Women behind Minecraft are building a better world through the power of play, block by block

“I would say reach out to someone in the industry, so whether it’s an alumnus from your school or someone you’ve seen on a panel, just start a conversation, start building your network,” Duan says. “We all started somewhere. You can find so many people who are willing to share their story and support your journey in this industry.” 

“Being part of studios that get the game into players’ hands very quickly, means you can feel that impact, what resonates and what doesn’t,” Chenn says. If I had Minecraft once I was 5 on my Game Boy, I do know I might be a creator at this time.” 

Walters, who got here into Mojang after 13 years with Lucasfilm, urges early profession girls to “stick with it” in the aggressive and demanding gaming and leisure industries. 

“You will definitely encounter obstacles and setbacks. If it’s something you’re passionate about, don’t ever give up, right? Find ways to overcome. Pivot when you need to, find ways to achieve your goals. That may mean learning new skills, seeking new opportunities or networking with others,” she says. “Be confident that we can do it, but also be collaborative, supportive, curious and adventurous. Be resilient and persistent.”  

Building a better world 

“One of the core reasons I joined the company is because of our purpose, which is building a better world through the power of play,” says Duan, who introduced expertise from working at LucasArts and Leapfrog on game-based studying to Minecraft Education.  

Her group is answerable for getting Minecraft video games to gamers on an array of platforms throughout console, PC and cell. 

“When I joined Mojang three years ago, it felt like a homecoming to be able work on an IP [intellectual property] that is as universal as Minecraft and to understand the impact that we could have on the world.” 

For Walters, who leads efforts to ship new experiences and develop outdoors of the core Minecraft recreation, which means extending the recreation’s ethos into leisure. She’s only in the near past gone to work on a Minecraft movie in progress. 

Minecraft’s shopper merchandise enterprise alone has doubled in income over the previous two years.