Program Launch
GameMentorOnline launched in beta phase in March 2009. We continue in beta phase for the next several months with our student-only protégé format. At the point we reach alpha phase, non-students will also be able to sign up as protégé. Watch out for occasional bulletins with updates on how to become a mentor or protégé. We look forward to your participation and feedback!

Program Instructions
Are you ready to become a mentor or protégé? While GameMentorOnline is currently in beta phase of development, we are already signing up interested mentors and protégé. Please carefully read and follow the appropriate GameMentorOnline Instructions to sign up today.
Need help?
If you have any questions, or experience any issues in your mentor or protégé account sign-up, please contact wigsig @ igda.org.



Download Flyer (PDF)
GameMentorOnline
IGDA Women in Games, in partnership with Women in Games International, is presenting GameMentorOnline, the first-of-its-kind online mentorship program for the international games industry.

Designed to serve students and young professionals, men and women alike, GameMentorOnline has been developed to meet the growing need for peer-to-peer mentorship support in games.

PROGRAM
GameMentorOnline is a free service, open to mentors and student protégés in all disciplines of games business and development. GameMentorOnline is powered by a turn-key mentorship matching solution that enables multiple options for protégés when selecting their mentor of choice. GameMentorOnline has been created to carry the mentorship relationship through key milestones to an eventual outcome.

PROTÉGÉS
GameMentorOnline is currently open to student protégés only. Protégés must be students in college, university, or post-graduate studies. The program will be opened up to professional protégés in late 2009.

MENTORS
The biggest challenge for GameMentorOnline and any similar program is the ability to attract and maintain committed mentors. Experienced members of the game trade are being asked to consider dedicating themselves to a minimum of one protégé relationship per year. By meeting this goal, we contribute to strengthening the games industry as a whole, and give back to a community that needs our support.

SPONSORS
GameMentorOnline is generously supported by title sponsor Microsoft Game Studios, with additional support from premier sponsors Design, Direct, Deliver and Sony Online Entertainment.

PROGRAM COMMITTEE
GameMentorOnline is directed and managed by a volunteer committee of game industry professionals. If you are interested in participating in the committee, contact gamementorline @ igda.org.

Fiona Cherbak
VP, Business Development, GameX (Games & Media Expo)
Partner at ThemePark Studios

Karen Clark
Sr. Project Manager, EA
Chair, Mentoring Program, Women in Games International (WIGI)

Susan Gold
Course Director at Full Sail University
Chair, IGDA Education SIG
Founder, Global Game Jam
Director, Game Program Review

Marque Pierre Sondergaard
Developer Relations, Imagination Technologies
Chair, IGDA Mobile Gaming SIG

Anne Toole
Game Writer and Narrative Designer, Writers Cabal
Chair, Mentoring Program, IGDA Women in Games SIG

Emma Westecott
Games Research Fellow, University of Wales, Newport
Organizer, Women in Games Conference U.K.

Sponsorship
We are continually seeking sponsorship support for GameMentorOnline, both cash and in-kind. IGDA Women in Games and WIGI are offering blended marketing benefits to a limited number of year-round sponsors. Your sponsor funds help us maintain, customize and upgrade GameMentorOnline. Contact wigsig @ igda.org for more info.

TITLE SPONSOR
Microsoft Game Studios is a wholly owned subsidiary of Microsoft Corp. which develops and publishes video games for Windows-based PCs and the Xbox and Xbox 360 video game consoles. It also develops games for the Nintendo DS. MGS publishes games for several Microsoft-owned first-party developers, such as Lionhead Studios and Rare Ltd. MGS has also published games created by third-party developers, such as Bioware and Bizarre Creations as of October 2007.



PREMIERE SPONSORS
Sony Online Entertainment LLC (SOE) is a recognized worldwide leader in massively multiplayer online games, with hundreds of thousands of subscribers around the globe. SOE creates, develops and provides compelling entertainment for the personal computer, online, game console and wireless markets. Known for its blockbuster franchises and hit titles including EverQuest®, EverQuest® II, Champions of Norrath®, Untold LegendsTM, and PlanetSide®, as well as for developing Star Wars GalaxiesTM, SOE continues to redefine the business of online gaming and the creation of active player communities while introducing new genres on various entertainment platforms. Headquartered in San Diego, CA, with additional development studios in Austin, TX; Seattle, WA; Denver, CO; Tucson, AZ and Taiwan, SOE has an array of cutting-edge games in development.

Design, Direct, Deliver (DDD) is a company that provides contracting and consulting services specializing in video game development and improving the customer service experience. After an evaluation of the client's existing products or processes, DDD works with clients to enhance or create new products and processes to help them achieve their goals while increasing their customer satisfaction and bottom line.







G.I.R.L. - Gamers in Real Life - is an initiative to educate women about video games, to positively impact the way females are depicted in video games and to influence content to be appealing to women.









GameMentorOnline is powered by MentorNet
GameMentorOnline is powered by MentorNet
MentorNet, a Presidential Award-winning non-profit organization, is dedicated to helping students in science and engineering succeed by connecting them with professionals in the field for online mentoring relationships. With its focus on women and minorities, MentorNet has matched more than 24,000 students on 110 campuses with professionals at more than 1000 corporations, universities, and government labs. To learn more, visit MentorNet at https://www.mentornet.net/protege/index.aspx

Women in Games is an International Game Developers Association (IGDA) Special Interest Group (SIG).
Opinions expressed do not necessarily represent the IGDA.
Copyright © IGDA Women in Games SIG. All rights reserved.