Debut of Women in Games International Conference in Seattle

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, August 9, 2005---Seattle, WA---Women In Games International, a newly-formed organization in the interactive entertainment industry, announced today their debut conference in a series, the Women in Games International Conference-Seattle at Microsoft in Redmond, Washington. Titled "Advancing Your Career in Game Development: The Women's Perspective," the conference is scheduled 1 pm to 6 pm on Saturday, September 10.

The inaugural Women in Games International Conference has been created as a forum to discuss a wide range of issues related to women in games. This free-to-attend seminar will provide useful information for women and men, as well as new and veteran game developers, with topics including how to break in and advance your game industry career, achieving a work/live balance and resolving quality of life issues.

The half-day conference consists of an opening keynote address, four panel discussions with top experts in the field, and a post-conference networking reception. Conference sponsors include Microsoft Game Studios, International Games Developers Association (IGDA), DigiPen, Mary-Margaret.com, WomenGamers.com and BusinessWire. This event is being presented in cooperation with the Women in Games Conference in Dundee, Scotland, currently in progress through August 10.

Sheri Graner Ray, Steering Committee Chair for Women In Games International, offers "This is an exciting time for women in the game industry! And WIGI is an opportunity for women involved in games around the world to work together to move this industry forward!" Sheri is Senior Designer at Sonly Online Entertainment in Austin.

Mary Margaret Walker, CEO of Mary-Margaret.com and a WIGI sponsor, reveals, "The role of women in the industry, as well as women and girls as players, is being discussed at new levels with increasing energy and awareness. Women In Games International is providing a venue for continuing this dialogue on an even more open playing field." Currently attending the Women in Games Conference in Scotland, she adds, "Any event or activity that contributes to exploring these topics is ultimately beneficial to the game industry as a whole."

Ellen Beeman, Program Chair for Women in Games International, states "We have highly-experienced game industry veterans as our speakers for this event, who will bring their unique insight into the challenges that face both women and men in their game industry careers." Ellen is Program Manager for Microsoft Corporation.

Confirmed speakers include Laura Fryer, Executive Producer, Microsoft Game Studios; Sheri Hargus, CTO, Her Interactive; Rick Lambright, Director of Online Technology, Sony Online Entertainment; Shannon Loftis, Group Program Manager, Microsoft Game Studios; Stuart Moulder, Vice President, Wild Tangent; Sandra Rumsey, QA Manager, Mobliss; Samantha Ryan, CEO, Monolith Productions; Jen Sward, Instructor, DigiPen and more.

The Women In Games International Conference -Seattle will be held at Microsoft, Building 122, in the Hyak/Chelan rooms (first floor), located at 15120 NE 40th Street in Redmond, Washington. Attendance is free and space is limited. Attendees can reserve their spot by registering online at www.womeningamesinternational.org.

For more details regarding Women In Games International, contact PR Committee Chair Fiona Cherbak at fcherbak@womeningamesinternational.org, visit their web site at www.womeningamesinternational.org, or contact Morgan Ogburn, ThemePark Studios, 512/916-9633 or morgan@themeparkstudios.com, for more information.