Sparking Innovation
As a seasoned veteran of 15-years in the digital entertainment industry with companies such as Microsoft, Jon has established a reputation for thoughtful insight into successful product franchises as Halo, and identifying outstanding creative talent such as Big Huge Games and Gas-Powered Games and acquiring their products or companies for Microsoft.
Jon Kimmich started his 15+ year career in the digital entertainment industry started as Product Planner for MGS driving pivotal parts of the Xbox conception and software launch. Jon was instrumental in the acquisition of many well franchises for Microsoft Games Studios including company acquisitions such as Bungie Studios, FASA Interactive, and Digital Anvil, and hit game acquisitions including Dungeon Siege by Gas Powered Games, Rise of Nations from Big Huge Games, and MechAssault by Day 1 Studios as well as many internally developed games such as Crimson Skies, MechWarrior 4: Vengeance, Brute Force and Halo.
In June 2004, Jon Kimmich left Microsoft to become Producer and Director of Business Development for Day 1 Studios, and since 2008 has been a strategic advisor and consultant to startups, established developers and publishers in the games industry, as well as individuals or firms seeing to invest in the sector, helping them take their firms from ideas, through funding, to the shelf and beyond.
Jon is also an Adjunct Professor at Digipen University in Seattle where he teaches the business of games and production management, and is an active mentor and angel investor in the Seattle startup community.
Jon Kimmich has provided this Strategic Acceleration engagement for clients as diverse as the TechBA program of FUMEC, and the Washington Interactive Network’s REACTOR games accelerator in Seattle.
In 2012 and 2013, Jon Kimmich was responsible for business process surrounding matchmaking for the Japanese External Trade Organization presence at Casual Connect Seattle (2012) and Game Connection (2013) working in deep collaboration with the JETRO offices in both San Francisco and Tokyo, Japan. In 2014, Jon is again providing matchmaking services for JETRO at Game Connection.
In 2012 and 2013, Jon led delegations of Mexico game developers to the LOGIN Conference (2012), Game Connection (2013) and GDC (2013), coordinating business matchmaking activity.
In 2012, Jon assisted the Washington State Department of Commerce, Enterprise Seattle and Export Washington with business matchmaking for “The Power of Play” conference in Seattle in 2012, 2013 and now 2014, including assisting a delegation of British game developers with meetings in the Seattle Area as well as at the Power of Play Event itself.
Collectively, in the past 3 years, Jon will have facilitated over 800 meetings across more than 50 pre-acceleration and acceleration companies and clients. Some of the notable outcomes include contracts with EA, 6Waves, Mattel, Xbox, Leap Motion, Steam, Kongregate, HeadUp and two completed company acquisitions.
Alexandre Mandryka is a French game designer with 13 years of experience in the video game industry. He managed game design and creative direction at Ubisoft Montreal and Relic Entertainment between 2006 and 2012. With over 20 credited games, Alexandre has participated in the most successful creative teams on brands like Assassin's Creed, Splinter Cell, Rainbow Six, Far Cry, Dawn of War and Company of Heroes.
Since 2012, he has been offering consulting in game design and creative support in the AAA, indie and social space through his company, Game Whispering.
Darlene Duggan is President of the Duggan International Group. She has over 20 years experience in business planning, communications, sales and marketing, international trade relations and strategic initiatives. Darlene Duggan works one-on-one with developers exporting various types of technologies. She helps game companies develop their business plans for funding and as well as bringing the game to market. Darlene specializes in formulating and the implementing the launch strategy, including project management, marketing, publicity, social media plans…and herding cats . Darlene Duggan graduated from Mount Saint Vincent University with a bachelor’s degree in public relations. She completed her certificate in International Trade from George Brown College of Applied Arts & Technology.