Video Game Industry Leaders to Speak At MD/DC/VA Job Conference on June 26 in Chevy Chase, Md.

CHEVY CHASE, Md. -- Industry Event Designed to Help Pump New Blood Into The Growing Game Industry

The Game Initiative today announced the speakers for its "Maryland/DC/Virginia How To Break Into Video Game Industry: Conference and Resume Workshop" which takes place in Chevy Chase, Maryland on Saturday, June 26, 2004, 8:30am - 3:00pm at the National 4-H Youth Conference Center.

The event located at http://www.GameConferences.com/maryland/ online is designed for students and professionals looking to get into the computer and video game business. No experience is required to attend. Speakers include veterans and industry insiders from diverse backgrounds, including:

--  Bob Bates, co-founder of Legend Entertainment, Game Producer and
    IGDA Board Member

--  Derick Clark, Professor of Software Engineering, University of
    Advancing Technology

--  Michael Cosner, Senior Artist: Cinematic Design, Red Storm
    Entertainment

--  Matt Firor, Executive Producer, Mythic Entertainment

--  David Frederick, President, df/Media Group

--  Doug Kaufman, Senior Designer, Big Huge Games

--  Robin McShaffry, Recruiter, Mary-Margaret.com

--  Chris Oltyan, CEO, Qove Studios

--  Roger E Pedersen, Developer and Game Design Book Author "Game
    Design Foundations"

--  Coray Seifert, Developer, Large Animal Games

--  Joe Helfrich, VP of Sales and Business Development; The Americas,
    Exent Technologies

--  Chris Weaver, Founder, Bethesda Softworks

Whether its building games for the Xbox, PlayStation 2, PC or mobile game devices, attendees will have the opportunity to speak with industry insiders, including top recruiter Mary-Margaret.com, insiders from local game companies as well as network and meet with industry veterans. The cost is $45 in advance or $60 at the door. The event is supported by the Baltimore County Department of Economic Development and the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development.

Students will learn how to build an early professional road map to a career in the game industry. Professionals looking to move into the business from other industries will learn how their experience and transferable skills can gain rapid entry into the game industry.

A full schedule is online at http://www.GameConferences.com/maryland/

About The Game Initiative

The Game Initiative is chartered with the growth of the computer and video game industry. More information about the Game Initiative and other game initiative events can be found at http://www.GameConferences.com.

NOTE TO EDITORS: In the name "df/Media Group," there is a pipe symbol between the "df" and "Media Group." It was changed to a slash mark for transmission purposes only.