The gaming industry is a vast, ever-evolving universe, where innovation, technology, and player expectations are shifting at warp speed. To stay ahead, you need more than just technical skills, you need resilience, adaptability, and a deep understanding of what makes games truly exceptional.

Our content bundle contains the interviews from Marina Ilari (CEO, Terra Localizations), Damien Peter (QA Manager, Trailmix Games), Estelle Bailly (Career Coach, Games Localization Expert, Coaching With Estelle), and Kaley Hurst (Chief Revenue Officer, Side Inc), sharing game-changing insights to empower you to navigate challenges, innovate, and excel in the gaming industry.

Get ready to level up!🚀🎮

In today’s fast-paced, hyper-connected gaming landscape, two forces are shaping the future of player experiences: community safety and quality assurance innovation. This comprehensive report brings together insights from industry leaders who are redefining what it means to create safe, engaging, and high-quality gaming environments.

Enter QA experts, Romain Gauthier (Senior Test Automation Engineer, King) and Charlotte Sibley (Senior Live QA Lead, Creative Assembly), who reveal how lean QA teams are rising to the challenge of live-service demands and tighter production cycles. Meanwhile, Carlos Moreno, Strategy & Operations Associate Director at King (Activision Blizzard King), explores the critical role of community safety in fostering trust, creativity, and inclusivity.

Together, these expert insights provide a strategic foundation for studios navigating the complexities of today’s gaming landscape. Whether focused on community engagement or QA innovation, this report serves as a vital resource for building safer, more efficient, and future-ready gaming environments.

In today’s always-on, hyper-connected world of online gaming, community safety isn’t optional; it’s essential. At the heart of thriving player ecosystems lies a simple but powerful truth: safe spaces spark engagement, creativity, and trust. In this dynamic safety manual, Carlos Moreno, Strategy & Operations Associate Director, King (Activision Blizzard King), unpacks the real-world challenges and game-changing strategies that define community safety today.

From zero-tolerance toxicity policies to cross-cultural moderation challenges, Carlos shares hard-earned wisdom on what it takes to lead strong, healthy, and inclusive communities in gaming. This isn’t just about banning bad behaviour, it’s a practical guide to reshaping digital culture, empowering moderation teams, and building trust from the ground up. Whether you're on the front lines of community management or shaping studio-wide policy, this manual is your essential companion for creating safer, healthier online spaces.

As the gaming industry continues to evolve, QA professionals are no longer just gatekeepers of quality, they are critical navigators guiding studios with leaner teams, tighter timelines, and the rise of live-service demands. The pressure is real – but so is the potential.

In this new frontier, the most successful QA teams aren't just surviving; they're innovating, automating, and unlocking smarter ways to work. At the heart of this evolution are two trailblazers who are turning limited resources into limitless opportunity – Romain Gauthier, Senior Test Automation Engineer at King, and Charlotte Sibley, Senior Live QA Lead at Creative Assembly, who have spent years charting new territory in game QA. From building frameworks, growing careers, and transforming how studios approach quality, their insights offer a rare look into how lean teams can deliver stellar impact.

Download this case study to learn more about:

• Harness Test Automation as Your Trusted Copilot: Explore proven frameworks and strategies that enhance quality without overburdening your teams.
• Maximise Your Team’s Impact with Smart Resource Management: Learn how to integrate automation in ways that empower, not replace, your QA talent.
• Chart a Course for Long-Term Success in QA: Gain exclusive insights into building dynamic careers and leadership pathways in today’s evolving QA landscape.
  

The gaming galaxy is vast, wild, and ever-changing. To survive the mission, and thrive, you’ll need more than sharp reflexes. You need vision, adaptability, and a crew you can count on.

In this instalment of the GQF 2025 Survival Guide, Tamara Tirjak, Senior Localisation Manager at Frontier Developments, charts a course through the high-pressure, high-reward world of game quality and localization. Drawing from decades of experience, Tamara shares battle-tested wisdom on navigating creative chaos, building inclusive experiences, and staying resilient in deep space.

Download this piece to learn more about:

⚡ Agility in Action: Why adaptability is your greatest weapon in an industry where innovation never sleeps.

