack expansion was nostalgic to me and hopefully that translated to our customers…anything with blood splats is cool too!
Accounting Assistant - Jo Bebb
Can you tell me a bit about your experience?
My role is Accounts Assistant which mainly entails dealing with purchase invoices from suppliers/subcontractors and ensuring they are authorised and input correctly ready for payment. I also allocate payments/receipts when they are paid into the account
How did you get into tabletop gaming?
I would love to say that I'm a tabletop gamer but I'd be lying! It is however interesting to see people's passion around them.
What’s your favourite bit about your job?
My favourite part of the job is working within a close knit team and any challenges that arise...we work as one. Also colleagues across the business are very supportive and helpful.
Digital Designer - Nicole H.D.W. Sinclair
Can you tell me a bit about your experience?
My role is digital designer, I'm part of the graphics team here at steamforged games and I predominantly work on graphics for the marketing of our products; so an array of different social graphics, mailers, ensuring website graphics are suitable, I have worked on our show banners also and many trade items such as our product sell sheets and magazine ads.
How did you get into tabletop gaming?
I've always enjoyed playing video games, but I got into tabletop gaming after playing a game of Magic the Gathering with my close friends. I loved how you could curate your own story and appreciate the tactility to tabletop, alongside the in-person social interaction. Since then I have learnt about the vast array of tabletop games there are in a variety of genres which made me more engaged in my interest.
What’s your favourite bit about your job?
My favourite part of the job is probably a mixture of two things: one being able to work with an amazing creative team and seeing their working process, and also being able to work on upcoming projects, and guiding the direction of the visual style.
What’s your favourite project you’ve worked on?
It has got to be the kickstarter for Resident Evil. I absolutely love anything zombie and vampire related, so to be able to work on such an iconic zombie based IP was a dream.
Graphic Designer - Jessica Santoso
Can you tell me a bit about your experience?
I'm Jess, part of the Graphic Design team with focus on brand marketing, so I'm mainly responsible for promotional assets and occasionally branch out to Kickstarter page design as well.
How did you get into tabletop gaming?
Initially I was (and still am) a video game enthusiast, it wasn't until I came to the UK for my postgraduate that I got introduced to board game nights, starting with Catan and a few sessions of a D&D campaign. It was a very different experience and I really enjoyed it.
What’s your favourite bit about your job?
I've always been a fan of the fantasy genre and a lot of the games that SFG produced are right up that alley. Being able to take part in that and see the final result is the most satisfying feeling I've ever gotten professionally. When you're surrounded by amazingly talented and supportive co-workers, it'll always inspire you to improve and grow, and I feel so lucky to have found that here.
What’s your favourite project you’ve worked on?
My favourite project has to be Epic Encounter: Local Legends, as it was my gateway project at SFG. The visuals and concept are very unique, it was very enjoyable to work on.
Product Manager - Candy Chan
Can you tell me a bit about your experience?
I act as a bridge between internal and external partners (including freelance, factory, licensor, etc). Ensure products at cost, delivered on time and best quality.
How did you get into tabletop gaming?
I previously worked for a few toy companies (both large and small including Mattel and Hasbro). Product nature was similar to SFG where the main components were made in plastic and paper. SFG is my first job after returning to the UK.
What’s your favourite bit about your job?
Getting everyone involved, aware of deadlines and hitting target launch dates.
What’s your favourite project you’ve worked on?
I like all of them as they are all very different with different IP, different Product Owner and Licensor etc.
Studio & Licensing Manager - Emma Higgins
Can you tell me a bit about your experience?
Whenever someone asks me what I do - I say I help take peoples amazing game ideas and help get it onto actual physical product in the shops... but in a nutshell as Studio and Licensing Manager I have 2 main responsibilities, I manage our licensor relationships for all of Steamforged's amazing 3rd party IP working with the creative and commercial directors on the pitch, proposals, contracts and ensuring we are meeting all of our contractual obligations. In addition to that I also manage the day to day running of our creative studio which is an amazing team of graphic designers, multimedia designers and sculptors making sure everyone knows where and when they need to be working on what.
How did you get into tabletop gaming?
In a word, accidentally... no in all seriousness I have worked in Licensing for nearly 10 years now, but have always gravitated towards gaming and pop culture IPs because despite not being a gamer myself I have always respected the passion and work that goes into making games and the dedication of gaming fans. They are so unique because as IPs they have so many more emotional touchpoints for fans than your average film or TV characters. Getting to be part of enhancing those emotional touchpoints and increasing connection for fans is one of the best parts of my job.
What’s your favourite bit about your job?
The people I work with, there is something uniquely special about getting to work with such creative and passionate people every day that are continuously pushing the boundaries of what we can achieve creatively!
What’s your favourite project you’ve worked on?
That is super hard but if I had to pick one it would be Horizon Zero Dawn. Seeing the process of a single player PlayStation game being translated to a multiplayer game for tabletop and subsequently being enjoyed by the makers of the games themselves at the Guerrilla Games HQ was a good day at the office! The miniatures as well are out of this world, working with our factory to get the detailing on those spot on and pushing the boundaries of what we could achieve with PVC was a challenge but so rewarding.
3D Artist - Holly Woolford
Can you tell me a bit about your experience?
