7-8 February, 2025
Adelaide Studios
SAGE ADVICE
Whether you’re a seasoned developer, an aspiring game creator, a passionate gamer, curious to learn more about games, or anywhere in between, our SAGE Advice program of panels and talks has something for you.
Featuring local, national and international industry experts and leaders and SA developers and creatives, these panels cover everything from the history of SA video games and current tech trends, to jobs and education pathways and more, with opportunities and advice for newbies to professionals.
Expand each title to see the panel blurb and speakers, with more still to be announced!
Friday 7 February
Join SA games education experts from UniSA, Flinders University and CDW Studios for an engaging and insightful discussion exploring the diverse skill sets cultivated through a games education and how they apply to various industries. This panel will delve into the larger benefits of studying games, extending beyond the realm of game development.
Speakers
Simon Scales – Director/Instructor, CDW Studios (SA)
Simon is the founder and Director of CDW Studios. He has been working in the industry for over 15 years as an illustrator, environment designer, matte painter & concept artist. Clients include THQ, EA Games, LEGO, Mighty Kingdom, Animal Logic, Warner Bros and TT Games. His focus is now on further developing a world class education facility in Australia.
Dr. Lauren Woolbright – Director of Games Research Lab & Lecturer, Flinders University (SA)
Lauren Woolbright is a Lecturer in Visual Effects and Entertainment Design and director of the Games Research Lab at Flinders University. She is a scholar of game design and environmental humanities with particular expertise in inclusive game design practices. She is interested in representation, both in the games industry and in games as media, as well as how game environments tell stories and evoke emotions in players without relying on language.
Prof. Steward Von Itzstein – Professorial Lead in IT, University of South Australia (SA)
A/Prof Stewart von Itzstein a Professorial lead at the University of South Australia. He researches human-centred design, game design, and narrative visualisation. He has held a range of roles including program director of games, associate head of school, dean of programs, and research scientist in command decision environments at the DST. When not writing bio’s he is playing his favourite games from the Horizon Zero Dawn series and the Assassins Creed series (except that one AC game, you know who you are).
Chair
Sorcha Millican-Nagle – Employer Brand & Industry Relations Manager, Playside Studios (VIC)
Sorcha Millican-Nagle is the Industry Relations Manager at PlaySide Studios in Melbourne, Victoria. With extensive experience in Games as a Service, she has led titles across console, mobile, and PC platforms in Production and Team Leadership roles. Sorcha is dedicated to empowering developers to share and learn new skills, supporting pathways into game dev jobs and bridging video games with other industries
An active industry member, Sorcha mentors in Production, participates in digital communities and speaks at conferences across Australia and New Zealand. She believes in the power of games to enhance everyday lives and build global communities. Sorcha also founded LeadLink, a network supporting underrepresented leaders in Australia, showcasing her commitment to diversity and leadership in the games industry.
Are you an aspiring game developer looking to kickstart your career? Get invaluable advice on navigating the early stages of game development from our panel of industry experts, with topics including securing funding, finding a publisher, building a supportive community and team and more.
Speakers
Goldie Bartlett – Games Investment Manager, Screen Australia (VIC)
With over a decade of experience spanning art direction, tertiary education, and business development, Goldie thrives on collaboration and innovation while supporting others in creating bold, meaningful work, something she is empowered to do in her role as Games Investment Manager at Screen Australia.
Jens Schroeder – Industry and Member Relations Director, IGEA (QLD)
Jens joined IGEA in 2019 after working in various leadership roles in game-related education, including manager of the SAE Sydney campus and Associate Dean (Design Vertical) for Torrens University.
Combining his experience in games, business, academia, management and leadership, Jens is responsible for representing and growing the IGEA’s development members by providing them with a voice to government and industry, acting as the interface between the Australian video game development industry and IGEA and work close with state, territory and commonwealth departments and agencies to the benefit of the industry. In this capacity, he, among other things, organised Australia’s first unified presence at Gamescom, instigated the IGEA mentorship program and was the driving force behind IGEA’s producer course.
Socha Millican-Nagle – Employer Brand & Industry Relations Manager, Playside Studios (VIC)
Sorcha Millican-Nagle is the Industry Relations Manager at PlaySide Studios in Melbourne, Victoria. With extensive experience in Games as a Service, she has led titles across console, mobile, and PC platforms in Production and Team Leadership roles. Sorcha is dedicated to empowering developers to share and learn new skills, supporting pathways into game dev jobs and bridging video games with other industries
An active industry member, Sorcha mentors in Production, participates in digital communities and speaks at conferences across Australia and New Zealand. She believes in the power of games to enhance everyday lives and build global communities. Sorcha also founded LeadLink, a network supporting underrepresented leaders in Australia, showcasing her commitment to diversity and leadership in the games industry.