🧠 Mental Health Matters: Tamara's strategies for avoiding burnout and staying grounded, because nobody should suffer in silence.

🫱🏽‍🫲🏾 The Power of the Crew: How strong mentorship and safe spaces can make all the difference when navigating the cosmic challenges of game dev.

🌍 Creating Universes for Everyone: Practical ways studios can build more inclusive games - starting with who’s in the room, and who’s playing the game.

🎮 Tools of the Trade: From universal translators to time-bending sidekicks, explore the creative metaphors that define localization excellence.

Whether you're just boarding the ship or you’ve been charting stars for years, this your essential guide for the journey ahead. 

In an industry that moves at lightning speed, Safe In Our World is the mental health charity fighting to ensure that no one is left behind. This special edition of the Survival Guide series is more than a collection of advice - it’s a mental health toolkit built for the realities of working in games.

Created by a charity dedicated to promoting global mental wellbeing in the industry, this guide combines lived experience with expert insight to shed light on the conversations that matter most. Whether you’re facing burnout, battling imposter syndrome, or simply navigating the pressures of an always-online world, this guide is a reminder: you are not alone.

Download now to learn more about:

🧠 Mental Health is Game Quality: Wellness isn’t a luxury - it’s the foundation of creative, sustainable work in games.

🎤 The Power of Self-Advocacy: Learn how to speak up, set healthy boundaries, and champion better practices for yourself and your team.

🌈 Representation That Resonates: Why games are stronger when built on lived experience, and how to embed true inclusivity into every narrative.

💪 The Ultimate Co-op Mode: Tips for sharing knowledge, preventing burnout, and creating support systems that actually work.

Created by the team at Safe In Our World, this guide is your ally in building a games industry where mental health is understood, supported, and prioritised. Thriving shouldn’t be the exception, it should be the norm.

Download this Survival Guide now and take your first step toward a safer, more sustainable future in games. 💙🕹️

Learn more about Safe In Our World here - www.safeinourworld.org

The gaming industry is a high-speed adventure, where technology, creativity, and player expectations evolve faster than ever. To thrive, you need more than just technical know-how, you need adaptability, collaboration, and a deep understanding of what makes games unforgettable.

In the fifth instalment of our Survival Guide series, Julia Figueroa, Localization Director at Sound in Words, shares expert insights on navigating game quality, localization, and the future of player experience.

Download this guide to discover:

✨ Mastering Adaptability: Why flexibility is the key to success in an ever-changing industry.

🤝 The Power of Teamwork: How strong collaboration fuels innovation and better games.

⚡ Staying Resilient Under Pressure: Strategies to prevent burnout and maintain creativity.

🌍 Building Inclusive, Accessible Worlds: Why representation and accessibility should be at the heart of game design.

💡 Unlocking Career Growth: How networking and mentorship open doors to new opportunities.

This is your roadmap to success in game quality and localization. Whether you're a seasoned professional or just starting your journey, these insights will help you level up and make a lasting impact in the gaming universe! 🚀

The gaming industry is a vast, ever-evolving universe, where innovation, technology, and player expectations are shifting at warp speed. To stay ahead, you need more than just technical skills, you need resilience, adaptability, and a deep understanding of what makes games truly exceptional.

In the fourth instalment of our Survival Guide series, Marina Ilari, CEO of Terra Localizations shares her expert insights into navigating the challenges of game quality, localization, and industry success.

Download this piece to learn more about:

✨ The Power of Passion & Perseverance: Why these twin forces are essential for long-term success in gaming.

🌍 How to Build Inclusive Worlds: How diversity in development leads to richer, more immersive experiences.

💡 The Importance of Strategic Networking & Mentorship: Unlocking career opportunities through industry connections.

This is your ultimate roadmap to excelling in game quality and localization. Whether you're a seasoned pro or just launching your career, these insights will equip you with the tools to thrive in this ever-expanding digital galaxy!

As the gaming industry rockets forward with technological advancements, AI breakthroughs, and shifting player expectations, it’s crucial to equip yourself with the tools to thrive.

