Joy Makers: Game Designer Jill Wilson Creates Comfort Through Play
Joy Makers: Game Designer Jill Wilson Creates Comfort Through Play
Joy Makers: Game Designer Jill Wilson Creates Comfort Through Play
By Mia Brabham
November 30, 2022
Summary
Jill Wilson, the savvy game designer and current CEO and founder of Robin Games, is one of those people.
Majoring in games at the University of Southern California wasn't an option that existed in 2001, so Wilson studied storytelling through television development instead. Right before graduating, she received a path-altering email from her career counselor.
"My boss at that company secured the license for a Gossip Girl game based on the TV show. He knew that I grew up in New York and that I liked the show, so he was like, 'What should we do with this license?' I was like, 'Oh please, I've got this.'" She later became the head of game development at a company called Jam City, and eventually decided to create a company of her own.
"There are a lot of men in this industry," Wilson states, "But most people don't realize the majority of people who play mobile games are women." According to a 2020 Forbes study, 63% of the mobile gaming market is female and 60% of that group plays daily.
The game provides a competitive edge by offering new item rewards and challenging players to level up through community votes on the best room designs.
Wilson says it's putting our imagination to use that makes her game - and gaming in general - special.
In addition to the calming and relaxation effect games can provide after a long day, Wilson also finds joy in the sense of wonder they offer and the exploration that is encouraged.
Reference
Brabham, M. (2022, November 30). Joy Makers: Game designer Jill Wilson creates comfort through play. Shondaland. Retrieved January 9, 2023, from https://www.shondaland.com/live/a42088734/joy-makers-game-designer-jill-wilson/