A variety of people compose the game-development community, but they all want something similar: the ability to make a decent living while making decent games.
[aditude-amp id="flyingcarpet" targeting='{"env":"staging","page_type":"article","post_id":596316,"post_type":"story","post_chan":"none","tags":null,"ai":false,"category":"none","all_categories":"games,","session":"A"}']The IGDA advocates on the behalf of developers to help them accomplish that goal, and today the organization appointed Katie Edwards as its new executive director to oversee its mission.
“Kate’s knowledge of the global game industry and local cultures make her ideal to lead the IGDA,” said IGDA chair Dustin Clingman. “Her long service to our organization and commitment to the global development community will lay a foundation for ongoing international growth.”
Edwards worked for years with Microsoft as its senior geopolitical strategist. She helped the company adapt its business for new markets around the world. Edwards joined the IGDA in 2004. Her international experience helped her when she founded and chaired the association’s localization special interest group in 2007.
Throughout her career, Edwards has consulted on games like Halo, Mass Effect, and Fallout 3.
“Game development is an artistic endeavor with mass appeal,” Edwards said. “Developers and fans alike are increasingly aware of the diversity of those who both create and play games. Today, we’re engaged in creating great games for a global audience, and the IGDA remains the relevant focal point for supporting developers in the broadest sense of the definition. I’m thrilled to be given the privilege to lead and nurture this awesome community.”
Edwards lives in Seattle where she will perform her duties as IGDA director.