James-Richard "J." Eckert Nearly 20 years in the gaming industry across Publishers and Devs (EA, Riot Games), gaming technology (Genvid, Xsolla, Chia), and hardware (ASUS) and more, has given J. a deep expertise across the myriad of disciplines he's worked in, to help support the latest generation of early-stage game creators. He specializes in Business Development, Publisher Relations, Developer Relations, Operations, and early-stage founding principles... the disciplines that help determine whether promising games make it to market and sustain long-term. Over those years in those roles, he has built up an extensive network of industry connections across every imaginable discipline, enabling him to match-make your team with the ideal business connections, or potential mentors and advisors, for your leadership.

J. has also built and advised early-stage startups firsthand, so he understands the resource constraints and critical decisions you're facing. He's also a Mentor in the IGDA Indies SIG, a long time gamer, photographer, and avid Maker, as well as a Board Member/Treasurer for a Non-Profit running the Las Vegas Hackerspace/Makerspace, SYN Shop. Additionally, he's versed just well enough in coding to be a danger to himself in his free time, and an avid contributor to many Open Source projects.

linkedin.com/in/jeckert

Erika Olsen Erika is a production specialist who has worked at top publishers (Microsoft/Xbox, Humble Bundle, and Google/Stadia) and developers (Riot Games). They have an eclectic background, with projects ranging everywhere from Indie to AAA size games, to platform security features, live events, merchandise, and recruiting. They can support you through the full game development and publishing life cycle, provide publisher-level build and GDD feedback, help you work with publishers and vendors, guide milestone planning, and more!

With 12 years in the industry, Erika started as a production assistant for the VO recording of BlazBlue Chronophantasma and has since worked their way through the production ladder at Riot Games, Google, Humble Bundle, and Xbox. She's also a regular public speaker (GDC, PAX West, SLICE, etc.) and mentor (Gameheads, IGDAF, WIGI, QWE, etc.), and serves on the Board for GGWP, a Non-Profit focused on supporting women and other marginalized voices in the industry. She's also occasionally lent their voice to music tracks (Hisako’s theme in Killer Instinct, Evelyn’s theme in League of Legends, and the Clash theme in League of Legends). That part she'll throw in for free just because it’s fun. ;)


linkedin.com/in/erikamolsen/