IGDA honours Sheri Graner Ray

^ Photo from the Women in Games 2004 conference site

Sheri Graner Ray, a Senior Designer with Sony Online Entertainment, is among the winners of this year's Game Developers Choice Awards. From the press release:

Community Contribution Award

Sheri Graner Ray, the world's leading expert on the topic of gender equality in the games industry, has the spirit of community building and improvement ingrained in her life's work. Her dedication to propagating women's issues in the game industry made her a natural pick for the Community Contribution award.

"I hope we can actually increase the number of women in the industry as well as their visibility so they are taken into consideration during game design," Sheri Graner Ray said. "That way we'll start seeing more games that appeal to women which will increase the number of women playing which should finally encourage more women to enter technical computer industries."

In 2004 Ray was recognized by the Hollywood Reporter as one of the Top 100 Most Influential Women in the Computer Game Industry. She recently authored a book, Gender Inclusive Game Design -- Expanding the Market, which ignited conversation about gender biases within the industry. Ray continues advocating for women's issues via the IGDA's Women in Game Development Special Interest Group and the upcoming Austin Women's Game Developers Group.