ECGC 2020 Speakers

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ECGC 2020 keynote

Wim Stocks, CEO WorldGaming & Collegiate StarLeague

Wim Stocks has been a progressive leader in the online gaming and esports businesses since 1990. From 2001 to 2006, Wim was Executive Vice President of the “new” Atari Inc. (a roll-up and amalgam of Hasbro Interactive, Infogrames, and GT Interactive), leading and managing one of the broadest-reaching interactive entertainment publishing networks in the world. In 2006, Wim started an entrepreneurial online gaming publishing business named Elephant Entertainment, assuming the role of President and COO. In March 2008, the leading games publisher THQ purchased Elephant and Wim assumed the role of EVP and leader of the Online Gaming division and related digital gaming initiatives. In 2010, Wim was recruited to join the executive management team of Virgin Gaming (now WorldGaming) as Executive Vice President. In this role, Wim helped launch the company and platform in 2010, as well as developed strategic investor, technology, game publisher, retailer, and other brand partnerships. In April 2016, Wim was named CEO of WorldGaming & Collegiate StarLeague, which was acquired by Cineplex in the Fall of 2015 (a leading movie theater operator with diversification into gaming, location based entertainment, and other aligned entertainment and digital media businesses), and is presently leading the esports business, strategy, programming initiatives, sponsorship/partnership sales, and investor relations for the Company.

Wim currently serves as an Advisor to the Special Olympics International; an Advisor to Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment (MLSE) and Ryerson University’s ‘Future of Sports Lab’; Board member of Wombo Sports, a sports/gaming influencer agency; Advisor and part of the ownership group of Andbox, parent company of the New York Excelsior (NYXL), the professional NYC-based franchise in the Overwatch League and the NY Subliners, professional NYC-based franchise in the Call of Duty League; is a Board Member of National Public Radio’s ‘Marketplace’ programming; and is also a Trustee and on the Board of Directors of the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis. Wim is also Chairman of the Board of HPPS Ltd (a restaurant and real-estate holding company based in Minneapolis), and has also served on the boards of Allina/Abbott Northwestern Hospital, the Sister Kenny Rehabilitation Institute, and the Minneapolis Institute of Arts.

ECGC 2020 keynote

Tom Abernathy, Studio Narrative Director ArenaNet 

Tom Abernathy is the Studio Narrative Director at ArenaNet, where he guides story development and execution on Guild Wars 2 and other projects. His major game credits include GW2, The Division, League of Legends, Crimson Alliance, Halo: Reach, The Saboteur, and Destroy All Humans! 1 & 2. A 20-year veteran of companies including Riot Games, Microsoft Studios, and the late, great Pandemic Studios, in 2009 Tom was named one of "The Gamasutra 20: Top Game Writers." His most recent film credit, Bad Country, was released in 2015 by Sony Pictures. You can follow his ill-advised ramblings on Twitter @tomabernathy.

2020 ECGC Speakers

ECGC 2020 Speaker selection is in progress. New speakers are being added daily.

Alexandra Lucas - 2020 ECGC speaker
Alexandra Lucas

Alexandra Lucas

Game Writer & Narrative Designer, Freelance

Representation, Rewards, & Playersexuality: The Evolution of Relationship Mechanics in Dragon Age

We Have the Technology: Normalizing Remote Work

Presenting At Conferences: It’s Networking, Too!

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Ashley Ruhl - 2020 ECGC speaker
Ashley Ruhl

Ashley Ruhl

Cinematic Designer, BioWare Austin

Evolution of the Cutscene: Innovating Narrative Delivery in Games

We Have the Technology: Normalizing Remote Work

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Cindy Foster - Triangle Game Initiative board member
Cindy Foster

Cindy Foster

Program Director - Simulation and Game Development, WTCC

A Grant Writer and a Professor Walked into a Bar: A Journey to Program Improvement Told Though GIFs and Memes

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Eddy Web - 2020 ECGC speaker
Eddy Webb

Eddy Webb

Owner, Pugsteady

Paper Design: Learning video game narrative from tabletop RPGs

Game Narrative Tutorial: Portfolios and Writing Tests Summit

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Joe Fielder - 2020 ECGC speaker
Joe Fielder

Joe Fielder

Game Writer & Narrative Designer, Freelance

Beyond Bandersnatch: Applying Game Narrative Lessons to Writing Interactive Media

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Jonathan Munoz - 2020 ECGC speaker
Jonathan Munoz

Jonathan Munoz

Business Development Manager, Genvid Technologies

Breaking down the barriers between Player and Viewer: The history, evolution, and future of Viewer Participation

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Michelle Clough - 2020 ECGC speaker
Michelle Clough

Michelle Clough

Writer/Editor/Narrative Designer, Talespinners

Skin, Seduction, and Story: Writing Sex Scenes for Video Games

Presenting At Conferences: It’s Networking, Too!

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Ryan Hoss - 2020 ECGC speaker
Ryan Hoss

Ryan Hoss

Senior VFX Artist, Deep Silver Volition

Career Lounge Roundtable - Breaking Into the Industry as a VFX Artist

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Toiya Kristen Finley and her dog Cleo - 2020 ECGC speaker
Toiya Kristen Finley

Toiya Kristen Finley

Game Designer, Narrative Designer, Game Writer, and Editor

Game Narrative Tutorial: Portfolios and Writing Tests Summit

The ECGC “Come One, Come All” Narrative Hootenanny

Presenting At Conferences: It’s Networking, Too!

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