Leading the Way in Turkey's Games Industry: An Interview with Zeynep

Welcome to our latest interview in our series for "Diversity in Games", where we sit down with women in the games industry to discuss their experiences and insights in the world of gaming. Today, we have the pleasure of speaking with Zeynep, the Business Development Manager at Janus Interactive. With her extensive experience in the industry, particularly in Turkey, she has a wealth of knowledge to share with us on navigating the competitive landscape, building partnerships, and promoting diversity and inclusion. So, without further ado, let's dive into the conversation with Zeynep.

Fida: Hi Zeynep, it's great to have you here for this interview today. To start, can you tell us a bit about yourself and your role in the games industry?

Zeynep: Of course, Fida. I am currently the Business Development Manager at Janus Interactive, where I am responsible for generating new revenue streams for the company. This includes identifying new opportunities, building partnerships with other companies, and networking with industry professionals.

Fida: That sounds like a challenging and exciting role. What led you to take on this position in the games industry?

Zeynep: I have always had a passion for both gaming and business, so when the opportunity to combine the two presented itself, I jumped at it. I also really enjoy the relationship-building aspect of business development and finding mutually beneficial opportunities for all parties involved.

Fida: That's great to hear. In your experience as Head of Business Development at Janus Interactive, what have been some of the biggest challenges you have faced and how have you approached solving them?

Zeynep: One of the biggest challenges I have faced is navigating the competitive nature of the industry. However, I approach this by staying informed about industry trends and developments and always being open to new opportunities. I also believe in building strong relationships and fostering a sense of collaboration within the industry.

Fida: That's a great approach. Can you tell us about any initiatives your company has in place to promote diversity and inclusion in the workplace?

Zeynep: At Janus Interactive, we have a strong focus on diversity and inclusion in our hiring and promotion processes. We also have employee resource groups and regular training and education programs to promote understanding and awareness of different perspectives and backgrounds.

Fida: That's fantastic. How does the diversity and inclusion landscape in the games industry differ in Turkey compared to other countries?

Zeynep: In Turkey, the definitions under non-discrimination legislation are limited as there is no basic and general definition. Although there is no general definition, different grounds or forms of discrimination are defined separately and specifically under relevant laws.

Fida: Lastly, do you have any advice for other women looking to break into the games industry and take on leadership roles?

Zeynep: My piece of advice is that they should be able to think strategically, have the ability to compromise, and the ability to see the forest and the trees at the same time.

Fida: Thank you so much for taking the time to speak with us, Zeynep. It's been an enlightening and inspiring conversation, and we appreciate you sharing your valuable insights and experiences with our audience. Your advice and perspective on the games industry in Turkey is truly valuable, and we hope that it will inspire others to break into the industry and make a positive impact.

As we come to the end of this interview, I would like to remind the Diversity in Games community that we have another exciting interview coming up next. Our next guest will be Megan, the founder of the Esports Trade Association. She will be sharing her experiences and knowledge on the rapidly growing world of esports, and I am looking forward to bringing you that interview soon.