Will Lewington

The gaming industry operates a unique and dynamic ecosystem, presenting distinct Trust & Safety challenges and opportunities compared to other platforms. In this panel, we delve into how gaming companies approach user safety, moving beyond reactive measures to build proactive safety ecosystems. Exploring the intricacies of player experiences, discuss how safety is woven into game design for effective interventions, and share insights on fostering thriving communities where fun and safety coexist.

• Exploring the components of safety in gaming, from in-game moderation and community management to platform-level protections and external partnerships.
• Understanding player interactions and behaviours to design safety measures that enhance the overall player experience
• Embedding proactive safety features and intervention mechanisms directly into game design, allowing for early detection and mitigation of harmful behaviours and content.
• Navigating the challenge of enabling creative expression and dynamic social play while implementing robust safeguards against toxicity, harassment, and other forms of abuse unique to gaming.

For companies in the business of selling entertainment and fun, how do crossfunctional teams balance the importance of prioritising online safety while projecting an inclusive and enjoyable experience? This session will show how the company behind PlayStation has approached this challenge.

• Making Safety by Design essential, and the value of business-to-product roadmap alignment
• Opportunities for innovation by embedding safety concepts early in design process
• Key role of communications and transparency
• Value of jointly balancing ethics, compliance and business benefit