Category: AAA Executives

🎮 Michael Fridley is the CEO and studio director of Squanch Games. He has contributed to many titles since he started in…

Tim Morten, CEO and Production Director of Frost Giant Studios, leads the charge as they debut their highly anticipated RTS game, Stormgate—now live for Early Access!

Stormgate builds on the legacy of StarCraft 2 with a brand-new universe, crafted with Unreal Engine 5 and innovative tech. Recent playtests and demos suggest it’s shaping up to be a major hit. Tune in to discover how Frost Giant Studios is setting new standards in the RTS genre. And mark your calendars: Stormgate will be available for free-to-play on August 13th!

David Elton serves as the Fractional COO at Dave Elton Consulting, guiding game studios in striving for operational excellence while they develop their best games possible. He brings nearly three decades of expertise, having worked with top studios like Electronic Arts, Microsoft, Zynga, and Capcom. He has held diverse roles from Vice President – Product to Creative Director, contributing to a wide array of titles from Microsoft’s Solitaire to iconic franchises like Need For Speed and SSX. Join us to explore David’s role as a fractional executive, his insights on game development and business development, and his contribution to Mario Kart Bowser’s Challenge for Universal Studios, the first major attraction to incorporate AR. The discussion highlights the intersection of virtual and physical worlds in gaming and theme parks, offering a glimpse into the future of interactive entertainment.

Ethan Evans is a career development expert dedicated to helping professionals overcome career blockages and advance to the next level. After retiring as VP from Amazon, where he built Prime Gaming, managed Amazon’s first game studio, and contributed to Twitch, he shifted his focus to paying forward his good fortune by assisting clients from top US companies. With 70+ patents, over 10,000 resumes reviewed, more than 2,500 interviews conducted, and experience leading global teams of 800+, Ethan offers a wealth of expertise. Join host Lizzie Mintus to explore his remarkable career journey, including insights on overcoming career challenges, the significance of proactivity and emotional intelligence, and practical advice for advancing your career.

Chelsea Blasko, co-CEO and Partner of Iron Galaxy Studios, started as the company’s 13th employee and quickly became the catalyst behind the studio’s incredible expansion across multiple locations. Tune in to this week’s episode of the Here’s Waldo Podcast for exclusive insights on cultivating a values-driven culture and understanding the crucial role of diversity and mentorship in building a successful game studio.

Join Lizzie Mintus on this episode of the Here’s Waldo Podcast to dive into the secrets of driving business growth with Mike Wallen, Chief Commercial Officer at Keywords Studios. With over 29 years of experience, Mike’s career has been a fascinating journey from recruiter and agent to VP at Lakshya Digital, and now Global Business Development Director at Keywords. Since joining Keywords, Mike has played a pivotal role in scaling the company by 500% across 70 studios in over 25 countries. Tune in to learn more about his approach to business development, the importance of culture and values in scaling companies, and the innovative strategies that propelled Keywords Studios to the forefront of the game industry.

Jordan Weisman is a 40-year industry legend with four entrepreneurial company exits to Disney, Microsoft, Topps, and Paradox Interactive. Today, he is the CEO of Endless Adventures Inc., a no-code game creation platform designed to empower game designers, storytellers, authors, and artists to create their own narrative video games and drive innovation. Tune in to learn about Jordan’s journey and the key lessons he’s learned along the way.

Sarah Anderson is the Head of Global Marketing and Partnerships at Amazon Games. With over 30 years of experience in the gaming industry, Sarah has held strategic roles at Sega, Canopy, 2K Games, and now Amazon Games, where she leads growth initiatives and fosters community for major titles like New World and Lost Arc, along with overseeing upcoming releases. Join us as we uncover Sarah’s career journey, gain insights into building effective teams and nurturing talent, and uncover the authentic marketing strategies that have shaped the success of renowned titles like Bioshock, Borderlands, and Civilization, as Sarah provides a behind-the-scenes look at her impactful contributions to the gaming world.

Tune in to the latest episode of the Here’s Waldo Podcast, where host Lizzie Mintus sits down with Scott Hartsman, Advisor at Brain Jar Games and an active investor in various companies. Scott has an extensive track record in the game industry, with a portfolio of successes dating back to the early days of online gaming. From EverQuest 1 and 2 to Rift, Trove, ArcheAge, Gemstone, Scepter, and even online Warcraft, his contributions have generated billions in revenue and engaged hundreds of millions of players. We dive deep into the secrets to creating successful live games, streamlining hiring processes, and making tough decisions as a leader.

Join Lizzie Mintus on today’s episode of the Here’s Waldo podcast as she interviews Don McGowan, former General Counsel at Bungie. Don’s career also included stops at The Pokémon Company International and Xbox Game Studios Publishing, where he launched some of the biggest IPs in gaming. Tune in as we delve into Bungie’s groundbreaking “Pizza Attack” case and explore the legal side of the gaming industry. We’ll discuss topics like Employee Safety and Employer Obligations, Brand IP and M&A Strategies, AI and Copyright Issues, the Epic Games vs Apple Antitrust Lawsuit, and more.