First Annual Women's Game Conference Announces Program and Speakers for September 9-10, 2004 Conference.

AUSTIN, Texas -- Hardware Manufacturers, Developers, Publishers and Educators Foster Diversity of Ideas in Austin, Texas

The Game Initiative announced today the conference program and speakers for the first annual Women's Game Conference (WGC), taking place Sept. 9-10, 2004, in Austin, Texas. Speakers include leaders in the game industry, representing game hardware manufacturers, developers, publishers and educators. The conference program discusses the top issues facing women in the game industry including, gender-inclusive game design, women as consumers of games and career paths for women. The full program can be found online at the conference Web site http://www.WomensGameConference.com. Early registration is open until Aug. 15, 2004.

"The time is right and the number of women in the industry has grown large enough to support an effort like this. We will use this as an opportunity to develop positive plans to address many of the issues facing women in the industry today," said Sheri Ray, Women's Game Conference Steering Committee chairperson.

"The average age of gamers is 29, the core demographic is 18 to 35 and a third of game players are women," said Christopher V. Sherman, executive director of the Women's Game Conference and The Game Initiative. "Getting more women involved in creating games fosters a diversity of ideas, which leads to new types of games and, ultimately, new players. This is about expanding the industry."

Women's Game Conference 2004 Schedule

                        Thursday, Sept. 9, 2004

9:00-9:45 a.m.          Welcome and Introduction of Keynote

10:00-11:00 a.m.        Identifying The Top Issues Facing Women
                        in The Game Industry Today

11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.   Getting to the Top: Senior Industry
                        Decision-Makers Discuss Their Success

2:00-3:00 p.m.          Work Session on Top Issues

3:30-4:30 p.m.          Work Session and Report Out

                        Friday, Sept. 10, 2004

9-9:45 a.m.             Introduction and Keynote

10:00-11:00 a.m.        A Gamer's Life (How Quality of Life Issues
                        Affect Women and How We Can Improve It)

11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.   The Right Man For The Job Maybe Be A Woman ...
                        But How Do We Find Her?

2:00-3:00 p.m.          It's What's Inside That Counts:
                        Content and the Female Audience

3:30-4:30 p.m.          Women in Game Journalism

4:30-5:00 p.m.          Closing Remarks: Where Do We Go from Here?

Attendees will hear from industry leaders and have the opportunity to network extensively at the Women's Game Conference. 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 open to anyone interested in the game industry, including existing professionals, industry executives and persons interested in getting into the game business.

Confirmed Speakers Include:

Carrie Shepherd, managing editor, GMR

Cindy Lum, managing editor, Xbox Nation

Clarinda Merripen, director of operations, Cyberlore

Dana Jongewaard, managing editor, Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine

Ellen Guon Beeman, live team producer, The Matrix Online, Monolith Productions

Gordon Walton, Sony Online Entertainment, vice president & executive producer

Hank Howie, president, Blue Fang Games

Jennifer Tsao, managing editor, Electronic Gaming Monthly

Kathy Schoback, vice president, Content Strategy, Infinium Labs

Kiki Wolfkill, Microsoft

Kirsten Forbes, producer, Radical Entertainment

Kristen Salvatore, managing editor, Computer Gaming World

Laura Fryer, director, Advanced Technology Group, Microsoft Corp.

Linda Powers, HR director, NCSoft

Margaret Wallace, CEO, Skunk Studios

Mia Consalvo, assistant professor, School of Telecommunications, Ohio University

Raph Koster, chief creative officer, Sony Online Entertainment

Sandra Powers, Turbine Entertainment

Shannon Loftis, group program manager, Microsoft

Sheri Graner Ray, Steering Committee chairperson, Senior Game Designer, Sony Online Entertainment

Tina Cruz, director of human resources, Pandemic Studios

TL Taylor; assistant professor, IT University of Copenhagen

Early Registration for the two-day event is open and can be accessed by logging on to http://www.womensgameconference.com/register. Early registration for professionals prior to Aug. 15 is $125. After Aug. 15 the price is $145 for professionals. Onsite registration price is $175 for professionals. Early registration for students prior to Aug. 15 is $85. After Aug. 15 the price is $110 for students. Onsite registration price is $135 for students. One-day passes are also available. Conference Registration gains access to the WGC, technology pavilion and the Austin Game Developers Conference, the definitive multiplayer online game development conference, which runs concurrently.

Conference sponsors include Activision and Mary-Margaret.com. Media partners include Business Wire and GameDev.net

About The Game Initiative

The Game Initiative is a leading producer of conferences and events for professionals in the computer and video game industry. The Initiative is chartered with the growth of the industry through events, public awareness, information and supporting programs and serves the needs of companies and people involved in producing interactive entertainment software and hardware for video game consoles, handheld devices, personal computers and the Internet. Game Initiative events include the Austin Game Conference, the Women's Game Conference and the How to Break Into the Game Industry national conference series. More information about the Game Initiative can be found at http://www.TheGameInitiative.com.