About the Fair Play Collective

Meet the people working to build a better games industry

Our Story


The Fair Play Collective began as a response to watching an industry we love struggle with unsustainable practices. Mass layoffs, endless crunch, and the constant pressure to prioritize profits over people have become the norm rather than the exception.

We believe there's a better way.

Started by people who've worked in and around the games industry, the FPC represents an experiment in community-driven support for independent developers. We're not trying to replace existing systems. We're trying to prove that sustainable, human-centered game development is not only possible, but profitable and fulfilling for everyone involved.

We're still growing, still learning, and still figuring out the best ways to make this vision a reality. But we're committed to transparency, accountability, and putting the wellbeing of creators first.

Meet the Team


Dylan Smith

IT Professional · Game Industry Person · Founder, The Fair Play Collective

Hi, I'm Dylan.

I spent nearly a decade in the game industry, working in IT at one of the biggest game studios in the world. While I wasn't a dev, I worked every day alongside the people who make games possible, solving problems, supporting teams, and helping others thrive.

And then I got laid off.

So many talented people have been let go in the last few years. Studios closed. Projects scrapped. Real. Lives. Uppended. It's disheartening when you love this industry and especially the medium.

But instead of just watching it burn, I'm trying something different.

The Fair Play Collective isn't a company (yet) (but almost!). It's just an idea, a seed, that says maybe there's a better way to support game development: one based on sustainability, transparency, and human-centered values.

If that resonates with you, I'd love to talk.

Dr. Andy Bowman

Doctor on Staff · Director of Business Things

Dr. Andy Bowman is an assistant professor of Management Information Systems at the College of Business in East Carolina University. His lifelong passion for gaming has driven him to use his background and research for the good of art instead of evil.

Rachel Smith

Lawful Good · Pro Bono Legal Counsel

I'm Rachel (she/her), and I'm a transactional corporate attorney for a successful financial services software company. I love to wear too many hats for startup companies and I play a LOT of video games.

My expertise encompasses start-up business operations, robust general corporate compliance, and proactive risk management. I've held diverse, high-level positions, deeply embedding myself in customer success, product design, corporate operations, and various in-house legal services.

Beyond the professional realm, I love games, and I want to help the Fair Play Collective champion them as vital artistic endeavors that bring us all together. I currently lend my legal expertise to the FPC as its Pro Bono Legal Counsel.

Tamara Hughes

Resident Nerd · Community & Communications

I'm Tamara (she/her)! I've been in the games industry for almost eight years, working with small and large indie teams. I decided to volunteer with the Fair Play Collective after watching layoffs happen at my former workplace, and throughout the industry.

I have a background in community management, social media, events, and communications, primarily for virtual reality games. I enjoy indie puzzle games, role-playing games, social VR, and spending time outdoors walking in the mountains.

Our Approach


We're building something different. Not a traditional publisher, not a crowdfunding platform, but a community-driven mutual aid system that puts developers first.

Community-Funded:

Backers contribute monthly to a shared pool that supports multiple studios, spreading risk and ensuring stable funding.

Developer-Led:

Decisions about which projects to fund are made by developers, for developers. No corporate executives determining artistic merit.

Transparency First:

Where the money goes, how decisions are made, and what's working (or not working) – it's all out in the open.

Sustainability Focused:

We're not chasing unicorns or overnight successes. We're building systems that can support creators for years, not just months.

Get Involved


The Fair Play Collective is still in its early stages, and we're actively looking for people who share our vision of a better games industry.

For Developers:

Whether you're a solo indie or a small studio, we want to hear from you. We're looking for creators who are passionate about their craft and committed to ethical development practices.

For Supporters:

Players, industry professionals, and anyone who believes games are art worth supporting. Your backing – financial and otherwise – makes this possible.

For Industry Experts:

We need advisors, mentors, and people with experience who can help us navigate the complexities of building something new in an established industry.

Ready to be part of something different? Join the conversation and help us shape the future of game development.

Questions? Ideas? Want to get involved? Reach out through our social channels or join our Discord community.