Happy International Women's Day: Celebrating Women in Gaming | Kaser Focus

Happy International Women's Day! Remembering Akira Toriyama, Rooster Teeth closing, and Warner Bros. focusing on live service. Let's celebrate women in gaming.

Happy International Women's Day to all! It's been quite a day and week in the world of gaming. We mourn the loss of Akira Toriyama, the legendary creator of Dragon Ball, and the closure of Rooster Teeth. Warner Bros. is making moves towards live service, leaving many puzzled. But today, let's shift our focus to celebrate the incredible women who have made a significant impact in the games industry.

I've had the privilege of leading Women in Gaming breakfast panels at GamesBeat events, where I've met remarkable individuals who are shaping the future of gaming. Women like Jen O'Neal, Catharina Mallet, Monika Madrid, Perrin Kaplan, Erica Larson, Michelle Torrey, Sarah Anderson, Shail Mehta, Namrata Gandhi, Kamini Tiwari, Jane Hoffacker, and Andrea Rene have all brought fresh perspectives and ideas to the table. I must also acknowledge the amazing women at VentureBeat, including Gina Joseph, Sharon Goldman, and my GamesBeat colleague Jordan Fragen.

On a broader scale, I want to recognize the trailblazing women who have revolutionized the gaming industry. From Roberta Williams and Bonnie Ross to Brenda Romero and Amy Hennig, these women have left an indelible mark on gaming. Let's not forget the talented women in games media like Rebekah Valentine, Carli Velocci, Alyssa Mercante, Gita Jackson, Janet Garcia, Lucy James, and Bailey Meyers, among countless others.

In personal news, I find myself facing a dilemma as I have more games to play than time on the weekend. Will it be a Balatro weekend, a Final Fantasy weekend, or perhaps diving into Helldivers 2? And let's not forget the "undisclosed game I must review" weekend. However, I'm eager to check out the Princess Peach: Showtime demo, my top pick for dark hours in March.

Let's take a moment to appreciate and celebrate the achievements of women in gaming, both past and present. Happy International Women's Day!