Game Startup Boot Camp Speaker Bios:
Our Keynote Speaker, Jordan Weisman, has been the creative force behind several interactive entertainment companies; including his latest venture, Unbound Fiction. Jordan created MechWarrior and Shadowrun at FASA Corporation which he founded in 1980. He pioneered publicly accessible virtual reality at his second company Virtual World Entertainment, which he sold to the Disney family in 1992. Jordan founded FASA Interactive to develop his properties for PC and sold the company to Microsoft in 1998. As Creative Director for Microsoft Entertainment, he oversaw the first two years of Xbox titles including Halo. While at Microsoft, Jordan conceived and pioneered the transmedia experience for Steven Spielberg’s A.I. Artificial Intelligence, spawning the new genre of Alternate Reality Games. Founding 42 Entertainment to produce ARGs, Jordan oversaw the creation of “I Love Bees,” “Year Zero,” and the “Why So Serious?” campaign for The Dark Knight. Jordan is a New York Times bestselling fiction author, winner of the Northwest E&Y Entrepreneur of the Year award, Time Magazines Ten Best Ideas, and dozens of design awards.
Ed Fries, Founder, Figure Prints
Ed Fries created his first video games for the Atari 800 in the early 1980s. He joined Microsoft in 1986, and spent the next ten years as one of the founding developers of both Excel and Word. He left the Office team to pursue his passion for interactive entertainment and created Microsoft Game Studios. Over the next eight years he grew the team from 50 people to over 1200, published more than 100 games including more than a dozen million+ sellers, co-founded the Xbox project, and made Microsoft one of the leaders in the interactive entertainment business. In 2004, Ed retired from his Microsoft Vice President job to continue his work in the video game business as board member, advisor and consultant to a broad range of publishers, independent game developers, and media companies. In 2007 Ed launched his own startup, FigurePrints, an innovative company that uses 3D color printing technology to bring video game characters to life. In the summer of 2010 Ed released “Halo 2600”, a “demake” of the Halo video game series for the Atari 2600.
Torrie Dorrell, Vice President of Applications, Content & Games
As Vice President of Applications, Content and Games for one of the nation's largest wireless communications companies, Torrie Dorrell leads a team of talented individuals responsible for bringing to life compelling applications, games and services focused on enriching customers’ mobile experiences. Her team also oversees T-Mobile’s digital merchandising and mobile storefronts, mobile web, cloud services and mobile advertising.
Torrie joined T-Mobile in June, 2010. She has 20 years experience developing, marketing and selling innovative content and services across all entertainment mediums; and over 10 years experience in console, MMO, casual, social and mobile games. Prior to T-Mobile, Torrie served as the Senior Vice President of Global Sales and Marketing for Sony Online Entertainment (SOE) where she was responsible for leading Sony’s expansion into new genres and business models, such as Free Realms, a “freemium” virtual world game for kids launched in 2009. Prior to SOE, Torrie was founder and GM of Black Label Games under Vivendi Universal (now Activision Blizzard). Earlier in her career she worked in the music industry creating family record imprints for Disney, Warner Bros. and Rhino Entertainment.
Torrie graduated with a Bachelors of Arts in Journalism from Pepperdine University, and has been listed as one of the Top 10 Most Influential Women in MMOs by Massive Online Gamer Magazine (2009) and the Top 5 Women in Technology by chipchix.com (2009).
Torrie is committed to and actively involved in efforts to advance the participation of women and girls in the fields of science, mathematics and technology. She was the founder of G.I.R.L. (Gamers In Real Life) while at SOE, which helps educate and recruit women into the field of video game production and design.
Torrie currently lives in Seattle with her family and (when time allows) she is also writing a novel.
Chris Chung, Founder and CEO, Motiga
Chris Chung is the CEO and co-founder of Motiga, a game developer/publisher with focus on premium online games for smart mobile devices. Motiga is currently creating a cloud based server platform from ground up to help indie and small developers create innovative online mobile games. The company, which was founded in August 2010, has been quietly building a team of renowned online game industry veterans. Prior to founding Motiga, Chris was the CEO of NCsoft West: a division of global online game giant NCsoft. He spent over 7 years in NCsoft starting in late 2002 as the business manager for ArenaNet, the developer of Guild Wars, which went on to become one of the most successful online game franchise.
