As I delve into the lives of these extraordinary gaming industry titans, I find myself awestruck by their accomplishments and resilience. Each one has carved out their own unique path, navigating the ever-evolving landscape of video games with grace, tenacity, and a touch of humor.
I can’t help but feel that gaming has become an essential pillar of modern entertainment. It’s not just about other forms of media adopting its structure, providing us with novel ways to engage and interact. Instead, it’s the rapid evolution of gaming itself that has made it so captivating – from fostering deeper connections between players to eliciting genuine emotional responses.
The Entertainment Gaming Leaders spearheaded by EbMaster span various sectors within the gaming industry, including game creation, platform construction, and multimedia transformation. They each showcase unique achievements – not merely games or corporations, but personal values that transform into professional aspirations. What they all share in common is their significant impact on an industry that sets it apart from others by allowing consumers to participate in storytelling in a way yet unmatched by any other medium.
Vicki Dobbs Beck
Vice president, immersive content, Lucasfilm
Dobbs Beck, an industry veteran from Lucasfilm, found the “What If…? An Immersive Story” project, which received a 2024 Emmy for exceptional innovation in media programming, particularly noteworthy in her career. She explains that this project marked a significant shift in storytelling, moving from traditional one-way communication to an immersive experience where viewers make impactful decisions shaping the narrative.
Matt Booty
President, game content & studios, Microsoft Gaming
Phil Spencer, head of Microsoft Gaming’s Xbox, Mojang, Bethesda, and Activision Blizzard publishers, manages the entire gaming studio setup. From “Call of Duty” to “Candy Crush,” and upcoming titles like “Starfield” and “Pentiment,” he oversees a wide array of games, both big and small. Many more games in development will soon join this roster. This includes “Indiana Jones and the Great Circle,” set for release in December, which will eventually be available on PlayStation 5 as well, following the pattern of several Xbox catalog titles that were released earlier this year, signifying a growing multiplatform strategy. Spencer explains, “It’s all about making great games accessible to as many players as possible.” Despite the long development pipelines for some of these games, which have been in progress since Microsoft Gaming began expanding significantly — even before the pandemic — Spencer remains undeterred. He emphasizes, “We aim to respect the artistic and entertaining aspects that our craft holds, as much as its scientific and technological ones.” — Kaare Eriksen
Neil Druckmann
Studio Head & Head of Creative, Naughty Dog
One of Druckmann’s earliest gaming memories is of his older brother bringing home a Pong console. However, it was only when he encountered the point-and-click adventures from Sierra Games that he felt a magical spark, which he aimed to recreate in his role as head of Naughty Dog. Among Druckmann’s initial projects with the company was “Jak 3,” followed by work as one of the lead developers on “The Last of Us.” Although he won’t reveal specifics, Druckmann hints at a significant upcoming project that has him more enthusiastic than ever. After directing an episode for Season 2 of HBO’s “The Last of Us,” Druckmann admits that witnessing the show’s creation is utterly surreal; he often feels the need to pinch himself while standing on actual sets like Joel’s house. — Jack Dunn
Rachell ‘Valkyrae’ Hofstetter
Co-founder, Hihi Studios
Hofstetter, a 10-year streamer and co-owner of ‘100 Thieves’, states that authenticity is crucial in her profession. She describes it as raw, unfiltered, and vibrant. For Hofstetter, games have long served as an escape, particularly during her challenging upbringing with an alcoholic father. She would often retreat to her room and lose herself in gaming to mute the chaos at home. Her career progression led her from Twitch streaming to a YouTube contract, and subsequently, she’s graced Vogue pages, music videos, and projects like ‘The Family Plan’ and ‘Sonic Prime’. Recently, she’s ventured into podcasting and struck a deal with Global Comics through her company, Hihi Studios. Hofstetter explains that viewers develop a strong connection, feeling as though they know her intimately. She refers to this bond as parasocial.
Hideo Kojima
Game creator, founder, Kojima Prods.