Ben Kirchner – Business Investment Advisor, Adelaide Economic Development Agency (SA)
Ben Kirchner is a skilled economic development professional with extensive experience in investment attraction and industry development working at the Adelaide Economic Development Agency (AEDA) which is charged boosting business and investment in the city on behalf of the City of Adelaide. With strong connections across state and federal governments and an extensive business network, Ben plays a key role in AEDA’s Business and Investment Team, driving investment opportunities and delivering tailored support to help businesses grow. He also leads initiatives such as those to that help startups who looking to scale and to maximise the benefits of Ten Gigabit Adelaide, Australia’s first 10Gbps fibre optic network. Ben has been a champion of Adelaide’s gaming sector in the city, spearheading initiatives that have strengthened the industry over the past four years solidifying Adelaide’s reputation as an emerging hub for global game development.
Chair
James O’Connor – Games Development Executive, SAFC (SA)
James has worked in the games sector for most of his adult life as a critic, journalist, academic, developer and now Games Development Executive at the South Australian Film Corporation (SAFC). In 2016 he completed a Master’s thesis on player-driven narrative experiences and in 2023 was awarded Best Games Reviewer at the Samsung IT Journalism Awards, otherwise known as The Lizzies.
With Australians spending $4.4 billion on video games and hardware in 2023, and Australian game development studios generating more than $339 million for the economy in 2024, there’s no denying games are serious business! But as with any major industry, it’s not without its challenges. In this panel our experts will examine the trends shaping the industry in Australia and worldwide such as AI and machine learning, explore how developers and games businesses are rising to face emerging global challenges, and highlight the many successes and achievements of the Australian game industry that show how we can best take advantage of the sector’s bright future.
Speakers
Ted Di Nola – CEO and Founder, Stella Maris Games (USA)
Ted DiNola is a game programmer and designer with over 15 years working in games. They have worked in many environments, from large traditional studios, to small indies, and have a broad range of experience as an individual contributor, team leader, studio head, and consultant.
Ron Curry – CEO, IGEA (NSW)
Since joining IGEA in 2008, Ron has played an instrumental role in tackling the emerging issues surrounding interactive entertainment and demonstrating the positive influence of computer and video games in the broader community particularly within the education and health sector. He has sat on many working groups and boards including as an Advisory Committee Member on the ALRC’s Classification Review and on the government’s Consultative Working Group on Cyber Safety. More recently, Ron led the merger between the GDAA and IGEA in 2020 which saw the two associations coming together, ensuring that there was a single unified voice representing the video games industry.
Jon Cartwright – Games Business Development Consultant, Game Consulting (QLD)
Jon Cartwright started making games back in the UK in the 80s, getting titles published while still at school. Over his 25-year career he has worked in coding and production for companies like Big Red Software, Eidos plc, Blitz Games, THQ Studio Australia, KIXEYE Australia, and more recently Commercial Director at Prideful Sloth. Since 2019 he has been an independent game consultant, supporting indie developers and providing training to screen agencies. He was also producer on CONSCRIPT, winner of Game of the Year at the Australian Game Developer Awards 2024.
Kirsty Parkin – Founder and Director, Supaglu (SA)
Supaglu founder and director Kirsty Parkin has been finding careers for screen creatives for more years than she likes to count. She’s seen tens of (maybe even hundreds of?) thousands of showreels, and found jobs for thousands of animators, designers, VFX artists, game developers, modellers, matte painters, layout artists, engineers, producers, art directors, compositors – the list goes on.
Kirsty loves seeing great work. She loves working with people to power their careers, and businesses to power their productivity.
Chair
Jason Imms – Head of QA, Keywords Studios Australia (TAS)
Jason Imms is the Head of QA for Keywords Studios Australia, and Director of Automation at Mighty Build and Test. As a recovering games journalist, he will sometimes come out of hiding to chair the odd panel or host the odd fireside, but you can mostly find him in his beloved hometown of Hobart, Tasmania.
Did you know Hollow Knight was developed in South Australia? Or that the state’s first major game development studio began in the 90s? And that a South Australian company made the best version of a classic Star Wars game? Dive into South Australia’s legendary video game history in this exciting and fun-filled panel discussion, where our experts – including developers who worked on these iconic titles – will share their insights, anecdotes and stories behind some of the best South Australian games ever made.