After the launch of Guild Wars in 2005, Chris went on to hold a number of executive roles within the company including the Corporate SVP of Publishing. In this role, Chris was responsible for leading the global publishing organization in NCsoft’s headquarters. He also led restructuring and streamlining of NCsoft’s business in Asia. Chris came back to the US to become the president of NCsoft North America and soon led the formation of NCsoft West to spearhead NCsoft’s business in the US and Europe headquartered out of Seattle, WA.
After leaving NCsoft in 2009, Chris consulted with a number of online game companies including a stint as the acting CSO for Trion Worlds, a Bay Area publisher of MMORPG Rift: The Planes of Telara. Prior to NCsoft, Chris worked in various program management and business management role at Microsoft. He left Microsoft in 2000 to found an online marketing research company BestCite.
Todd Hooper, Founder & CEO, Zipline Games
Todd is a twenty year veteran of high tech companies including Apple Computer and WatchGuard. Since moving to Seattle in 1998 he has founded two companies in the media and enterprise markets.
Todd was first bitten by the entrepreneur bug in high school when he developed a number of video games for Commodore computers, and Zipline represents a welcome return to his gaming roots.
Zipline Games is a Seattle based mobile games company and the creator of the Moai game development platform. Zipline was founded by game industry veterans experienced with the challenges of mobile games development, with the vision of making development faster and easier so developers can focus on creating innovative games with great game-play. Zipline’s investors include Foundeers Co-Op, Benaroya Capital, and Groundspeak.
Charles Finkelstein, BrandX Games/ KingX Studios
Charles Finkelstein has been Angel investing since 1997. He is an active investor in four angel investor organizations, performing collaborative due diligence while incorporating lessons learned. His diverse investment experience includes internet-based services, enterprise computing, gaming, advertising, manufacturing, financial services, entertainment and food & beverage. He is an independent computer and technology consultant with 18 years diverse experience at Microsoft, and 8 previous in Silicon Valley Startups and the US Government. His current focus is leading innovation, partnerships, and product development in media, advertising, enterprise solutions, social computing, business intelligence and web services. His career includes 18 years at Microsoft serving mainly as Principal Group Program in technical and business leadership roles performing consulting, engineering, international technical evangelism and business development, IT innovation and management, global marketing and sales training. Prior to Microsoft, Charles was a recognized computing expert and worked with several Silicon Valley companies and the United States Government. Prominent in the Seattle-area angel investor community, Charles serves on advisory boards of companies guiding business and technology success.
Stuart Moulder, CEO, Her Interactive
As CEO, Stuart Moulder runs day to day operations and works with Ms. Gaiser on corporate strategy. Mr. Moulder joined the game industry over twenty years ago with Sierra On-line. While at Sierra, Mr. Moulder delivered the first CD-ROM title Mixed-Up Mother Goose as well as working on Sierra's biggest games including King's Quest and Leisure Suit Larry. Later he was asked to direct applications and game development for the first dedicated online gaming network, The ImagiNation Network.
Mr. Moulder left Sierra to join Microsoft in the mid-90's where he helped Microsoft enter the core gaming business. While at Microsoft, Mr. Moulder signed and managed the Age of Empires franchise - Microsoft's first multi-million selling game titles. Mr. Moulder was responsible for several strategic studio acquisitions as well, bringing Bungie, FASA and Ensemble Studios into the fold at Microsoft. Since leaving Microsoft, Mr. Moulder has focused on casual and family gaming including Scene It?, LEGO Universe and Marvel Super Hero Squad Online.
