In a recent interview with Inverse, Sarah Bond, Xbox's head of creator experience and ecosystem, fondly recalls her appearance at the 2019 E3 event as the most significant moment during her time at Microsoft. Bond reflects on the backstage interactions, advice about trolls, and the emotional experience of shedding tears as she left the stage.
Bond explained, "Although I wouldn't claim it was my best performance in terms of showcasing, it held the most importance for me." She shared that Xbox had encouraged her to take this step, but also warned her about potential challenges she might face. Bond dedicated days to rehearsals before the live show and was deeply moved when someone who had been involved in the event for two decades told her, "We never thought we would see this. We're so proud of you."
The lack of diversity in the games industry, particularly in terms of representation on stage during major presentations and events, has long been a challenge. Bond recounts her determination to address this issue by speaking at E3, one of the industry's biggest annual events.
Realizing that her own fears and nerves were selfish in comparison to the experiences of those who had been told they weren't good enough or didn't fit the mold, Bond felt compelled to take action. She spoke at E3 with a sense of detachment from her own emotions, shedding tears of relief afterward. The positive response shattered the perception that her presence on stage was a compromise or a subpar choice. Bond's accomplishment has paved the way for other women, eliminating the need for them to face similar doubts and criticisms. Her proudest achievement is having played a role in changing this perception and preventing such comments from being made in the future.
In the interview Bond also touched on other ways she's chasing change in the games industry, including a discussion on the potential for AI to positively affect game development.
