GAME CAREER SEMINAR AT AUSTIN GDC - Friday, September 7, 2007 at the Austin Convention Center. New speakers are added daily - check back soon! Keynote:
Presented by: Andy Schatz Find out more here. Speakers:
Gordon Dutrisac is the Student Services Director at DigiPen Institute of Technology, where he assists students in their journeys to educational success and advises students on their educational goals, career options, and career preparedness. Prior to joining DigiPen Institute of Technology, Gordon previously worked at Arizona State University and the Patricia Bojorquez, Activision Bio Coming Soon!
Mike Goslin is vice president of the Virtual Reality (VR) studio at the Walt Disney Internet Group (WDIG). He is primarily focused on the development of Disney's Toontown Online, a massively multiplayer online game (MMO) for kids and families and Pirates of the Caribbean Online, a MMO created for fans of the popular film franchise. Goslin joined the VR Studio in 1996, when it was part of Walt Disney Imagineering, to work on virtual reality attractions for theme parks. Over the next several years, he was technical lead on a series of projects that were developed for DisneyQuest; a chain of "super arcades" featuring Virtual Reality rides and games such as "Alladin's Magic Carpet VR Adventure" and "Hercules in the Underworld" which opened in 1998, and "Pirates of the Caribbean: Battle for Buccaneer Gold" which won the award for Outstanding Attraction from the Themed Entertainment Association in 2001. Before joining Disney, Goslin was a researcher for The Institute for Simulation and Training in Orlando, Florida where he worked with psychologists from the U.S. Army to evaluate Virtual Reality as a means for training soldiers to perform dangerous tasks. During that time, he collaborated with Jacki Morie on "Virtopia", one of the first examples of Virtual Reality as artwork, which premiered at the Florida Film Festival in 1993. Goslin holds a bachelor of science degree from Duke University and a master of science degree in computer science from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where under the guidance of the legendary Dr. Fred Brooks, he led a research team whose goal was to push the limits of what was possible in creating immersive virtual worlds.
Casey Jones is a Senior Instructor in the Computer Science Technology Department at Texas State Technical College Waco, where he currently teaches in the Graphics, Gaming, and Simulation Design Degree program. Within the degree program itself, he is responsible for classes dealing with game theory, animation and scripting. Prior to coming to TSTC Waco, Casey worked with both the educational and business sectors developing projects that include online learning materials, training and simulation CD-ROMS, advergaming and web portals.
Darius runs Orbus Gameworks, a startup that's building gameplay data metrics tools to help developers keep track of what their players are doing in-game. Before Orbus, Darius did gameplay metrics at Turbine Inc for MMORPGs including Dungeons & Dragons Online and Lord of the Rings Online. He is also a technology officer for the IGDA Education SIG, a committee member for the Boston Postmortem, and spends a good deal of his free time giving advice on how to break into the game industry.
