Marishka Zachariah is a game developer, designer, digital artist and maker, partaking in many interactive and game projects using VR, AR, UI/UX and narrative design. Her work has been showcased at Comics x Games, SXSW, CES, ITP, ReFiG and numerous other shows across North America. They are currently working on an upcoming VR project with the National Film Board of Canada and an upcoming mobile game with Toronto-based startup: Upptack Studios.

“I am definitely looking forward to meeting and speaking with game developers I know from the internet and globally, as well as looking forward to up and coming designers in the indie and AAA games realm that aren’t as well known. One of my personal favourite showcases from last year (and what I’m looking forward to this year) is Day of the Devs and Alt-Ctrl, and know some local Toronto game designers that are showcasing their game at Alt-Ctrl called Disco is Dead this year. Besides GDC showcases, the events and talks are always great to attend to meet and network with many others in the industry.”

I’m a support-class game dev, helping creative teams make awesome games by getting everything organized and removing hurdles so they can do what they do best: programming, designing, modelling, writing… Also an eternal expatriate, an avid history buff and a passionate horseback rider. I read about, make and watch games more than I actually play them.

“I’m extra excited about getting to talk to game devs from around the world, getting their insights and thoughts on production and the craft of game-making. And I’m especially pumped to be doing that with a group of awesome women devs to support each other!”

Hey! I am an artist originally from the US but now living in London. I’ve only been in the industry a few years but I’ve had the amazing opportunity to do art on my first game, Monument Valley 2. I have a passion for making games that are for everyone, and that tell relatable stories. I have also tried to build up my social media so that I can help and inspire others hoping to get into games, and give any advice I can!

“I am most looking forward to making new friends, learning new tricks, and getting to see all the amazing games that people have been working on.”

Hi, I’m Kelly. I grew up in Singapore, but have been living in the US since 2011 first for school, and then work. I attended the Savannah College of Art & Design, and now I make concept art and textures for the educational MMORPG Tyto Online and its ecology module Tyto Ecology!

“Catching up with all the amazing and inspiring game devs I know or will soon meet!”

I’m a nonbinary Japanese American artist based in Minneapolis, MN. My co-creations include Anodyne, Even the Ocean, Secrets Agent, and how do you Do It. I also make sad comics and cashier at a natural foods co-op. I’m stoked to have new experiences and to gain more perspective on how/what people are doing in games.

“Looking forward to seeing old friends and making new friends!”

Hi! I’m a games programmer, previously gameplay/tools/Unity stuff. Now I mainly focus on UI/UX and make things Look and Feel Good™️. More often than not, you’ll find me talking about anything related to Star Wars. That or cuddling Podrick Podracing, my very good long dog.

“Meeting rad new folks or catching up with old friends. I’m trying to focus on my UI/UX skills so looking forward to the UX Summit and meeting new people who also specialize in this area.”

Hi, I’m from Austria and I work with my lovely peers from Follow the Feathers whom I’ve know since our first university days together. We create indie games with a strong focus on visual aesthetics and non-violence. Our current project – which I live and breath for – is Weaving Tides. It’s an adventure game about mythical creatures and strange family bonds set in a completely woven world.

“I’m looking forward to catch up with my international gamedev friends, make new ones and get inspired. Though I know once I’m on site I’ll be mostly looking for the tables with the free coffee. ”

Please call me Cachorra, a non-binary artist who loves playing games, writing, drawing creepy chimeras, and twerking. I’ve been working as a mobile games translator for the last three years. Originally from Brazil, I moved to Montreal to pursue the dream of becoming a Narrative Designer in the video game industry.

“Looking forward to meeting people who are also passionate about Narrative/Character Design. Can’t wait to hear what developers have to share. I’m eager to learn and I believe the talks and panels will help me grow as an artist/designer.”

Started out as a graphic designer in sunny Singapore, I got into videogames UI from web development and learnt a lot in this industry in Ubisoft. After exploring UI for PC and console games, I am currently focusing down the UX path. Favourite genres include JRPGs, SRPGs, visual novels and puzzles.

“I’m excited to meet fellow developers from around the globe and learn a lot in the sessions. Very hyped to attend some talks too!”

Lily Yu is a writer and narrative designer who’s worked at Bungie on Destiny and Destiny 2. She’ll be joining the team at ArenaNet a week before GDC. Recent short stories can be found here and here.

“I’m looking forward to learning from all the talks at the Narrative Summit and getting to see friends old and new.”

Sarah codes video games! She has previously worked on Mass Effect Andromeda at BioWare Edmonton and is now working on exciting things at Motive in Montreal. She specializes in online technologies and likes multiplayer games, information security, kpop and cats.

“Looking forward to meeting amazing people and learning. :)”

Dev QA by day, 2D artist by night (until midnight) and also coordinator on the last Pixelles Incubator’s follow-along. She is very passionate by videogames, its artistic side and what it can bring to us (take a look on Hellblade OMG). She loves graphics novels, sashimis and the swedish band Ghost.

“Very excited to meet other passionate game devs and share ideas, to attend talks, especially design and art topics.”

I’m from Ōtepoti, New Zealand! I’ve recently been a part of the #girlsbehindthegames planning, am the games editor for Critic Te Arohi and an NZGDA Board Member. I love narrative heavy games that make me feel cosy and am learning to make games in my spare time.

“I’m mainly looking forward to connecting with and learning best practise from other Narrative Designers and Writers. I’m hugely looking forward to the Sonic the Hedgehog Postmortem as it was the first game I ever played as well as catching up with old friends and eating garlic fries from Super Duper Burger!”

