Women In Video Games - International Women's Day
It is Tuesday 8th March and that means it is International Women’s Day, a global day to mark the various achievements and contributions that women have made to the world and the impact that they have left.
Women have contributed a lot to the world whether it be through arts and music, politics or campaigning and fighting for women’s rights.
They have played a pivotal role in society and continue to leave an impact on the world. There are also many influential women in video games. We are going to have a look at women in the video games industry to mark International Women’s day.
Lara Croft
Probably one of the most recognizable female video game characters in the world. Lara Croft from Tomb Raider is characterized as a very athletic and smart who is an archaeologist. Lara Croft even has her own movie adaption which is portrayed by Angeline Jolie.
Lara Croft’s introduction in 1996 and was seen as an innovation in the video game industry as most protagonists of video games before were primarily male. Lara paved the way for women in the video games industry.
Lara holds a ‘Guinness World Record’ for most recognizable female video game character and also has a ring road named after her in Derby, UK called Lara Croft Way.
Bonnie Ross
Bonnie Ross is a video games developer and Corporate Vice President at Microsoft Studios, Ross is part of team that make the hugely popular first person shooter franchise, Halo.
She has also worked on many other games including Gears of War, Mass Effect, Zoo Tycoon and Jade Empire.
Bonnie has been listed in Fortune magazines article ’10 powerful women in video games’. She regularly has speaking engagements and is one of the most respected women in the video games industry.
Roberta Williams
Roberta Williams is a video game designer who co-founded Sierra Entertainment along with her husband Ken Williams. She is known as a pioneer in the video game industry and is one of the most influential PC game designers.
She has created many games along with her husband such as the King’s Quest franchise, Phantasmagoria and Mixed-Up Mother Goose. Roberta is typically popular for making graphic adventure games. She announced her retirement from the video game industry in 1999 but it is rumored that she is going to make a return with another game.
Jane Jenson
The designer behind the popular and critically acclaimed series Gabriel Knight. Jane is the co-founded Oberon Media and Pinkerton Road video game studios.
Jane Jenson is a very accomplished video game designer and has worked for many big game studios including Zynga.
Jane worked with Roberta Williams at Sierra Entertainment on many different games including the King’s Quest series.
Kellee Santiago
Kellee is the co-founder of the video game studio Thatgamecompany. She produced PlayStation downloadable games Flow, Flower and Journey.
After the sale of the company Santiago became advisers for many different companies including Ouya and Women in Games. She has been named by many publications as one of the most influential women in the video games industry.
She now works for Google Play Games.
We hope you enjoyed this article on women in the video games industry. If we missed anyone out please let us know in the comments!