Speakers
David Kazi – Creative Director, Ember League (SA)
David Kazi is the founder and Creative Director of Ember League, a small Adelaide-based indie studio that focuses on hand crafted and narrative driven original IP games. He has been developing games for over a decade, inspired by a childhood of gaming in the 90’s and keeping alive a deep appreciation for the medium, it’s a huge creative outlet alongside his other IT and business strategy consulting work. David has worked for over 100 organisations around the world in roles across creative and technical roles and still finds game development the most fun and challenging of them all.
David was the Technical Director for Team Cherry on the BAFTA nominated Hollow Knight, which was received with universal acclaim on all of its published platforms.
Dr Mike Cooper – Technical Director, Tantalus South (SA)
Dr Mike Cooper has been hanging around the Adelaide game dev industry for the entire millenium! He started at Ratbag Games in Jan 2000 making racing games, and went on to Krome Adelaide and Six Foot Kid in various technical lead roles on Star Wars games and phone games. He spent seven years teaching Game Programming at AIE, and is currently Tech Director at Tantalus South. In his spare time he makes comics and RPGs.
Damon Reece – Independent Games Writer and Narrative Designer (SA)
Damon Reece is a multi-award-winning writer and narrative designer known for their work on Eternal Strands, Necrobarista, and Hacknet Labyrinths. They will talk your ear off about Metroid Prime so don’t even try it. Seriously.
James O’Connor – Game Development Executive, SAFC (SA)
James has worked in the games sector for most of his adult life as a critic, journalist, academic, developer and now Games Development Executive at the South Australian Film Corporation (SAFC). In 2016 he completed a Master’s thesis on player-driven narrative experiences and in 2023 was awarded Best Games Reviewer at the Samsung IT Journalism Awards, otherwise known as The Lizzies.
Chair
Stephanie Panecasio – Managing Editor, Games Hub (NSW)
Steph Panecasio is the Managing Editor of GamesHub. An award-winning culture and games journalist with an interest in all things spooky, she knows a lot about death but not enough about keeping her plants alive. She is passionate about multi-platform storytelling, and when not at work you can probably find her re-drafting her novel or watching Lord of the Rings (again).
Five South Australian video game developers share their personal journeys, professional experiences, and the creative processes behind their work. Gain insights into some of the diverse career paths within the games industry, learn about the challenges and triumphs these developers have faced, and discover what it takes to succeed in this dynamic field. Whether you’re an aspiring game developer, a seasoned professional, or simply a gaming enthusiast, this panel promises to inspire and inform.
Speakers
David Kazi – Ember League (SA)
David Kazi is the founder and Creative Director of Ember League, a small Adelaide-based indie studio that focuses on hand crafted and narrative driven original IP games. He has been developing games for over a decade, inspired by a childhood of gaming in the 90’s and keeping alive a deep appreciation for the medium, it’s a huge creative outlet alongside his other IT and business strategy consulting work. David has worked for over 100 organisations around the world in roles across creative and technical roles and still finds game development the most fun and challenging of them all.
David was the Technical Director for Team Cherry on the BAFTA nominated Hollow Knight, which was received with universal acclaim on all of its published platforms.
Chantal Ryan – We Have Always Lived in the Forest (SA)
Chantal Ryan is founder + director of game studio We Have Always Lived In The Forest, where she leads development of the award-winning darkwebSTREAMER. She has a BA(Advanced) in Anthropology & English, is a member of The Game Awards Future Class and was the 2022 recipient of the Game Creator of Color Award. Chantal also founded the international Women Leaders In Games network, was recognised as one of South Australia’s 40 Under 40 and spends her spare time running around forests giggling.
Jonathan Korvach –Toasterface Games (SA)
Jonathan Kovarch is a creative professional with over 10 years of experience in media and emerging technologies. He is the founder of Toasterface Games, a studio dedicated to creating engaging and beneficial video games that use technology to inspire, motivate, and encourage players of all ages to lead healthy, curious lifestyles.
Arthur Ah Chee – Cerulean Creative Studios (SA)
Arthur Ah Chee is a First Nations Game Developer and Digital Content creator. He has worked in the industry for a little over half a decade, working in all the disciplines of interactive digital media. Arthur focuses on engaging content with the goals of making memorable experiences and telling worthwhile stories wherever he can. Arthur is happy to meet anyone who is up for a chat, and he would love to hear from you too.
