Lifetime Vp Kris Soumas to Keynote Women's Game Conference Held October 26-27, 2005; Second Annual Women's Game Conference Highlights the Importance of Women as Consumers of Games.

AUSTIN, Texas -- The Game Initiative, a leading producer of conferences and events for professionals in the computer and video game industry, today announced Kris Soumas, Vice President, Interactive for Lifetime Entertainment Services will deliver a keynote address at the Women's Game Conference to be held October 26-27, 2005, at the Austin Convention Center. Conference details and registration information are available at http://www.womensgameconference.com.

The second annual Women's Game Conference focuses on women in the computer and video game industry and highlights the importance of women as consumers of games, draws attention to the contributions women bring to the game industry workforce, and creates an environment conducive to networking. WGC registrants will also be able to attend the Game Writers Conference (also taking place Oct. 26-27, 2005) and the Austin Game Conference, taking place Oct. 27-28, 2005.

Kris Soumas is responsible for interactive content development, broadband and games for Lifetime. She launched a games section on Lifetimetv.com featuring original award-winning games such as RSVP, a Flash Forward 2005 People's Choice recipient. Before joining Lifetime in 1999, Soumas worked for ABC Television helping to develop ABC.com, Oscar.com and ABCNews.com.

"For more than twenty years Lifetime has been a leader in entertaining women," said Kris Soumas, Vice President, Interactive for Lifetime Entertainment Services. "We recognize that there are increasing opportunities to entertain women with games across all platforms which is why we are honored to be a part of the Women's Game Conference."

"The comprehensive program at this year's Women's Game Conference is being developed by some of the leading women in the game industry who have graciously given their time and expertise," said Christopher V. Sherman, executive director of the The Game Initiative. "We are extremely pleased to have an executive like Ms. Soumas share her knowledge and thoughts on entertaining women."

Some of the game-industry leaders speaking at WGC include:

-- Linda Currie, Blue Fang; Nicole Willick, Activision; Tracey Rosenthal-Newsom, Harmonix; Jeb Havens, Cyberlore; Amber Dalton, PMS Clan; Amy Brady, PMS Clan/ Frag Dolls; Lisa Waits, NOKIA; Heidi Perry, Play First; Lisa Sikora, Microsoft; Monika Madrid, UbiSoft; Clarinda Merripen, Cyberlore; Jennifer McLean, IGN Entertainment, Inc.

During the conference, they will speak on the following topics:

-- Increasing Marketshare: The Marketing of Games to Women

-- Team Building: How a Diverse Team Makes a Big Impact

-- Games for Girls: A New Realm of Possibilities

-- A Discussion with Professional Female Gamers

-- Sex in Games

-- Casual Games: Reaching the Female Market

Registration Information

Early registration for the event is now open. To register, log on to http://www.womensgameconference.com/. Early registration (before September 30th) is $145. After September 30th the registration rate rises to $165 and onsite registration is $195. Early registration for students prior to September 30th is $95. After September 30th the price for students is $115 and onsite registration is $145. Conference attendees will also have access to the Khronos Developer University, the Austin Game Conference, the TechPavilion, the Game Writers Conference, and the Austin Game Conference, which run concurrently with the Women's Game Conference.

The Austin Game Conference takes place along side the WGC, here are some highlights:

-- Khronos Developer University - This one day hands-on work shop provides up-to-the-minute training on industry standard APIs for embedded graphics and video processing. These APIs, including OpenGL ES and OpenVG, are vital for state-of-the-art game development on emerging handheld platforms including cell phones.

-- LivePitch - This well respected industry matchmaking event puts development projects in front of the world's leading game publishers.

-- TechPavilion and Attendee Lounge - The TechPavilion showcases the latest tools, technologies, products and services. Booths and/or private meeting rooms are available. The Attendee Lounge includes comfortable couches and chairs where attendees can relax and network in a casual environment.

-- Machinima and Game Tech Showcase Theater - Cinimatics and Gameplay are leaping forward. Witness the best of game animation, gameplay and film-making from 3D game engines.

-- Game Writers Conference - The first annual Game Writers Conference (GWC) is dedicated to the art and craft of game writing. GWC is guided by a group of leading game industry professionals: Susan O'Connor, Scriptwriter & Game Writers Conference Chair; Hal Barwood, Designer/Writer, Finite Arts; Dana Fos, User Experience Manager, Microsoft; Clint Hocking, Creative Director, Ubisoft; Patricia Pizer, Lead Designer, 4orty 2wo Entertainment

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 Mobile Game Conference, the Women's Game Conference, the Game Writers Conference, the Advertising In Games Forum, the Casual Games Conference, Game Technology Association Meetings and the How to Break into the Game Industry national conference series. More information about The Game Initiative can be found at http://www.GameConferences.com