March is Women's History Month, a time to celebrate and honor women's incredible contributions and achievements throughout history. It's also a chance to recognize the challenges women have faced in the fight for gender equality and advocate for their rights. At Everyrealm, we wanted to pay tribute to women by showcasing a list of remarkable and talented women in the field of immersive media and social gaming. Below are just a few of the notable women who have made significant contributions to this industry.
Amy Jo Kim is a prominent figure in the fields of game design, community design, and entrepreneurship. She is well known for designing games that incorporate social interactions, including The Sims, Ultima Online, and Rock Band. Kim is also a pioneer in community design, and her book "Community Building on the Web" is considered a classic in the field. As an entrepreneur, she has founded successful companies such as Shufflebrain and Naima. Additionally, Kim is a sought-after speaker and thought leader, having given keynote speeches at major conferences worldwide and being featured in several media outlets.
Brenda Romero is a renowned game designer and industry veteran with over 30 years of experience. She has worked on numerous critically acclaimed games, including Wizardry, Jagged Alliance, and the award-winning series, "The Elder Scrolls". In addition to her work in game design, Romero is also a prominent advocate for diversity and inclusivity in the gaming industry. She co-founded the non-profit organization "Latinos in Gaming" and serves as the program director for the undergraduate game design program at the University of California, Santa Cruz. Romero has been recognized with numerous awards and honors for her contributions to the gaming industry, including being inducted into the Academy of Interactive Arts and Sciences Hall of Fame in 2017.
Jane McGonigal is a game designer, author, and researcher who is best known for her work on using games to solve real-world problems. She has designed several award-winning games, including "Evoke", which was created to address global challenges such as poverty and climate change. In addition to her work in game design, McGonigal is a prolific author and speaker. She has written several books on game design, including the New York Times bestseller "Reality is Broken", and has given numerous keynote speeches at major conferences around the world. McGonigal is also a research affiliate at the Institute for the Future and has been recognized with several awards and honors, including being named one of the Top 100 Creative People in Business by Fast Company in 2012.
Siobhan Reddy is a prominent figure in the video game industry and is currently the studio director at Media Molecule, the creators of the critically acclaimed game "LittleBigPlanet" and its sequel. Under her leadership, Media Molecule has continued to produce innovative and creative games, including "Tearaway" and "Dreams". Reddy has been recognized for her contributions to the industry with several awards and honors, including being named one of the Top 100 Most Powerful Women in the UK Tech Industry by Computer Weekly in 2019. She is also a prominent advocate for diversity and inclusivity in the gaming industry and has spoken extensively about the need for more women and underrepresented groups to have a voice in game development.
Raffaella Camera is currently the head of Unreal Engine at Epic Games. Unreal Engine is a widely-used 3D creation tool, and under her leadership, Camera leads strategic partnerships and special projects with global brands and tech partners. She is known for guiding creative agencies in crafting future-proof digital experiences and has been recognized with numerous awards for her work, including being named one of the Top Women in Games by GamesIndustry.biz in 2020. Camera's work at Epic Games has helped shape the landscape of the video game and technology industries, and she continues to be a major player in these fields.
Simone Berry is a notable figure in the fashion and technology industries, with a focus on bringing fashion to the metaverse. With nearly two decades of fashion experience, Berry has established herself as a creative consultant and entrepreneur. She is passionate about the potential of Web3, where she envisions a world where the creator is centered, regardless of appearance, and where communities can thrive with decentralization. Berry's work at the intersection of fashion and technology has been recognized with several awards and honors, and she continues to be a thought leader in these fields, exploring new ways to innovate and shape the future of fashion and the metaverse.
Asmita Dubey is the Chief Digital Officer at L'Oréal, a French multinational beauty company. In this role, Dubey leads the company's digital transformation and innovation efforts, focusing on developing digital products and experiences for L'Oréal's global customer base. She is recognized as a thought leader in the areas of digital transformation, artificial intelligence, and customer experience, and has been featured in several publications for her contributions to the industry. Prior to joining L'Oréal, Dubey held leadership roles at several other major companies, including GE Healthcare and McKinsey & Company. Her extensive experience and expertise have helped shape the direction of digital innovation in the beauty industry and beyond.
Robin Hunicke is known for her work as a game designer, producer, and professor at UC Santa Cruz. She is also the co-founder and CEO of the independent game studio Funomena, where she has developed several award-winning games. Hunicke is known for her focus on creating games that evoke emotions and promote social interactions. She has also been a vocal advocate for diversity and inclusion in the gaming industry and has worked to promote opportunities for women and underrepresented groups in the field. Hunicke's innovative and thoughtful approach to game design has made her a respected figure in the industry, and she continues to push boundaries and explore new possibilities in the field of game development.
Krista Kim is a leading figure in the digital art and blockchain communities. She is known for her pioneering work in creating "Crypto Art," which uses blockchain technology to verify the ownership and authenticity of digital artworks. Kim is also the founder of the Mars House project, a virtual reality experience that has been widely acclaimed for its innovative use of digital space and immersive storytelling. Kim is a vocal advocate for the power of digital art and technology to transform the art world and make it more accessible to a wider audience. She has been featured in several prominent publications, including Forbes and Wired, and continues to be a driving force in the intersection of art and technology.
Kellee Santiago is a game designer and entrepreneur known for co-founding thatgamecompany, an independent game development studio responsible for creating critically acclaimed games such as Journey and Flower. Santiago has been a vocal advocate for promoting games as a medium for artistic expression and emotional connection and has worked to encourage diversity and inclusivity in the gaming industry. She has also served as a mentor and advisor for a number of game development programs and has been recognized for her contributions to the industry with several awards and honors. Santiago's innovative and thoughtful approach to game design has helped shape the industry and inspire a new generation of game developers.
Women have played a significant role in the field of immersive media and social gaming. Their contributions and achievements have helped shape the industry and have paved the way for future generations of women in gaming. It is important to continue to celebrate and honor the accomplishments of women in this field, and to advocate for gender equality in all industries. By recognizing the talents and accomplishments of women like those on this list, we can inspire the next generation of women to pursue their dreams and make their mark in the world of immersive media and social gaming.