International Game Developers Association Foundation (IGDA-F) appointed former Microsoft Exec Shannon Loftis As the new chairman of the board.
She replaces another fellow Microsoft alumni Edflyafter two years of success leading the organization, he resigns and remains on the board.
After over 30 years of experience in game development at Microsoft and Beyond, Loftis retired in 2022 from running Age of Empires Studio at Microsoft. Promising to include it in the gaming and technology space, Loftis said it will be a valuable addition to the IGDA Foundation’s mission.
After completing his degree in Computer Science and Mathematics from Duke University, Loftis joined Microsoft’s gaming group in 1995, contributing to over 70 games on PC, Xbox and Xbox 360.Motocross madness, Monster truck madnessand Midtown’s Madness),, Project Gotham Racing, Fable series, Viva Piñata Series, and Banjo Kazooie: Nuts and Bolts.
Having moved to a leadership role at Microsoft, Loftis managed teams around the world who were responsible for many of Microsoft’s recent successes. She built Good Science Studio. This laid the foundation and shipped out the Kinect system and many of its titles.
She later led Microsoft’s first-party global publishing team. Recore, Ori, Microsoft Casual Suiteand Flight Simulator. She founded her before retiring from Microsoft. The Edge of the WorldIt is dedicated to award-winning ones The Empire era series. Since leaving Microsoft, Shannon has been active in the industry as a board member, advisor, consultant and mentor.
Loftis’s long-standing commitment to inclusion and connection stems from her experience as the youngest experience in a large family. She is fascinated and passionate about the way technology and entertainment build communities.
“We are pleased to have led this board and worked closely with the Foundation and IGDA,” Loftis said in a statement. “The IGDA Foundation is one of the most comprehensive, cross-sectional, globally relevant and effective organizations in game development, and I think our mission today is more important than ever.”
Loftis served on the IGDA Foundation and AIAS board of directors and co-founded the women of Microsoft’s Gaming Sig alongside Gaming Ross and Laura Fryer.
“I have worked with Shannon since my days at Microsoft. She is a great leader whose industry background and experience is perfect for taking on the role of the chair,” said Ed Fries, now founder. “We are confident that the IGDA Foundation will remain true to its values under her guidance.”
For more information about the IGDA Foundation, visit our official website to stay up to date with the latest initiatives. http://igdafoundation.org And follow @igdafoundation On social media.
The International Game Developers Association Foundation (IGDA-F) is dedicated to promoting inclusion and diversity in the gaming industry by providing opportunities, education and support to individuals in underrepresented communities.
IGDA-F is sponsored by a group of generous industry companies, including Double Fine Production, Stride PR, and Premack Rogers. Since 2008, IGDA-F has now supported over 1,000 alumni who are currently developing games in both AAA and indie studios. For more information, please see https://igdafoundation.org.
As part of the IGDA Foundation Awards, Karen Lawson, daughter of gaming industry pioneer Gerald Lawson, has awarded Muriel Tramis the Gerald Lawson Award for her achievements in game development at the GamesBeat Crossfire event during the Game Developer Conference. Gamesbeat executive Gina Joseph is also on the board of directors of the IGDA Foundation.
