MMORPG.COM News: Women's Game Conference

E3 is now over, and we have just received word of a new conference that will be debuting this year in Austin, Texas - the "International Women's Game Conference."  Here is the official press release:

AUSTIN, Texas, May 17, 2004 - The Game Initiative announced today the Women's Game Conference (WGC), a new conference focusing on women in the computer and video game industry, will take place September 9-10, 2004 in Austin, Texas. The conference will focus on a variety of women's topics in the computer and video game industry including examining career paths for women in the industry and issues related to working in the industry as women as well as how women are portrayed in games and women and girls as consumers of games. The Women's Game Conference also announced a Steering Committee comprised of leading women in the game industry, representing leading game hardware manufacturers, developers, publishers and educators, who are guiding the creation of a powerful and influential WGC program. The conference is open to anyone interested in the game industry, including existing professionals, industry executives and persons interested in getting into the game business. The conference web site is http://www.WomensGameConference.com  The WGC 2004 Steering Committee includes: ° Ellen Guon Beeman, Live Team Producer, The Matrix Online, Monolith Productions °  Mia Consalvo, Assistant Professor in the School of Telecommunications, Ohio University °  Laura Fryer, Director, Advanced Technology Group, Microsoft Corporation °  Sheri Graner Ray, Senior Game Designer, Sony Online Entertainment (Committee Chairperson) °  Kathy Schoback, Vice President of Content Strategy, Infinium Labs "This comprehensive program is a positive step forward for the industry and could not have taken place several years ago," said Sheri Ray, Women's Game Conference Steering Committee chairperson. "Conference participants will be able to discuss the industry and focus on the evolution of the business going forward. Participants will identify trends and discuss how to continue to expand the industry." Attendees will hear from industry leaders and have the opportunity to network extensively at the WSC. The casual nature of this event allows attendees an unprecedented opportunity to gain valuable contacts and explore new ways to expand the business and create a thriving work environment. The conference is $125 for professionals and $85 for students if they register in advance online (a $50 savings). Onsite registration prices are $175 for professionals and $135 for students. The Women?s Game Conference is held concurrently with the Austin Game Conference, the definitive conference on multiplayer online game development. Registration to one conference gains full access to both conferences. "The Women's Game Conference fits with The Game Initiative's mission to serve as a leader in assisting in the growth of the computer and video game industry by serving the needs of the people in the business," said Christopher Sherman, Executive Director of the Game Initiative.

- MMORPG.COM Staff -