Lauren Nicholls – A Few Dragons (SA)
Lauren Nicholls is the artist, animator and creative handyman of A Few Dragons, who recently released their first game, The Sacred Acorn. In the past Lauren has worked as a freelance artist, graphic designer, and on an animated TV show.
Chair
Chris Button – Editor, GadgetGuy (SA)
Chris is the award-nominated Editor of GadgetGuy. Coming from a video game and corporate comms background, he has also written for GamesHub, Kotaku Australia, Byteside, GameSpot, and Junkee. Based in Adelaide, Chris is an avid sports fan and has a mischievous silver tabby cat named Billie.
Saturday 8 February
One of Australia’s leading game development companies, Big Ant Studios opened their first Adelaide offices in 2023 and have since grown to become one of SA’s largest games sector employers. This panel will delve into what Big Ant looks for in new recruits, highlighting the skills and qualities that make candidates stand out. Learn about the advantages of working in a large, collaborative team and how it fosters creativity and innovation, and discover the role that bigger studios play in shaping the Australian game development ecosystem.
Speakers
Mark Bracken – COO, Big Ant Studios (SA)
Mark Bracken is a video games veteran with 34 years in the industry. In the 1990s he founded and managed the highly successful Impact Interactive and Impact Interactive Publishing businesses. His companies lead the way for local content, including distribution of DogDay, one of the first PlayStation games to be developed in Australia.
He became Vice President of Marketing and Business Development at Ratbag Pty Ltd, South Australia’s first independent video games developer and publisher. Mark brought a great deal of success to Ratbag, closing deals with some of the world’s largest video game publishers, including, Sony, Activision, Ubisoft, Konami, and Atari.
Mark is currently COO of Big Ant Studios, one of Australia’s largest most iconic sports developers with a proud history in delivering fan-favourite experiences across premium global sports franchises. A passionate long-term thinker that can craft a vision and execute global strategy, Mark has demonstrated repeat success, a testament to his pioneering spirit and his dedication to the entertainment software industry.
Kirsty Parkin – Founder and Director, Supaglu (SA)
Supaglu founder and director Kirsty Parkin has been finding careers for screen creatives for more years than she likes to count. She’s seen tens of (maybe even hundreds of?) thousands of showreels, and found jobs for thousands of animators, designers, VFX artists, game developers, modellers, matte painters, layout artists, engineers, producers, art directors, compositors – the list goes on.
Kirsty loves seeing great work. She loves working with people to power their careers, and businesses to power their productivity.
Chair
James O’Connor – Game Development Executive, SAFC (SA)
James has worked in the games sector for most of his adult life as a critic, journalist, academic, developer and now Games Development Executive at the South Australian Film Corporation (SAFC). In 2016 he completed a Master’s thesis on player-driven narrative experiences and in 2023 was awarded Best Games Reviewer at the Samsung IT Journalism Awards, otherwise known as The Lizzies.
Explore the diverse and exciting career pathways that a games education can lead to and discover how a foundation in games education can be the key to unlocking a multitude of career possibilities. Our panel of experts will delve into how formal education in game development can open doors to various roles within the industry, from programming and design to production, marketing, and beyond. Learn about the different ways these pathways can manifest, the skills and experiences that are most valuable, and how to leverage your education to build a successful career in games.
Speakers
Prof. Stewart Von Itzstein – Professorial Lead in IT, University of South Australia (SA)
A/Prof Stewart von Itzstein a Professorial lead at the University of South Australia. He researches human-centred design, game design, and narrative visualisation. He has held a range of roles including program director of games, associate head of school, dean of programs, and research scientist in command decision environments at the DST. When not writing bio’s he is playing his favourite games from the Horizon Zero Dawn series and the Assassins Creed series (except that one AC game, you know who you are).
Dr Lauren Woolbright – Director of Games Research Lab & Lecturer, Flinders University (SA)
Lauren Woolbright is a Lecturer in Visual Effects and Entertainment Design and director of the Games Research Lab at Flinders University. She is a scholar of game design and environmental humanities with particular expertise in inclusive game design practices. She is interested in representation, both in the games industry and in games as media, as well as how game environments tell stories and evoke emotions in players without relying on language.
Shane Bevin – Lecturer in Digital Media/Screen, Flinders University (SA)
As Lecturer in Digital Media, Shane combines many years of teaching and production experience to bring an industry focus to the delivery of curriculum.
