IGDA appoints Dr. Jakin Vela as executive director

The International Game Developers Association announced it has appointed Dr. Jakin Vela as its new executive director, succeeding Renee Gittens. It’s also added three new members to its board of directors.

Vela was previously interim executive director after Gittens stepped down in January, and was manager of global development before that. He is also CEO of Astral Interactive LLC and principal advisor of MagiTech Management Solutions LLC. As executive director, he plans to prioritize support systems for developers in emerging markets, building partnerships, and creating a sense of solidarity among the global gaming community.

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Rachel Kaser

Rachel Kaser is a gaming and technology writer for from Dallas, Texas. She's been in the games industry since 2013, writing for various publications, and currently covers news for GamesBeat. Her favorite game is Bayonetta.