Maezza Romero gaming career began in childhood and has since evolved into a full-fledged career. From impoving her reading skills through video games, to creating inclusive online spaces, to championing representation in an industry that hasn’t always welcomed underrepresented voices, maezza proves that diverse voices are always needed. Through projects like Cyber Squad, managing communities at scale, and advocating for diversity, equity, and inclusion in gaming, Maezza demonstrates how personal experience and professional drive can combine to create a more inclusive industry that is more welcoming to all.

1. Let’s begin at the beginning, what led you to a career in the gaming industry?

Well, my journey into gaming started when I was a kid, which isn’t too surprising since both my parents work in the industry. Growing up, my mother was always introducing me to different consoles. My first one was the LeapFrog. One of my earliest memories is playing games like Animal Crossing, but once I got old enough, my mom stopped reading the subtitles for me. Because of that, I taught myself to read just so I could keep playing. I could barely read anything even after I taught myself, but just enough that I could enjoy it. Safe to say after that, I became an avid reader, mostly in games. As a result, I’ve always seen games as more than just entertainment. They’re an art form, a passion, and a core part of my life.

Later in my teens, my father John, and I would stay up late playing Minecraft until the early hours. As I moved into the industry myself, that love for late-night gaming and the thrill of exploration never left me. I still love open-world games, especially Cyberpunk 2077 and Skyrim, which will always be a favourite. I’m also a huge fan of horror games, particularly the Silent Hill franchise, which I have two tattoos for. So, without a doubt, gaming is a big part of my life, both in my work and in how I spend my time.

2. In an industry dominated by men, how have you navigated the industry to be successful now?

I think in any field, there are always going to be things that try to hold you back. Growing up, a little boy once told me, “girls don’t play games,” and without missing a beat I shot back, “my mom makes games.” It’s a small exchange, but it stuck with me. It taught me early on that people will try to box you in, and it’s okay to push back.

The tech and games industry has seen a huge rise in women getting involved over the years, and I think so much of that comes down to representation. At the very start of my career, I was lucky enough to have my mom working in games. She embodied everything I wanted to be, and everything I admired about the field. In that way, I’ve always navigated the industry’s representation issues by finding my own inspirations. I look to women who take up space, especially those who are like me, Black or mixed race, and remind myself that I can be here. I should take up space.

But I don’t credit my success to that alone. I think there’s real value in being part of an underrepresented group, especially in game development. On my last project, I was able to consult on Black representation in games, and specifically on how Black women are portrayed. There’s so much we can learn from each other. By drawing inspiration from others and using my lived experiences to help shape a game’s direction, I’m not just building my own career, I’m also adding something meaningful to the teams I work with. At the end of the day, navigating a male-dominated industry isn’t just about fitting in; it’s about showing up as yourself, taking up space, and making that space better for whoever comes next.

3. Cyber Squad, your project with the Girl Scouts and Hewlett Packard, aimed to get girls excited about STEM and cyber safety. What did you learn from that experience about designing games that genuinely empower young women?

I had such a great time working on that game, so I’m glad you asked about it! I was 17 when I wrote Cyber Squad, and at the time, I remember feeling that so many educational games aimed at young people, especially girls, were… well, boring. They didn’t feel relatable. They often lacked the energy, humour, and authenticity of what it’s actually like to be a teenager.

Because I was living that experience in real time, I could draw directly from my own life. I thought about what mattered to me and my friends, what made us feel seen, and what gave us confidence. I made sure the friend group in Cyber Squad was diverse, not just in appearance, but in personality and background, because that’s what my real-life friend group looked like. I asked myself questions like: “How would I want to be represented?” and “How might my friends want to be represented?”

The result was a game that felt authentic to the people it was designed for. And it worked. Young girls really connected with the characters and saw themselves in the story. That was huge for me. It taught me that representation isn’t just a box to tick; it’s about building something that reflects the truth of your audience’s world in a way that makes them feel valued.

I’ve carried those lessons into everything I’ve done since, whether it’s game development, community work, or consulting on representation. I still think about 17-year-old me and how much of a difference her perspective made. It’s a reminder that everyone, no matter their age, background, or role, has a unique story and lived experience worth bringing to the table.

4. Are you involved in any other projects or initiatives in the area of DEI that we should be aware of?

Apart from my work in community, not really. Everything I believe in tends to find its way into the spaces I build. Especially with the way the world is right now, I think it’s more important than ever to create places where people, especially those who don’t often feel safe in games, can feel welcome and protected.

For me, community spaces aren’t just about chatting or sharing content; they’re about fostering trust, belonging, and mutual respect. It’s about making sure people feel like they can show up as themselves without fear of being dismissed, attacked, or overlooked.

One of the most rewarding things I’ve ever experienced is hearing someone say they felt comfortable in a space I helped create. That kind of feedback stays with you, it means the work mattered to someone.

5. You managed the Romero Games Discord server, now with over 7,000 members. What specific steps have you taken to ensure it’s a welcoming and safe space for women and underrepresented groups?

I think our community is a great example of how powerful positive leadership can be.

Turning a space into one that’s welcoming, especially for women and underrepresented groups, doesn’t happen by accident. When I first took over the Romero Games Discord, it was a dormant, leaderless space that had attracted a small, insular community that wasn’t particularly welcoming to outsiders. So I decided to reboot it from the ground up.

The first step was setting clear expectations, not just in the rules, but in how people interact. We rewrote our guidelines to be clear about zero tolerance for harassment, bigotry, or exclusion, and we made sure those rules were visible and easy to understand. But rules alone aren’t enough, you have to actively shift the tone from within.