Bob McGoldrick, Coordinator for Technical Certification Programs, Austin Community College Bob McGoldrick is the Coordinator for Technical Certification Programs at Austin Community College Continuing Education department. In addition to running technical certification courses for workforce development, Bob runs the ACC Video Game Development program. The Video Game Development program is designed and developed by leaders in the Austin video game development industry, under the direction of the ACC Video Game Advisory Board. Courses are taught by industry video game developers for video game developers. The program offers a comprehensive approach learning what's needed to be successful in video Game development. The program is certificate based, with specializations in programming, art, design and production. After completing the required coursework, students participate in a multi-person Capstone project developing a mod, demo or tape suitable 
Michael Nichols - Senior Recruiter, THQ, Inc Michael Nichols is a Senior Recruiter with THQ, Inc. A recruitment industry veteran with over 17 years of direct staffing experience, his expertise is in providing strategic recruitment services specifically tailored to the unique needs of game development publishers and studios. Michael’s focus is on partnering with company leaders to hit their hiring milestones by aligning the team, the culture and the candidate experience so that the organization succeeds in identifying, attracting and retaining the best possible talent. Prior to working with THQ, Michael served in recruitment leadership positions with Electronic Arts and Activision as well as several
Jeannie Novak is the founder of Indiespace--one of the first companies to promote and distribute interactive entertainment online, where she consults with creative professionals in the music, film and television industries to help them migrate to the game industry. In addition to being series editor and lead author of the Game Development Essentials series, Jeannie is the co-author of three pioneering books on the interactive entertainment industry--including Creating Internet Entertainment. Jeannie is Online Academic Department Director of the Game Art & Design and Media Arts & Animation departments at the Art Institute Online. She has consulted for UC Berkeley's Center for New Media and UCLA Extension's Entertainment Studies department. She has also taught game development courses and has been a curriculum advisor at UCLA Extension, Art Center College of Design, Academy of Entertainment and Technology at Santa Monica College, DeVry University, ITT Technical Institute and Westwood College. Jeannie has developed or participated in game workshops and panels at Macworld, Digital Hollywood, and iHollywood Forum. She is a member of the International Game Developers Association (IGDA) and has served on selection committees for the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences (AIAS) and the ALT+CTRL Festival of Independent & Alternative Games. Jeannie was chosen as one of the 100 most influential people in high-technology by MicroTimes magazine -- and she has been profiled by CNN, Billboard Magazine, Sundance Channel, Daily Variety, and the Los Angeles Times. She received an M.A. in Communication Management from the University of Southern California (USC), where she focused on games in online distance learning. She received a B.A. in Mass Communication from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)-- graduating summa cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa. When she isn't writing and teaching, Jeannie spends most of her time recording, performing and composing music.
Steve Parkis is the vice president of premium content for Disney Online (www.disney.com), the division of the Walt Disney Internet Group (WDIG) that produces the number one kids' entertainment and family community destination on the Web. He oversees the product development, operations and marketing of Disney-branded Internet content sold both directly to consumers online and via distribution agreements with narrowband and broadband ISPs. Products in the group's portfolio include Disney XD, an enhanced broadband entertainment experience that is part of the new Disney.com site; the award-winning Playhouse Disney Preschool Time Online; the acclaimed Disney's Toontown Online ¾ a massively multiplayer online game (MMOG); Disney Connection ¾ a broadband-only kids’ channel for high-speed ISPs; and the upcoming Pirates of the Caribbean Online MMOG. Previously, Parkis served in finance and corporate development at WDIG overseeing, among other things, the strategy for the delivery of the GO Network's rich media content and development of its entertainment-focused vertical content areas. Most recently, Parkis was responsible for leading the financial planning team of WDIG during the division's drive to profitability. Parkis first joined The Walt Disney Company in 1998 as a senior analyst in the business planning and development function at Walt Disney World. Parkis holds a master's of business administration degree from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University, and a bachelor's degree in financial administration from Michigan State University. He resides in Valencia, California with his wife and three sons.
Sheri Graner Ray has been in the game industry since 1989. She has worked for such companies as Electronic Arts, Origin Systems, Sony Online Entertainment and Cartoon Network, and has worked on such licenses as Star Wars Galaxies, Ultima, and Nancy Drew. She is author of the book, "Gender Inclusive Game Design-Expanding the Market" and is the game industry's leading expert on gender and computer games. In While she has worked as everything from a writer/designer to head of her own studio, her first love is game design and she describes herself as a "hard-core gamer." She currently lives in Austin, Texas with her husband, Tim, their four dogs and two cats.
Dylan Romero is a marketer, writer, and game designer (when they let me) at GarageGames, where he is currently working on multiple unannounced projects and promoting GarageGames' various web properties. In early 2007, he wrote and designed The Pirate Tales for Twintale Entertainment. Previously, Dylan cofounded Elandia Branding, where he designed websites and created copy for small businesses. Dylan has also written articles, short stories, and poetry for various publications. He received his BA in English and creative writing from Seattle Pacific University. Robin Chenoweth McShaffry, Founder and Vice President, Operations, Mary-Margaret Bio coming soon!
