The Worldwide Sport Builders Affiliation Basis (IGDA-F) has appointed former Microsoft exec Shannon Loftis as the brand new chair of its board of administrators.
She replaces one other fellow Microsoft alumni Ed Fries, who’s stepping down after a profitable 2 years main the group and can stay on the board.
After greater than 30 years of expertise in recreation improvement at Microsoft and past, Loftis retired from her job operating the Age of Empires studio at Microsoft in 2022. Along with her dedication to inclusion within the gaming and expertise areas, Loftis can be a useful addition to the IGDA Basis’s mission, the IGDA Basis mentioned.
After graduating with pc science and arithmetic levels from Duke College, Loftis joined Microsoft’s Video games group in 1995, the place she contributed to over 70 video games throughout PC, Xbox, and Xbox 360. A few of her contributions embody early on-line card video games, the Insanity sequence (Motocross Insanity, Monster Truck Insanity, and Midtown Insanity), Mission Gotham Racing, the Fable sequence, the Viva Piñata sequence, and Banjo Kazooie: Nuts and Bolts.
Transitioning to management roles at Microsoft, Loftis managed groups worldwide that had been chargeable for a lot of Microsoft’s latest successes. She constructed the Good Science studio, which laid the groundwork and shipped the Kinect system and lots of of its titles.
She later guided Microsoft’s First Social gathering World Publishing crew, which delivered bestselling titles like ReCore, Ori, Microsoft Informal Suite, and Flight Simulator. Earlier than retiring from Microsoft, she based World’s Edge, which is devoted to the award-winning Age of Empires sequence. Since leaving Microsoft, Shannon has remained lively within the business as a board member, advisor, marketing consultant, and mentor.
Loftis’ long-standing dedication to inclusion and connection stems from her experiences because the youngest in a big, shut household. She is fascinated by and passionate concerning the methods expertise and leisure can construct group, which has pushed her profession with a ardour to forge connections.
“I’m thrilled and honored to steer this board, and to work carefully with the inspiration and with the IGDA,” mentioned Loftis, in a press release. “The IGDA Basis is likely one of the most inclusive, intersectional, globally-relevant and efficient organizations in recreation improvement and I consider our mission is extra essential right this moment than ever earlier than.”
Loftis has served on the IGDA Basis and AIAS’ board of administrators and co-founded the Microsoft’s Girls in Gaming SIG with Bonnie Ross and Laura Fryer, which continues to be lively right this moment as a part of Video games 4 Everybody (G4E).
“I’ve labored alongside Shannon since our days at Microsoft; she’s a superb chief whose background and expertise within the business make her an ideal match to tackle the position of Chair,” mentioned Ed Fries, who’s now founder . “I’m assured that the IGDA Basis will keep true to its values beneath her steerage.”
To study extra concerning the IGDA Basis and to remain up to date on the most recent initiatives, go to the official web site at http://igdafoundation.org and observe @IGDAFoundation on social media.
The Worldwide Sport Builders Affiliation Basis (IGDA-F) is devoted to advancing inclusivity and variety within the gaming business by offering alternatives, training, and help for people from underrepresented communities.
The IGDA-F is sponsored by a beneficiant group of business firms, together with Double Advantageous Productions, Stride PR, and Premack Rogers. Since 2008, the IGDA-F has supported greater than 1,000 alumni who now develop video games at each AAA and indie studios. For extra info, go to https://igdafoundation.org.
As a part of an IGDA Basis award, Karen Lawson, the daughter of recreation business pioneer Gerald Lawson, gave Muriel Tramis The Gerald Lawson Award for Achievement in Sport Improvement at our GamesBeat Crossfire occasion through the Sport Builders Convention. And GamesBeat exec Gina Joseph can also be on the board of administrators of the IGDA Basis.