That meant reinforcing positive behaviour, responding quickly and consistently to any incidents, and creating dedicated spaces where players could connect without fear of hostility. We built channels for casual conversation, sharing hobbies, and community-led activities, giving people more ways to engage outside of just game talk.

Moderation was another huge part of it. I recruited moderators directly from the community, people who were already active, engaged, and aligned with our values. I trusted them to not just enforce the rules, but to lead by example, chatting daily with members and modelling the kind of culture we wanted to see. That ongoing visibility from the mod team is key to making newcomers feel safe and included.

We’ve also made transparency a priority. Whenever changes are made, whether it’s updating the rules, adding channels, or adjusting how moderation works, we explain why, and we keep the door open for feedback. Our rules have been edited more than a dozen times now, evolving alongside the community’s needs.

All of these steps, clear expectations, proactive moderation, visible leadership, transparency, and spaces for genuine connection, have helped create a server where women and underrepresented groups feel safe, respected, and welcome. And for me, one of the most rewarding things is hearing from members who say they feel comfortable being themselves in our space. That’s the kind of feedback that tells me we’re doing it right.

6. You have gone to many events around the world in your capacity as a community developer. What have been some of the highlights of these events and are there any coming up that you are particularly looking forward to?

Indeed, I have! Travelling for my job is genuinely one of my favourite parts of being a community developer. Every event is different, every conversation, every person, and you never quite know what’s going to stick with you.

One of my most memorable experiences was at WeAreDevelopers in Berlin. John Romero met a woman in the signing line who had hearing difficulties. She looked a little nervous, especially because the line had been moving quickly. Both John and I slowed things down, asked how she’d prefer to communicate, and learned that notes on her phone worked best. He ended up signing dozens of her items, and they had a full conversation back and forth through her phone. It turned out she had bought her conference ticket solely to meet him. By the end, she was in tears, happy ones, and it was such a beautiful, human moment.

Another highlight is more general, but equally meaningful, meeting people who share how grateful they are for our vocal support of underrepresented groups. We have a huge queer following, and I’ve lost count of how many people have told me that our Discord or our social media channels feel like safe spaces for them. That they feel represented, welcome, and able to be themselves without fear. Hearing those stories and seeing that joy in person is one of the best parts of my job.

It’s moments like those, whether it’s an unexpected connection in a signing line or someone telling me our work has made them feel safe, that stay with me long after the event is over. They’re a reminder that community development isn’t just about numbers or engagement metrics; it’s about creating spaces where people feel seen.

7. What’s one initiative or change you’d love to see adopted industry-wide to better support women’s advancement in gaming, both as players and Professionals?

I recently went to an event in Galway called Ardán, which hosts gamemaker meetups, mentorship programmes, and more. While I was there, they held an incredible roundtable for developers from underrepresented groups. It was a space designed specifically for safety, and everyone seemed to really value being able to connect with one another openly.

During that discussion, a few people mentioned they were looking for mentorship opportunities, and it really stuck with me. I’d love to see more paid mentorship programmes across the industry that give women and gender-diverse people genuine, hands-on experience.

I also think we need to start earlier, with more tech education in schools for girls. Before my 5th year class, my school didn’t even have an IT course for girls. But my principal, who was fantastic, started an afterschool HTML and CSS coding class all by himself. That class has since grown into a full course that feeds into the Computer Science Leaving Cert exams.

Initiatives like that matter. We should show young girls from the very start that tech and gaming are for them.

8. What advice would you give to young women or gender-diverse people who

hope to lead, moderate, or design inclusive spaces in gaming themselves?

My biggest advice for young women or gender-diverse people who want to create inclusive spaces in gaming is to start early, lead by example, and don’t be afraid to reach out for help.

When you’re building a space where people feel safe and represented, the earlier you start, the more time you have to shape its culture. Even if your community is just a handful of people, the tone you set from day one will carry forward. Make your values clear, model the behaviour you want to see, and build in safety from the start, whether that’s clear rules, trusted moderators, or simply making time to check in with people personally.

I know it can feel intimidating to reach out to others for advice, but honestly, some of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned have come from talking to other community developers. My perspective is only as wide as the experiences I’ve been exposed to, so I’ve made a point of asking others how they’ve navigated challenges, what’s worked for them, and how they keep their spaces welcoming.

And finally, don’t give up. There’s a lot of pressure to keep numbers growing or engagement constantly high, but inclusivity isn’t measured in spikes of activity, it’s in whether people feel safe, respected, and valued when they show up. You can’t compare yourself to giant studios with massive releases if you’re still in early development. Focus on the people you have now. Those relationships are what turn a “space” into a community.

At the end of the day, anyone can create a space, but creating one where people truly belong takes patience, intention, and the willingness to grow alongside your members.

9. Have you been nominated or won any awards recently?

Most recently I was shortlisted for the Diversity in Business awards’ ‘Rising Star’ category. It was such a huge honour, and despite not winning it really made me feel like my contributions during my career were recognised. My work has also been celebrated in ways that matter to me, like being invited to speak at WeareDevelopers or having community members tell me our space made them feel safe.

10. Are there any other people, companies or programmes that you are big fans of in the DEI space?

I’m a huge fan of Code Coven. The work they do to give underrepresented devs the skills and confidence to step into the industry is incredible. Same goes for Black Girls Code and Ardan. Both provide such incredible opportunities for developers.