Kain Shin entered the gaming industry in 2000 as a programmer on the Microsoft/Bicycle Casino (PC) line of products developed by Compulsive Development and Glass Eye Entertainment. He then went on to join the team at Ion Storm to work on Deus Ex: Invisible War (PC/Xbox) and Thief: Deadly Shadows (PC/Xbox). He spent a short time at TKO Software Stacey Simmons, Director, Baton Rouge Area Digital Industries Consortium, Louisiana State University Bio coming soon!
Jackie Shuler is Sr. Manager, University Relations for Electronic Arts (EA), the world's largest interactive software company based in Redwood City, CA. She manages a global team that is responsible for developing and executing strategies at academic institutions to position the EA brand on campus while attracting new college grad and intern talent into the organization. Prior to her role at EA, Shuler was a Sr. Technical Recruiter for Spherion Technology where she identified talent for Fortune 500 clients within the technical and financial services arena. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Communication from Florida State University and is also certified as a Professional in Human Resources from the Society of Human Resource Management.
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Scroll down to read more about each advisory board member.
Drew Davidson is a professor, producer and player of interactive media. His background spans academic, industry and professional worlds and he is interested in stories across texts, comics, games and other media. Drew completed his Ph.D. in Communication Studies at the University of Texas at Austin. Prior to that, he received a B.A. and M.A. in Communications Studies at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He chaired Game Art & Design and Interactive Media Design at the Art Institute of Pittsburgh and the Art Institute Online and has taught and researched at several universities. He consults for a variety of companies, institutions and organizations and was a Senior Project Manager in the New Media Division of Holt, Rinehart and Winston. He was also a Project Manager in Learning Services at Sapient, and before that he produced interactive media at HumanCode. Drew is chairing the Sandbox Symposium, an ACM SIGGRAPH conference on video games and serves on the IGDA Education SIG, the ACTlab Steering Committee, and many review boards and jury panels. He founded the Applied Media & Simulation Games Center at Indiana University of Pennsylvania. He is Editor of the nascent ETC Press and has written a forthcoming book on narratives across media and is writing another on cross-media communication.
Robin Hunicke is a Game Designer at EA’s Sims Division. She is an active member of the International Game Developers Association, and co-organizes the MDA Game Design tutorials and Experimental Gameplay Sessions at GDC. In her copious spare time, she is finishing a PhD in Artificial Intelligence at Northwestern University. Through public speaking, industry and academic work, Robin seeks to promote student, female, independent and international developers, and to facilitate
Coray Seifert is an associate producer and cinematic director at THQ’s Kaos Studios, working on his 24th title, Frontlines: Fuel of War. A coordinator of the International Game Developers Association’s New Jersey chapter since 2002, he also co-founded the IGDA Game Writers Special Interest Group Quarterly Report and continues to work with the SIG as a committee member and contributing author for their Game Writing book series. Coray has developed games as a writer, designer, and producer for companies like Large Animal Games, Creo Ludus Entertainment, and the US Department of Defense, and has appeared on Gamasutra.com, Forbes.com, NY1, in Game Developer Magazine, and at numerous game industry events as an editor, panelist, lecturer, or host. An advocate for the aspiring game developer, Coray also teaches game design as a visiting lecturer at Bloomfield College, the New Jersey Institute of Technology and many other universities. While not distributing gratuitous high-fives and D&D jokes, Coray lives in Hoboken, NJ with his amazing fiance Katie and their two highly eccentric cats.
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Mike Goslin - Vice President, Virtual Reality Studio, Walt Disney Internet Group
Sheri Graner Ray, President, Sirenia Consulting
Drew Davidson
Robin Hunicke - Game Designer, EA – Sims Division