Social Mobility Day takes place every year on 11th June as an opportunity to discuss this often quiet subject, where the circumstances of someone’s birth has gone on to affect their opportunities later in life. It’s also about deepening people’s understanding of social mobility in the UK and to encourage organisations to consider what they can do to improve socioeconomic diversity going forward.

This is our first social Mobility Day where we are an official registered charity focused on social mobility within the game industry.

In 2024, we released the UK’s first social mobility report for the games industry, and we noticed something alarming. Games development has one of the worst records of socioeconomic access of any creative or technical sector. As of the reports release, Games development has one of the worst records of socioeconomic access of any creative or technical sector. You can read the full report, Difficulty Level, here.

“There were very few industry placements I could afford." Minimum wage just doesn't cut it anymore if you haven't got parents who are able to financially back you up.” - Difficulty Level Research Participant, 2024.

Using the data and research from this report, Into Games runs numerous projects and campaigns across the year set to address the working class in games gap. For this Social Mobility Day, we’re launching our newest campaign, “Life on a hard difficulty.”

What does it feel like, to have to work harder for the same opportunities?

It’s turning up to a battle royal with no gun.

It’s playing solo in a co-op game.

It’s “GG” vs. “GG EZ.”

People from under-resourced groups struggle to get into the games industry for a multitude of reasons, and we want to encourage more people to think about social mobility and what they can do to help.

“Without that support there's no way in hell I could access any of those events or opportunities. Not everyone has the funds to travel or buy conference tickets.” - Difficulty Level Research Participant, 2024

In particular, we need your help for this July. Every year, Into Games helps career-ready game developers from low-income backgrounds get themselves to Brighton Develop - one of the most important games networking events of the year.

For 2026, we want to go one further and help ensure they get the most out of their experience by providing accommodation, travel and food for the whole three-day event.  This is one of our most successful interventions and is impossible without support. We’re asking people to share our donation campaign, and donate if they can.

Head to the Into Games Raisely Site to donate and share

Social mobility in games won’t improve on its own, and nobody can do it alone. As we mark Social Mobility Day, we’re asking the industry, our community, and everyone who believes in fair access to the games industry to take action today.

Whether you donate, share our campaign, or simply start a conversation about the barriers working‑class talent continues to face, you’re helping to build an industry where potential isn’t limited by background. Together, we can make sure the next generation of game makers doesn’t have to play life on hard difficulty.