If video games have typically been considered less prestigious than other forms of art, Hideo Kojima is one of the most passionate champions for this medium. “My creations are frequently compared to movies,” explains the creator of ‘Metal Gear Solid’ and ‘Death Stranding’, with the sequel to the latter set for release in 2025 through Sony’s PlayStation. Alongside developing a multi-media action-espionage franchise, “Physint”, with Sony, Kojima is deeply involved in the film industry as well. This is evident in his collaboration with renowned horror director Jordan Peele on “OD”, an upcoming project for Xbox. Additionally, the film adaptation of ‘Death Stranding’ will be A24’s inaugural venture into adapting gaming intellectual property. Kojima will only serve as a supervisor in this collaboration with the art-house distributor, but he emphasizes his intention to bring a fresh perspective to cinematic adaptations that transcends merely transforming a game into a live-action movie. — KE
Christian Linke
Head of animation studio, Riot Games
According to Linke, creator of the popular Netflix show “Arcane,” prioritizing the player’s experience is key. He aims to ensure both established fans continue to appreciate the familiar characters and narratives, while also capturing the interest of newer viewers. Linke started his career as a composer in Germany, creating music for various projects. In 2010, he moved to Riot Games as a data analyst, immersing himself in the world of “League of Legends.” He later became part of the team that introduced Vi and Jinx, two highly-popular champions within the game who would eventually become the leads in “Arcane.” Linke has been working on this project for nearly nine years, and he’s overwhelmed by the positive feedback from players. Although the series is coming to an end, it feels both unreal and bittersweet, yet he’s eager to embark on new ventures. — AB
Holly Longdale
VP, executive producer of “World of Warcraft,” Blizzard Entertainment
In commemoration of “World of Warcraft” reaching its 20th anniversary, executive producer Longdale attributes the longevity and achievement of the online game series not solely to herself, but to a dedicated fanbase and her deep insight into players gained from her experiences in games like “EverQuest.” Her philosophy, “no player left behind,” has guided content development that appeals to both new and long-time gamers. With the introduction of the Worldsoul Saga (a narrative arc spanning three expansions), Longdale is eager for both returning and new players to delve into the richness of Azeroth. “We have this magnificent world in Azeroth that we want everyone to experience,” says Longdale, expressing her desire to continue expanding and growing the “Warcraft” universe. – Sharareh Drury
Laura Miele
President, EA Entertainment
For over 3 decades at EA Entertainment, Miele significantly influenced the company’s game development, ensuring the continued popularity of series such as “FIFA,” “Madden,” and “Battlefield.” Formerly the head of EA’s “Star Wars” division and senior vice president of global marketing, Miele is proud to have championed gender diversity and equality. She believes that both games and workplaces thrive when they create content that reflects a wide range of people. “Empowering thousands of incredibly talented, creative individuals within this dynamic industry is how I gauge my impact,” she notes. “EA’s ever-growing collection — including ‘The Sims,’ approaching its 25th anniversary — presents us with a terrific opportunity to deliver outstanding experiences for our players.” — SD
Tim O’Brien
Chief revenue officer, Scopely
In a statement, O’Brien shares that it’s fortunate to collaborate with remarkable partners such as Hasbro, Mattel, Paramount, Disney, Warner Bros., and others. These partnerships are long-term initiatives aimed at preserving the heritage of cherished brands. Mobile gaming represents half of the entire video game market, and Scopely stands among its leading figures. After making strategic investments in the gaming sector during recent years, Savvy Games Group – a subsidiary of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund – decided to purchase the mobile titan for approximately $5 billion in 2023, following Scopely’s initial triumph with “Monopoly Go.” As stated by him, the focus is on partnering with those who wish to develop and sustain enduring products while growing businesses together. Scopely specializes in creating immersive live services where players regularly interact with dynamic universes that continually evolve daily. — KE (Paraphrased)
Sean Shoptaw
Exec VP, Disney Games & Digital Entertainment
Following an impressive partnership launch with Epic Games, the creators of Fortnite, this spring, Shoptaw takes pride in transforming games into a “powerful narrative tool” for the company. A previous executive at Yahoo! Sports, Shoptaw now heads Disney’s international games and digital entertainment departments. Under his leadership, Disney saw significant growth after transitioning to a licensing model in 2016. Bob Iger, Disney’s CEO, acknowledges that Shoptaw has shown the value of games in cultivating lifelong Disney enthusiasts. Disney’s $1.5 billion investment with Epic Games signifies a key step in its new phase, where Shoptaw aspires to create a gaming platform that unites all aspects of Disney within one interconnected universe. As someone deeply touched by the impact of gaming, Shoptaw is excited to share this viewpoint with Disney’s management team. “We envision a future in which entertainment converges, and we believe Disney has a crucial role to play in shaping that future.” — SD
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2024-11-21 21:17