David Edery, CEO, Spry Fox
David Edery is Manager of Fuzbi, an independent consulting firm focused on the business and design of digitally-distributed and online games, and CEO of Spry Fox, a game development studio focused on making the world a happier place. David is also a director on the board of the International Game Developers Association (IGDA), and a research affiliate of the MIT Comparative Media Studies Program (MIT CMS). Previously, David was the Worldwide Games Portfolio Manager for Microsoft’s Xbox Live Arcade service, and the MIT CMS Program’s Associate Director for Special Projects before Microsoft.
David is also the co-author of Changing the Game: How Video Games are Transforming the Future of Business – a review of the ways that games are helping companies to connect with customers, to attract, train, and motivate employees, and to boost their productivity.
David received his MBA from the MIT Sloan School of Management, where he concentrated on marketing and entrepreneurship. Prior to receiving his MBA, David worked as a software engineer and founded a successful software development and consulting firm. Last but not least, a long time ago in a place far, far away, David received his BA in English Literature from Brandeis University. (Who says English majors can’t be good engineers, or good businesspeople for that matter?)
Jake Kazdal, Founder and CEO, Haunted Temple Games
Before founding Haunted Temple Games, Jake has since 1996 been a Texture Artist, Modeler, Animator, Rigger, Level Designer, Production Designer, Concept Artist and Art Director in the games industry in Seattle, Tokyo and Los Angeles.
History: Playing videogames since the late 70′s when his parents couldn’t find a babysitter during busy nights at the family owned Pizzeria. A styrofoam cup full of quarters, a chair to stand on and an arcade full of the classics would leave him endlessly entertained. Worked at Nintendo during high school as a game counselor during the NES days, playing almost every NES game known to man. Time spent after that at Irem as a playtester, then at Enix America as a game counselor during the early SNES days. After art and then animation school, became a game artist interning at Lobotomy Software, and then into professional work at Boss Game Studios.
At Sega of Japan’s RD9/CS4/UGA office for 4 and half years he was responsible for Concept Art and Animation for Ulala’s adventures in Space Channel 5 and Space Channel 5 part 2. Concept Art, Modeling and Animation for Rez is still one of his proudest contributions. Unfortunately the world never got to see what the Rez team did next, it never lived long enough to see the light of day but was brilliant!
At EA LA, Jake was a Concept Artist for Steven Spielberg’s “LMNO” project, UI look development for Boom Blox followed by Concept Artist for Command and Conquer 4. Most recently he was Production Designer and Art Director for Zombie Studios/Ignition Entertainment’s digital-download shooter Blacklight: Tango Down.
Jake studied Animation at the Vancouver Film School’s Classical Animation Program, and Industrial Design and Concept Art at Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, as well as at Gnomon Workshop and Concept Design Academy.
Jason Holtman, Director of Business Development, Valve Software
As Valve's Director of Business Development, Jason focuses on Steam distribution, Steamworks integration, and game development on the Source engine. Prior to joining Valve, Jason practiced law, specializing on intellectual property and technology issues. Having travelled all over world to meet with current and potential partners, Jason can tell you the best place to park at SeaTac Airport and exactly where you should buy coffee in more than 15 major airports. He has also perfected the art of the "airport gift."
Robin Walker, Valve Software
Robin Walker co-wrote the hugely popular Quake mod "Team Fortress," before being assimilated when Valve acquired Team Fortress Software. Since then, he has been responsible for design, code, and management on various Valve products.
Lou Fasulo, COO, Z2Live
Prior to Z2Live, Lou lead the Publishing Team at NY based Sonic Boom Games including portfolio planning, sales, business development and marketing for the leading mobile games and UGC applications publisher. Lou’s team inked highly strategic licensing deals in the casual games space with PlayFirst and Big Fish Games, and launched the company's first original IP that achieved Top Seller status and “Best of 2009” on Verizon Wireless’ storefront in 2009.
Previous to Sonic Boom, Lou was the Vice President of Distribution at Vivendi Games Mobile, now Activision, where he lead sales and partner management to achieve the number 6 sales ranking in North America. He secured distribution for the company's mobile products on over 30 channels in the US, Canada, and Latin America. Lou helped launched the award-winning Surviving High SchoolTM game – one of the first original IP’s on mobile that consistently ranked among the top selling titles in North America for two consecutive years.