I’ve been giving souls to fictional characters before I even knew I was meddling in godly affairs. Cyberpunk games and stories are my jam. Geeky crowdfunding campaigns are my weakness. I’m a longtime Pokémon trainer but far from being a master.

“I’m looking forward to meeting all sorts of extraordinary people and learning what I can at GDC. I’m ready to listen and I’m ready to discuss what matters in video games.”

Anisa Sanusi is a Malaysian UI/UX Designer at Hutch Games based in London, UK. Having worked in UI design in games across PC, consoles and mobile, Sanusi has cultivated a devotion to good UX design practices. Sanusi was a speaker at the first UX Summit in 2017 and has also spoken about ethnic diversity at the European Women In Games Conference.

“Definitely to hang out with my international gamedev friends, as GDC is one of the few events where people from all over the world meet and form new friendships. Otherwise, I’m looking forward to the UX Summit so I can talk shop with fellow UXers in games!”

Hey, I’m Beatrix! I’m an audio nerd and I’ve been working as a sound designer and composer since 2012, the last three years of which were in video games. I recently completed my work on Anamorphine, a surreal first person exploration game being released very soon by Artifact 5. My primary creative focus is in creating powerful immersive experiences for the player.

“I’m really looking forward to all the talks as there looks to be some great ones this year, but I’m especially looking forward to meeting up with so many other audio folks!”

Hannah is a Los Angeles based narrative designer currently writing on Night School Studio’s upcoming infernal adventure game Afterparty. When she isn’t making bad jokes in hell or on the internet (which might actually be the same place), she can be found playing D&D with her pals and thinking about dogs.

“I’m always so stoked for the narrative summit talks- I honestly can’t wait to camp out in West Hall Room 3016 for two days straight. I’m also super looking forward catching up with long-distance buds I only get to see at the conference and eating all the delicious food SF has to offer!”

I’ve been in the industry for about 7 years, where I’ve worked in Localization, Audio production and now Live management. I’m a production process nerd, an organization queen and an amateur sewist.

“What are you looking forward to most at GDC? I’m looking forward to meeting new people, getting inspired by industry leaders and learn as much as I can.”

Hello! I’m a Game Designer and Project Manager with a vast array of interests ranging from gamification and social gaming to event planning. I was recently Programs codirector for MEGA, a new consumer gaming event in Montreal, and coordinator for the Pixelles Game Incubator and JamNATION game jam league. I am currently working as Project Manager at GamePlay Space where I get to spend the day with wonderfully creative minds.

“I’m really looking forward to meeting new people and catching up with friends from around the globe. ”

I’m currently game programmer at Behaviour Interactive. I’ve been there for two years now, making mobile games.

Since my 6 years old, I wanted to be into computer science and in highschool I dreamt about making video games. I entered EPITECH which is a school of Computer Science and Software Engineer in France. Because yes I’m French :p I’ve been in Montreal for 4 years now and I love it! I love music (listen and practice!), I would love to learn every instrument that exist but right now I play mainly violin, piano, guitar and drums. And obviously I love playing video games. I play essentially FPS but from time to time I like playing indie games, puzzle games, and party games !

“At the GDC, I’m really looking forward to meet people that are passionate and to learn from one another. I’m very excited to go !”

Hi! If my art evokes your hidden desire to explore the world, I’ll consider it a success.
Currently working on the CoD series.

Stories and games with interesting world building logic are my weakness.
Food is my other hobby.

“Learning from others and sharing ideas. Seeing everyone’s passion is such a great mental booster.”

I’m a Montreal-based freelancer who’s been jumping from one indie game project to the next in the past few years. I like to think that I am a jack-of-all-trades: I enjoy doing concepts, but also 2D art, 2D animation, UI, integration and even a little bit of 3D. When it’s not games, I also do children’s books and illustrate YA novels for publishers. (I don’t think I could ever choose games over books! I love doing both!)

“What are you looking forward to most at GDC: Making discoveries and hopefully getting inspired by all the games, workshops, events and presentations. I also look forward to meeting other creative folks!”

I work hard and I like to help those who need it. For the rest, here is a quote by Molly Crabapple: “Don’t be a dick. Be nice to everyone who is also not a dick, help people who don’t have the advantages you do, and never succumb to crabs in the barrel infighting.”

“All of the UI summits and conferences. There are precious few tutorials and information available so this is great! Also a lot of the diversity summits. It’s sorely lacking in the industry so it would be refreshing to get some hard facts and point of views.”

& more ♥

Marion is a Game and Level Designer at Tribute Games. She also love to do smaller games on her free time. She’s obsessed about Magical Girls and really appreciates when games have a well done UX design.

Tanya X. Short co-founded Pixelles with Rebecca! By day she is the director of Kitfox Games, the small studio currently working on Boyfriend Dungeon. Previously, she worked as a designer at Funcom Games on The Secret World and Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventures. She also co-edited Procedural Generation in Game Design.

“Looking forward to: Sitting on the grass and just chilling with so many friends I haven’t seen since last GDC.”

Stephanie is WIG community organizer based in Toronto, Ontario. She made her first (and only) game as part of the Hand Eye Society’s Difference Engine Initiative in 2012, but has been more interested in developing and supporting grassroots community-based game dev education initiatives ever since. She joined Pixelles as a co-director in 2015.

Rebecca co-founded Pixelles and co-organizes GameLoop Montreal with some really rad folks! At GDC, Rebecca is co-hosting the “Diversity Advocates” roundtables. Come talk about advocacy work with us! In her free time, she squishes her cat, solo eats whole bags of chips and aspires to reach Splatoon’s A+ rank.

“See you all soon! You can catch me attending the UX Summit, chilling with Pixelles, at Next Gen Leader sessions and trying not to be so shy around other developers.”