Going against the global trend, the game studio reinforces its commitment to D&I as strategic values for culture and innovation
Recife, July 24, 2025 – At a time when major tech companies are scaling back or discontinuing programs focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion, Kokku announces the opposite move: the official creation of DIGI – its first Diversity & Inclusion Committee in the Games Industry, formed by collaborators elected through direct vote.
The committee is part of the permanent institutional campaign Nenhum Direito a Menos (Not One Right Less), which guides structured diversity actions within the company and establishes an ongoing commitment to representation, active listening, and social responsibility.
“The real way to generate impact in this area is not just to sponsor it, but to drive it. And that has always been Kokku’s approach,” explains Thiago de Freitas, CEO of Kokku. Examples of this include videos and statements that position the company during key months for Diversity & Inclusion, communications that are not just celebratory but political. De Freitas sees the formation of the committee as a reinforcement of these commitments: “We can’t remain isolated in our positions as a company representing our people. The real way to represent them is, in a democratic manner, to give them voice and space so that they can, from their own perspectives, fight and help us show that just because they went through certain experiences, it doesn’t mean future generations need to go through them too.”
The formation of DIGI took place through an internal democratic process: collaborators from different departments volunteered for the election, and all company members were able to vote for their representatives.
The committee is composed of five members, with four fixed seats allocated to representatives of the following groups: Black people, women, LGBTQIAPN+ people, and Indigenous people. The fifth seat was filled by the most voted person among the remaining candidates. The committee will be renewed annually through internal elections.
With more than 120 votes cast, the elected members were Andréia Fernandez from the Engineering department, Dio Franco from Production, and José Duçens, Pedro Santos, and Mac Matrajt from the Creative department. Mac highlights the initiative’s potential: “Progress happens when different people, with unique perspectives, can join the conversation and be part of development decisions,” and celebrates that “hearing diverse voices, in a creative industry, propels it toward a better future.”
Diversity as a strategic value for the business
The creation of DIGI is not only a response to a social demand but a move with direct impact on the company’s culture and performance. Recent studies indicate that organizations with above-average diversity generate 19% more innovation revenue, and that more diverse executive teams may reflect up to 25% higher financial performance.
At Kokku, the plurality of experiences and perspectives is understood as a driver of creativity, critical problem-solving, and the development of smarter and more connected products.
“Diversity and Inclusion are not just nice values on paper, they are powerful tools for real transformation within organizations. When we build an environment where all voices are heard, where decisions are more representative, and where differences are celebrated, innovation thrives, engagement grows, and the work environment improves for everyone,” says Luciana Cianci, Head of HR at Kokku.
Role of the committee
DIGI will work as a permanent instrument of active listening, mediation, and proposition within Kokku. Acting as a bridge between collaborators and leadership, raising relevant issues, proposing solutions, and leading action fronts to ensure that diversity – more than a declared value – is an active practice.
In addition to representing underrepresented groups and expanding active listening practices, DIGI will serve in a consultative role by analyzing internal policies, supporting the development of more diverse narratives in company projects, and promoting educational actions on topics such as accessibility, unconscious bias, and representation. The committee will also work alongside the HR team to strengthen inclusive recruitment practices, improve the retention of diverse talent, and contribute to the structuring of mentorship programs.
Among its strategic goals is to help increase the company’s current diversity rate, through integrated efforts across departments and realistic, impactful transformation targets.
Integration with existing initiatives such as the Embrace the Community program will also be part of DIGI’s scope. The program provides technical training and opportunities to enter the games industry for young people from socially vulnerable backgrounds. The committee will work closely with Embrace, contributing to its inclusive dimension and helping to expand the reach and impact of the project.
Its actions will be transversal, with direct impact on areas such as creative, people management, communication, and community engagement. By ensuring presence and voice for different life experiences within Kokku, DIGI reinforces the company’s commitment to making diversity a real strategic pillar, not just an institutional statement. De Freitas concludes: “This is our official step toward giving even more voice to those who want to speak for themselves. We’re proud to represent them, but we’re even prouder to support them.”
About Kokku: Kokku stands as a premier provider of end-to-end creative development and Co-Development for AAA/AA projects, boasting a strong presence with offices in Europe and LatAm. Renowned for our collaborative approach, we specialize in delivering a diverse array of AAA/AA titles across platforms like Consoles, PC, and Mobile. Our esteemed partners include industry giants such as Activision, Guerrilla Games, Codemasters, Electronic Arts, Paradox, Samsung, Netflix, and many more.