My role here at SFG is as a 3D artist/designer. I get involved in a lot of the cool art and design elements of making our games. My primary job is to design/sculpt the miniatures for our games. Collaborating with other teams and external artists to get things looking great! I sometimes get to dabble with producing 2D illustrations as well for our RPG books.
How did you get into tabletop gaming?
My introduction to tabletop games was actually through painting Warhammer, I painted the models a lot as a child but never got to play a game. Then later at university I spent some time getting involved in RPG’s as well as table top gaming as a way to socialise and get to know people!
What’s your favourite bit about your job?
Oooo, my favourite part of the job is for sure getting to design cool characters for players to use! I enjoy thinking a lot about a character's journey, who they are and how they’ve got there as well as being able to add some of my own creative flair.
What’s your favourite project you’ve worked on?
Ahhh it’s so hard to pick! I think it’s between two! I loved getting to work on Elden Ring because I’m such a huge fan of the From Software games, as well as the artstyle being so beautiful. My other top contender is Epic Encounters! Designing and sculpting a warband as a collaborative team is so fun and getting to bounce ideas off each other is a great way to get a cohesive look going. I mean also getting to sculpt a big monster? Heck yes!
Sales Support Specialist - Jo Turner
Can you tell me a bit about your experience?
I'm a Sales Support Specialist at Steamforged Games. I work in the Commercial Department specifically with our retail partners, providing admin support and also sales.
How did you get into tabletop gaming?
I knew nothing of tabletop Gaming until I joined Steamforged in 2021. So I guess it would have to have been then.
What’s your favourite bit about your job?
I enjoy building relationships with customers but I’m also a bit of an excel geek so I do enjoy a good spreadsheet.
What’s your favourite project you’ve worked on?
Not so much a project but love organising and attending our events/shows. If we were talking about our favourite games, I would have to say Godtear.
Graphic Designer - Kelly Vizma
Can you tell me a bit about your experience?
I’m one of the Graphic Designers here at SFG. I started with the company in May 2022 and absolutely love my role. The job itself can be quite varied, from working on concepts for games right down to rolling out final components for production. I’ve also been involved in the digital side including kickstarter design work in social media. My background is both print and digital design.
How did you get into tabletop gaming?
This was something I had wanted to get into for a while. A few years ago I discovered the wider world of tabletop games and bought the Arkham Horror card game. Unfortunately I couldn’t find people with a similar interest so not a lot happened. Then I found SFG and I could finally ignite that part of myself. I now have a modest collection as well as some RPG books.
What’s your favourite bit about your job?
Being able to be myself! I’ve worked for a lot of different companies over the years and most of them have been large corporate businesses. Whilst I’m very grateful for the experience I gained as well as the friends I made, I never fully let myself be me. This is the first place I’ve worked where we all have a common interest, we all get very excited about that and bounce off each other's energy.
What’s your favourite project you’ve worked on?
There’s actually 2 but at the time of writing I can only talk about one. So with that in mind I would have to say Elden Ring. It’s such a big project and the team really came together to get it ready for the Kickstarter launch. It’s one of the most creative projects I’ve worked on for a while and I’m grateful to be a part of it.
RPG Editor - Ginny Loveday
Can you tell me a bit about your experience?
I am the Lead Editor for Steamforged's tabletop RPG product lines. This means I get to help bring to life content from Epic Encounters, Animal Adventures, Dark Souls, Local Legends, Adventures & Academia: First Class...and potentially other cool things on the horizon!
How did you get into tabletop gaming?
I grew up playing board games at home with my family, with Risk being my Dad's favorite game (not a terrible entry point for strategy games, as far as traditional mass market games went in the 90s!)
What’s your favourite bit about your job?
I absolutely adore the people I work with, and the joy that comes from getting to see countless players enjoying the products we worked on.
What’s your favourite project you’ve worked on?
Oooh, that's a toss-up between my design work that I did on Animal Adventures: The Faraway Sea as a freelancer and the amazingly cool stuff I've helped edit for the upcoming Dark Souls: Tome of Strange Beasts.
Project Manager - Nico Lu
Can you tell me a bit about your experience?
I work in the production team to manage quality control and cooperate with manufacturers to facilitate communication and production.
How did you get into tabletop gaming?
I've been a fan of board games since university, so I looked for a job in game factories in China as an internship. I like graphic design but I started from a dice factory, those dice look like candies.
What’s your favourite bit about your job?
I really enjoy working between designers and manufacturers. I'm a freelance artist after work. I like to help other artists to solve problems in production and make their design work in our game. They have lots of amazing and talented ideas, as a game at the same time I can imagine how excited other gamers will be when they have a chance to see.
What’s your favourite project you’ve worked on?
I’m struggling to choose only one from them haha. I like to work on Epic Encounters, our design team does a very great job and the communication with the manufacturing side is effective. We met a technology barrier of massive size figures at the beginning but found a solution at the end and I’m proud of the final products we made. But at the same time I love Animal Adventures, I’m an animal lover, I cannot help smiling to those cute creatures! Adorable doggies and kitties, wanna stroke them.
A bit about Women in Games
Women in Games believe that getting more women into games and esports should be framed as a national, international and strategic priority, a business case for stronger teams, better insights, and innovative new products. We believe in more people, more diversity and more perspectives. You read more about their mission here.
I hope that’s given you a bit of insight into what the Women of SFG are responsible for! This team wouldn’t be the same without them and the games we know and love wouldn’t cross your tables without their phenomenal contributions!