Prior to Vivendi, Lou held management positions at AT&T Mobility (formerly Cingular Wireless), and oversaw content acquisition and product management of games and applications. Early in his career, Lou was a product manager at Earthlink. He also co-founded GroovePort, a company that launched one of the first digital music subscription services with content from over 70 labels. Lou received his Masters Degree in Engineering from Clarkson University.
Tim Porter, Partner, Madrona Ventures
Madrona Venture Group is a venture capital firm with over $670 million under management, which invests in early-stage technology companies in the Pacific Northwest. Tim is focused on investments in the software, infrastructure, and mobile sectors. He has been particularly interested in the areas of SaaS, cloud computing, and next generation mobile platforms. Tim joined Madrona in 2006. He currently serves on the boards of Appature, Corensic, Mobilisafe, and PHP Fog, and is a board observer for Apptio, ExtraHop Networks, Impinj, Singlepoint, Skytap, Smartsheet, and Z2Live. Tim is also a member of the three-person Investment Committee for the Alliance of Angels Seed Fund. Prior to joining Madrona, Tim was a key member of Corporate Development at Microsoft, where he shared responsibilities for sourcing, structuring, and negotiating Microsoft’s acquisitions, strategic investments, and joint ventures. At Microsoft, Tim focused on enterprise software, security, and wireless and closed 14 transactions for over $850 million. Notable transactions included acquisitions of Softricity, FrontBridge Technologies, and ProClarity. Earlier, Tim worked for broadband satellite start-up Teledesic, spending his last year there also working for Craig McCaw’s Eagle River Investments. Tim received his bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from MIT and an MBA from the Stanford Graduate School of Business.
Corey Dangel, Founder and CCO, Detonator Games
Corey brings a visual attitude to everything he touches. With over 17 years of experience, including Microsoft (Internet Gaming Zone, MGS, & Kids Games groups), CaveDog Games, and Sony Online Entertainment, he has directed creative teams of artists and designers on dozens of projects. He is the explosive visual style of our games.
Patrick Wylie, VP, Big Fish Studios
As Vice President of Studios at Big Fish Games, Patrick Wylie oversees the production of Big Fish Games Studios games, including the popular Mystery Case Files, Hidden Expedition and Drawn franchises. Patrick’s group is also responsible for developing and expanding games across a number of platforms, including iPad, iPhone, Nintendo DS and other platforms. The team recently released the Amazon: Hidden Expedition App for iPhone and iPad, introducing head-to-head multiplayer on iPad, as well as Big City Adventure: San Francisco, the first App with voice chat for both iPad and iPhone. Prior to Big Fish Games, Patrick spent nine years at Humongous Entertainment, the leader in children`s adventure, sports and edutainment games. Patrick has a B.S. in microbiology from the University of Washington.
Brayden Olson, CEO, Novel
Brayden is a young entrepreneur, videogame designer and CEO that has built Novel into a venture-backed, fast growing organization that is bringing videogame design and behavioral science together to build a new category of business products called enterprise simulations.
Novel is a uniquely positioned pioneer in the emerging enterprise gaming market. M2 Research predicts the “gamification” market to grow from $100M to $2.8B over the next 4 years. Novel has been featured in Fortune, Fast Company and Seattle Business Magazine as a company positioned to lead in this emerging market. The Company has assembled a veteran leadership team coming from Electronic Arts, Nintendo and Microsoft as well as seasoned entrepreneurial leadership that has driven three successful exits including one IPO.
In 2011, Brayden was the youngest entrepreneur ever to be admitted to Seattle’s Entrepreneur Organization Chapter. Novel was selected by the city of Bellevue as one of the Top 3 Emerging Businesses in the region, and Brayden as the Young Professional of the Year. Novel was also the judges’ pick at Fortune magazines “Startup Idol” Competition. He also founded the Young Entrepreneur Social to help build, develop and contribute back to Seattle’s young entrepreneur community. In 2010, Brayden was selected as the top Student Entrepreneur of the Year for the West Coast by Entrepreneur’s Organization.