Leading female developer headlines RVA Global Game Jam

Creator of the acclaimed “Depression Quest” will discuss her experience.

January 22, 2014; 6:00 AM • by Nathan Cushing

Award-winning video game developer Zoe Quinn will deliver the keynote speech and act as the artist-in-residence at this weekend’s RVA Game Jams’ gathering for the 2014 Global Game Jam, a 48-hour worldwide game development event.

Based in Boston, Quinn designed 2013’s Depression Quest, a critically celebrated game wherein users play as a person suffering with depression. Not only did the game win awards within the game industry, it earned praise from mental health experts for its depiction of the illness. The game also helped establish Quinn as a leading female game developer, one of few females in the industry.

Previously, Quinn designed games Crystal Crashers, Hitler or Lovecraft?, and Jeff Goldblum Staring Contest, among others.

In 2012, Quinn co-founded the Toronto-based nonprofit Dames Making Games, which fosters female developers through events and instructional series.

Through a joint effort between RVA Game Jams, which formed in 2012 to foster Richmond’s community of game developers, and VCU departments of Kinetic Imaging, Communication Arts, and Art Education, Quinn will join local developers this week from January 24th – 26th at 804RVA during the Global Game Jam to discuss her insights and experience working as an independent game developer.

Global Game Jam participants will develop new games around a specific (yet unannounced) theme within 48 hours. Richmonders interested in taking part in this year’s Global Game Jam are encouraged to register online.

The Global Game Jam takes place on January 24th – 26th. RVA Game Jam will hold the local meet up at 804RVA, located at 1657 W. Broad Street. Quinn’s keynote takes place on Friday at 6:00 PM and is free and open to the public.

January 22, 2014 6:00 AM 0