Co-founder of Adelaide animation studio Monkeystack, Shane has spent over two decades working in all areas of digital media production. Shane is a flexible digital artist and producer with clients as varied as Nickelodeon, the ABC, Schneider Electric and others. He is a multi-award winning practitioner with recognition of his work as director, art director and technical director.
Shane has experience in animation project management, render wrangling, 3d production, Virtual Reality production and software management. As the primary technical director at Monkeystack he completed animation pilots, digital games and numerous short films.
Dr Jacqueline Burgess – Senior Lecturer, University of the Sunshine Coast (QLD)
Dr Jacqueline Burgess is an award-winning educator and researcher based at the University of the Sunshine Coast where she is a Senior Lecturer. Jacqueline has delivered various industry workshops and collaborated with large and small video game developers. Her favourite games are RPGs and any Mario instalment where she can play and win as Princess Peach.
Chair
Sorcha Millican-Nagle – Employer Brand & Industry Relations Manager, Playside Studios (VIC)
Sorcha Millican-Nagle is the Industry Relations Manager at PlaySide Studios in Melbourne, Victoria. With extensive experience in Games as a Service, she has led titles across console, mobile, and PC platforms in Production and Team Leadership roles. Sorcha is dedicated to empowering developers to share and learn new skills, supporting pathways into game dev jobs and bridging video games with other industries
An active industry member, Sorcha mentors in Production, participates in digital communities and speaks at conferences across Australia and New Zealand. She believes in the power of games to enhance everyday lives and build global communities. Sorcha also founded LeadLink, a network supporting underrepresented leaders in Australia, showcasing her commitment to diversity and leadership in the games industry.
Discover the diverse opportunities available in the games sector for those with a creative background, and learn how to leverage your artistic talents to succeed in the gaming world. Our panel of experts will discuss their unique pathways into game development, highlighting how their artistic skills and experiences in animation and art have seamlessly transferred to their current roles in the gaming industry, from art and design to animating trailers. Whether you’re an aspiring artist, a student of animation, or simply curious about the intersection of art and games, this panel offers valuable insights and inspiration from professionals who have successfully made the leap.
Speakers
Bill Northcott – Co-Founder and Co-Director, Half Giant (SA)
David Smith – Co-Founder and Co-Director, Half Giant (SA)
Before co-founding Half Giant, David’s 13-year animation career traversed through advertising, visual effects, and games. As a studio specializing in game trailers and cinematics, Half Giant ensures that each production reflects the unique essence of the game, leveraging their expertise to craft compelling narratives that resonate with both publishers and players alike, offering invaluable insights into the intricate art of capturing attention in the competitive gaming industry.
Rose Swincer – 3D Artist, Mighty Kingdom (SA)
Ditte Wad Andersen – Little Banit (SA)
Ditte Wad Andersen (Little Bandit) is the solo indie developer of The Troll and the Witch’s House. Her background is in design for animation, having worked on a range of projects in advertisement and TV. She enjoys a wide variety of games, but highlights The Case of the Golden Idol (2022) as well as The Dark Eye (1995) as some of her favourites.
Chair
James O’Connor – Game Development Executive, SAFC (SA)
James has worked in the games sector for most of his adult life as a critic, journalist, academic, developer and now Games Development Executive at the South Australian Film Corporation (SAFC). In 2016 he completed a Master’s thesis on player-driven narrative experiences and in 2023 was awarded Best Games Reviewer at the Samsung IT Journalism Awards, otherwise known as The Lizzies.
Five South Australian video game developers share their personal journeys, professional experiences, and the creative processes behind their work. This event offers a unique opportunity to gain insights into the diverse career paths within the games industry, learn about the challenges and triumphs these developers have faced, and discover what it takes to succeed in this dynamic field. Whether you’re an aspiring game developer, a seasoned professional, or simply a gaming enthusiast, this panel promises to inspire and inform.
Speakers
Katie Abela – Stellar Advent (SA)
Katie Abela is the Co-Founder and Creative Director at Stellar Advent. She has produced the artwork for both of the company’s released titles Frontier Quest and Lucie’s Potager, as well as two educational games developed for online learning platform Legends of Learning. She is now currently in the early stages of developing a third title. Her favourite game is Alan Wake 2.
