Hispanic Women & Video Game Industry | Kellee Santiago | Talks at Google

TL;DR

Kellee Santiago's journey from games to art.

Transcript

SAL YANEZ: Hi, Kellee. First of all, thank you very much for being here with us. I think your story is very inspirational. And now with Hispanic Heritage Month, it's very useful to hear about your experience. So why don't we start with listening about your story. How did this girl who was born in Venezuela grow up to be president and co-founder of ... Read More

Key Insights

• 🎨 Kellee Santiago's multicultural heritage and arts background influenced her innovative approach to game design.
• 🖐️ USC's interactive media program and focus on storytelling played a pivotal role in shaping Kellee's career trajectory.
• ❓ Kellee Santiago's journey highlights the value of diversity and inclusion in the gaming industry.
• 💇 The transition to VR and AR projects at Google signifies Kellee's ongoing pursuit of storytelling through cutting-edge technology.

Questions & Answers

Q: How did Kellee Santiago's multicultural background influence her journey in the gaming industry?

Kellee's Cuban-Venezuelan heritage and exposure to diverse cultures shaped her unique perspective, driving her to challenge industry norms and embrace creativity.

Q: What role did the academic environment at USC play in shaping Kellee Santiago's approach to game design?

USC's focus on interactive media and storytelling encouraged Kellee to view game design as a communicative medium, leading to the creation of compelling, boundary-pushing games.

Q: In what way did Kellee Santiago navigate the challenges of being a female game developer in a male-dominated industry?

Kellee's experience as an outsider fueled her resilience in facing skepticism and overcoming obstacles, ultimately shaping her into a trailblazer for diversity and inclusion in gaming.

Q: How did Kellee Santiago's transition to working on VR and AR projects at Google align with her passion for storytelling through technology?

Kellee's move to VR and AR reflects her commitment to exploring new frontiers in interactive storytelling, leveraging emerging tech to push the boundaries of artistic expression.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Kellee Santiago shares her inspirational journey from Venezuela to co-founding thatgamecompany.

• Growing up in the suburbs, she pursued the arts, ultimately finding her passion in interactive media.

• Embracing video games as a storytelling medium, she co-created successful titles like "Journey."