Kaley Hurst, Chief Revenue Officer at Side Inc., shares their essential survival guide for navigating the challenges of game development. From emotional intelligence and mentorship to mental health and inclusion, this guide will help you conquer the unknown, avoid burnout, and build a future-ready career in gaming.

Download to learn more about how:

🧠 Emotional Intelligence is a Game-Changer: Success in gaming isn’t just about technical skills; it’s about understanding people. Strong emotional intelligence helps you navigate high-pressure situations, build strong relationships, and foster collaboration.

💡 Inclusion Starts with Representation: Creating non-gendered characters and diverse customisation options makes games more inclusive, ensuring all players feel seen and valued.

🌍 Mental Health Must Be a Priority: Avoiding burnout requires intentional self-care. From daily movement to setting boundaries, finding balance is essential for long-term success in gaming.

🚀 Ready to level up your game industry survival skills? Download this guide and equip yourself with the ultimate tools to thrive, because in the ever-expanding universe of gaming, only the best explorers make it to the next level!✨

As the gaming industry hurtles through an ever-expanding galaxy filled with cutting-edge technology, AI advancements, and platform revolutions, it’s more important than ever to equip yourself with the skills, strategies, and insights to thrive in this dynamic world.

In the second instalment of our Advisory Board interview series, Estelle Bailly, Career Coach and Games Localization Expert, shares her invaluable guide to surviving and succeeding in the fast-paced world of game development. From the adaptability needed to keep up with rapid industry changes, to the importance of mental resilience and self-care to avoid burnout, Estelle’s star map will help you steer through the black holes of stress and uncertainty.

Download to learn more about:

🚀 Inclusion Through Customisation: Customisable characters that reflect diverse identities help make games more inclusive and allow players to feel represented.

🧠 Focus on Mental Health: Supporting mental health in the gaming industry, through initiatives like Safe in Our World, helps create a safer, more inclusive community.

🌟 Mentorship is Essential: Finding the right mentors and learning to collaborate with others is important, as no one has all the answers in the fast-paced gaming world.

Get ready to embrace the challenges, prioritise your well-being, and discover the tools and strategies you need to navigate the future of gaming with confidence. Your adventure begins now!

Welcome, cosmic explorers of the gaming universe! The Game Quality Forum 2025 is your command centre for mastering the vast expanse of QA, localization, and player experience. As the gaming industry hurtles through an ever-expanding galaxy of technology, AI advancements, and platform revolutions, it’s time to equip yourself with the ultimate survival guide.

Advisory Board member Damien Peter, QA Manager, Trailmix Games shares his star map for thriving in the deep space of game development. From adaptability to inclusion, from mental resilience to futuristic tools, this guide will help you conquer the black holes of burnout and plot a course toward success.

Download to learn more about:

🚀 How adaptability can make or break your game industry journey: With ever-evolving technology, business models, and player expectations, staying flexible is the key to survival.

🌠 The power of mentorship and collaboration in levelling up your career: No one succeeds alone! Discover how industry relationships can accelerate your growth and open new doors.

🎮 Why inclusion and representation should be at the heart of game development: Authentic, player-first experiences start with diverse teams and thoughtful design choices.

The global gaming landscape is expanding fast, but with every new market comes new cultural challenges. Missteps in localization can derail player trust, spark controversy, and cost millions. Enter Denis Ivanov, Project Manager at Belka Games, who launched a bold internal mission: to embed an AI-powered Culturalization Assistant directly into the team’s Slack workflows. The goal? Deliver real-time, culturally-aware guidance to developers and content teams and transform how localization is done at scale.

This isn’t just automation. It’s a game-changing strategy for making global content that resonates.

Inside the Mission Report:

🧠 Built for cultural insight: An AI assistant trained on 95+ internal articles, delivering instant, reference-backed answers right in Slack

🛠️ Behind the scenes: Real talk on the buildout: tech hurdles, fine-tuning, and how the team kept trust and accuracy front and center

📈 Measured impact: Fewer localization bugs, faster turnaround times, and smarter, more inclusive decision-making across teams

🚀 The future of game localization is already here - download now so you don’t get left behind!