International Game Developers Association Appoints New Members to the Casual Games SIG Executive Steering Committee
MOUNT ROYAL, NJ - August 17, 2007 - The International Game Developers Association Casual Games Special Interest Group (IGDA Casual Games SIG) welcomes Cherie Lutz, Jared Nieuwenhuis, Dave Rohrl and Rex Sikora as its newest Executive Steering Committee members.
The Casual Games SIG aims to facilitate the sharing of knowledge and ideas among developers to better create and market casual games. The SIG also works to promote initiatives on behalf of developers that encourage the growth of the entire casual games space. In addition to its continuing commitment to its quarterly newsletters, comprehensive white paper, and royalty reporting standards initiatives, the SIG plans to launch new initiatives in several key areas, including:
- Quarterly webinars featuring expert panels discussing topics critical to the casual game industry
- Drafting suggested standards that will improve the effectiveness of digital right management software for casual games
- Kick starting an industry-wide dialog around advertising standards and their implications for casual game developers, publishers, and distributors.
"We're very pleased to have such seasoned professionals join the Steering Committee to help lead these important initiatives. The commitment and expertise of the new and returning Committee members will help us to deliver great results across the board and further accelerate the visibility and growth of the casual game industry.” said Jason Akel, chairperson of the IGDA Casual Games SIG.
The complete list of the IGDA Casual Games SIG Executive Steering Committee Members for 2007-08 is as follows:
- Jason Akel (Chairperson), independent
- Cherie Lutz, Manager of Business Development, Microsoft Casual Games
- Charles Merrin, Vice President, North American Games, RealNetworks Inc.
- Jared Nieuwenhuis, Vice President of Global Marketing, Sandlot Games
- Brian Robbins, Executive Producer, Fuel Industries
- Dave Rohrl, independent
- Rex Sikora, Director of Channel Programs, PopCap Games
- James C. Smith, Producer, Reflexive Entertainment
- Wade Tinney, Partner, Large Animal Games
- Margaret Wallace, Co-Founder and CEO, Rebel Monkey
For more information about the IGDA Casual Games SIG and its initiatives, please visit www.igda.org/casual
About the International Game Developers Association (IGDA)
The International Game Developers Association is a non-profit professional society that is committed to advancing the careers and enhancing the lives of game developers by connecting members with their peers, promoting professional development, and advocating on issues that affect the developer community. For more information on the IGDA, please visit www.igda.org.