Born: c. 1965
Biography:
Kate Edwards (born c. 1965) is a geographer, writer, and content culturalization strategist, most active in information-based cartography and video game content. She has made significant contributions to the fields of geography, cartography, and video game development throughout her career.
Edwards received a B.A. in geography and a certificate in cartography from California State University, Long Beach. She continued her education at the University of Washington, where she obtained an M.A. and PhC in geography.
Edwards spent over a decade working at Microsoft, where she played a crucial role in evaluating and managing geopolitical and cultural content in software products. In 1998, she proposed and founded the Geopolitical Strategy team at Microsoft. As the Senior Geopolitical Strategist, Edwards was responsible for assessing the risk associated with geopolitical and cultural content across all products and locales. She also implemented a geopolitical quality review process for PC and Xbox titles within the Microsoft Studios.
In March 2005, Edwards left Microsoft to establish Englobe, a consulting firm specializing in content culturalization and strategy for the video game industry, cartography, and digital content. Through Englobe, she worked on games such as Dragon Age II and Star Wars: The Old Republic, leveraging her expertise to ensure culturally sensitive and immersive gaming experiences.
Alongside her work in the industry, Edwards has been an active member of the International Game Developers Association (IGDA). She was the founder and chair of the Game Localization Special Interest Group (SIG) within the IGDA and served as a board of directors member for the IGDA Seattle chapter. In recognition of her contributions to the organization and the game industry, she was awarded the IGDA’s MVP award in 2011.
In December 2012, Edwards was appointed as the executive director of the International Game Developers Association, succeeding Gordon Bellamy. During her tenure, she played an instrumental role in supporting and advocating for game developers worldwide. Edwards served as a strong voice for diversity, inclusion, and equitable representation within the gaming industry.
Throughout her career, Edwards has been recognized for her outstanding contributions. In 2013, Fortune named her one of The 10 Most Powerful Women in Gaming, acknowledging her influential role and impact on the industry. In 2014, she was honored as one of the video game industry’s six People of the Year for her significant contributions in the field.
In addition to her professional achievements, Edwards has actively addressed the issue of ageism in the gaming industry. She conceived the 50 Over 50 List, which highlights game developers over the age of 50 and aims to combat age discrimination within the field. The list, first published in 2018, showcases the talent and expertise of experienced developers.
In recognition of her exceptional contributions to the game industry and her advocacy for diversity, Edwards received the Ambassador Award at the 20th Game Developers Choice Awards in March 2020. The award celebrated her past work in the IGDA and her ongoing efforts to support the Global Game Jam.
Kate Edwards stands as a prominent figure in the field of video game development and culturalization. Her expertise and leadership have driven advancements in cartography, cultural sensitivity, and inclusive game design. Through her work, she has created a lasting impact on the industry and has become an inspiration to aspiring developers worldwide.
Awards:
– IGDA MVP Award (2011)
– Fortune’s The 10 Most Powerful Women in Gaming (2013)
– Video Games Industry’s People of the Year (2014)
– Ambassador Award at the 20th Game Developers Choice Awards (2020)