Keynote Announced for Women in Games International-SanFrancisco.

Robin Harper, SVP of Community and Support for Linden Lab, has been tapped as the keynote speaker for next month's Women in Games International conference in San Francisco on Saturday, February 18.

Robin will present "From the Virtual to the Real: How Second Life created an online world and community that strongly appeals to women, and how the virtual world has changed the real life of women participants." I've included the complete program below for more details on the conference panels and roundtables.

Other speakers include Sheri Hargus, CTO, Her Interactive; Don Daglow, CEO, Stormfront; Robin McShaffry, VP of Operations, Mary-Margaret.com, John Romero and numerous other industry experts.

Space is still available; you can register online. They are also seeking volunteers in the Bay Area for the day of the event.

Conference: Games for Women, Games by Women - Fort Mason Conference Center,
San Francisco - Saturday, February 18.

Program
Panels:

Games for Women

There's a big secret in the game industry. women already buy and play games. Industry veterans will talk about the games and genres that already are succeeding with female players, and how to develop and market games that appeal to the female and male audience.

Women Who Play

Is the female gamer genuinely different from the male gamer, when they're playing the same game? What really happens when women play in traditionally male game genres? This panel will focus on the different game styles and attitudes of female players, and how that may influence the overall game market in the future.

Games by Women

The videogame industry is constantly changing tools, technology, and skills, as games and game systems evolve. This panel of experts will talk about the skills needed for a successful career, both now and for the future.

Roundtables:

Marketing and PR

Marketing and PR can make the difference between a game that's critically acclaimed vs. one that's a major hit. Learn more about the role of marketing and PR in the videogame industry, and the skills needed for these challenging jobs.

Meet the Recruiter

Interested in a game career but don't know where to start? Talk to recruiters from top game companies for advice on how to begin your job search.

The Perfect Resume

The perfect resume gives the hiring managers everything they need to decide to interview you. One of the industry's most knowledgeable recruiters will discuss the basics of good resumes, and common mistakes to avoid.

Planning for the Long-term Career

Getting that first game industry job is hard. Building a long-term successful career can be even harder. This discussion will focus on planning for the long term, including ongoing education, networking, and setting career goals.

Portfolios with Impact

When you apply for a game industry job, you have about a minute to impress the hiring manager. A veteran game industry recruiter will discuss how to create a portfolio that'll give the best impression when applying for art, programming, and design jobs.

The Producers

What does a game producer really do? A highly experienced game producer will talk about the producer role, and the career path to becoming a producer.

Quality of Life

Balancing personal life and the demands of a game industry career is an ongoing challenge for both newcomers and veteran game developers. This discussion will focus on practical problem-solving and also ways in which we can promote change in the industry to address this issue.