Jonathon Anderson-Wills – Jonniemadeit (SA)
Jonniemadeit is a passionate indie game developer from South Australia. In 2024, he won the SAGE Elevate Award for his fun platform game called Uncle Unco. This game was inspired by his niece and nephew and features a cute, fluffy character. Before that, in 2022, Jonnie created a spooky game named Don’t Let Him In, which became very popular online. Now he is getting ready to release a new adventure game called Plumbo, where players control a chewed-up, plum-flavored gumball working in a pin factory. Jonnie loves making games that are both fun and artistic.
Euan Wynne-Jones – Hell Byte Studios (SA)
Euan Wynne-Jones is the Director of Hell Byte Studios, leading the team to create high-quality, engaging experiences through a passionate, hands-on approach. In addition to his studio and business management work, he uses his skills as a level and set designer to craft environments that tell stories in the Blood Reaver universe. Outside of Hell Byte, Euan has also worked with We Made A Thing Studios and Golden Age Studios since entering the industry in 2023.
Onnie Chan – Founder, ADA Labs and Women in Creative Tech (SA)
Onnie Chan is the Founder and Director of Women in Creative Technologies (WiCT), a not-for-profit organization dedicated to empowering women in the creative and tech industries. With extensive experience in artistic direction and immersive media, Onnie has led innovative projects that merge art and technology, showcasing her ability to deliver impactful and inclusive initiatives. Recognized as the winner of the 2024 Women in Innovation Award for Social Impact and a 2017 Art Fellow at Yale University, Onnie continues to inspire and advocate for women in the creative industries.
Johnson Nguon – Big Ant Studios (SA)
Johnson Nguon is a Junior Environment Artist at Big Ant Studios. He as been with Big Ant Studios since the opening of their Adelaide studio in 2023, and has formerly worked as an Industrial Designer. His favourite game is a JRPG from the PS1 era, Suikoden II, and is currently grinding ranked in Marvel Rivals.
Chair
Chris Button – Editor, GadgetGuy (SA)
Chris is the award-nominated Editor of GadgetGuy. Coming from a video game and corporate comms background, he has also written for GamesHub, Kotaku Australia, Byteside, GameSpot, and Junkee. Based in Adelaide, Chris is an avid sports fan and has a mischievous silver tabby cat named Billie.
Discover the many diverse and rewarding career opportunities in the games industry that extend beyond traditional programming and design roles. This panel brings together industry experts who have carved out successful careers in specialist areas such as rigging, narrative design, QA, UI/UX design, and more. Learn about the unique pathways these professionals have taken and the specialised skills they bring to the table, and gain valuable insights into the many different roles that make up this exciting industry.
Speakers
Sarah Elliot – Rigging & Art, Dino Rocket (SA)
Sarah has been working in games for seven years across many different disciplines including 2D art, rigging and animation, as well as 3D rigging and pipeline. One of her favourite games is The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. (She hasn’t actually finished it yet because she is too busy exploring). Sarah is currently working at Dino Rocket on Kadomon: Hyper Auto Battlers.
Francis Warner – Narrative Design, Mighty Kingdom (SA)
Francis Warner arrived in the games industry in Australia following a career in the film industry in Los Angeles. He has spent 10 years in games, starting out as a producer and spending the last four years as a narrative designer, and eventually narrative lead. The game he is currently working on, Star Trek Lower Decks: The Badgey Directive, won Best Storytelling at the Pocket Gamer Mobile Games Awards. His favourite games are The Unfinished Swan and any game that doesn’t require him to have the manual dexterity of a 16-year-old.
Nathan Pana – Senior UI Artist, Playside Studios (SA)
Nathan works as a senior UI artist at Playside studios. Previously he has worked for advertising agencies, tech startups, as a freelancer and as a UX/UI director creating designs for everything from financial advisors to medical software. His favourite game of all time is Hades.
Lucie Migne – Senior Producer, Mighty Games (SA)
Lucie is a French-Australian former hydrographic surveyor turned Quality Assurance Analyst at the dawn of the pandemic. In her current Senior Producer role within the Mighty Build and Test leadership team, she bolsters a team that teaches bots to play in-development games for testing purposes. In her spare time, you’ll often find her playing Pokemon Go, board games or cross-stitching with a cat on her lap.
Chair
Jason Imms – Head of QA, Keywords Studios Australia (TAS)
Jason Imms is the Head of QA for Keywords Studios Australia, and Director of Automation at Mighty Build and Test. As a recovering games journalist, he will sometimes come out of hiding to chair the odd panel or host the odd fireside, but you can mostly find him in his beloved hometown of Hobart, Tasmania.
