A 2009 MFA screenwriting alum from UT's RTF program, Matthew is an EMMY and BAFTA award-winning veteran of the video game industry. His work is featured in games such as LEAGUE OF LEGENDS, FREE FIRE, Marvel's MIDNIGHT SUNS, SPACE MARINE 2, SILENT HILL, ARCANE, and many others. Character, conflict, and structure create a harmony that powers any piece of storytelling, from video games to episodic content to feature films. He has been writing professionally since 2012.

Vivian Le is an executive strategy leader with deep expertise in audience intelligence, integrated communications, and data‑driven brand building. Her professional focus centers on creating clarity in complexity, translating cultural signals, behavioral data, and market dynamics into actionable frameworks that drive organizational alignment and long‑term growth. She specializes in architecting end‑to‑end strategic ecosystems—spanning brand strategy, media, CRM, digital experience, analytics, and business/operating models—ensuring these functions interlock into cohesive, future‑ready organizational structures.

A 2014 UT RTF B.S. alum, Mario is a seasoned video game producer at Gearbox Software, where he currently serves as a Senior Project Producer, contributing to the development and long-term success of some of the studio’s most prominent franchises, including Borderlands 3, Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands, and Borderlands 4. With more than a decade of experience in the game industry, Rodriguez is known for his leadership in large-scale production, live operations, and cross-disciplinary team coordination within AAA development environments.

Carson Taylor, Senior Product Manager, Monetization & Creator Economy — Epic Games, is a product-focused business leader and technologist with extensive expertise in the gaming, media, and creator‑economy sectors. With more than a decade of experience spanning major global studios and entertainment companies, he currently serves as Senior Product Manager for Monetization and the Creator Economy at Epic Games, where he plays a pivotal role in shaping the revenue systems, developer tools, and ecosystem features that power Fortnite and the broader Epic Games platform. FORTNITE.

Dr. Marina Fontolan is an Associate Professor of Instruction at the University of Texas at San Antonio and an interdisciplinary scholar working at the intersection of game studies, science and technology studies (STS), and media history. Her research focuses on videogame localization, language and identity, global game industries, and postcolonial approaches to digital media. She earned her Ph.D. in Science and Technology Policy from the Universidade Estadual de Campinas (Unicamp), Brazil. Dr. Fontolan has held international research appointments at institutions including the University of Texas at Austin, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Stanford University, Freie Universität Berlin, and Robert Morris University. She is Book Reviews Editor for Tapuya: Latin American Science, Technology and Society and co‑founder of the Mario Schenberg Institute.

Neill Glancy is a veteran interactive creator whose public profile describes a career spanning artist, animator, designer, and creative direction, with 38 years of experience. His credits—cataloged across major industry databases—trace the arc of modern game history from early computer and console eras into contemporary multi-platform development.

Howard Tang (B.A. Advertising 2022) is an accomplished game designer and design director with over two decades of experience in AAA game development. Currently based in Austin, Texas, he has played significant roles in the design and development of major, critically acclaimed titles spanning action-adventure, RPG, and remake genres. Tang specializes in system design, combat design, narrative design, level design, and leading multidisciplinary teams to deliver sophisticated gameplay experiences.
He has been a core contributor to several high-profile PlayStation titles, including God of War: Ragnarök, Demon’s Souls (Remake), Shadow of the Colossus (Remake), and Uncharted: The Nathan Drake Collection. His experience reflects both creative and technical versatility across proprietary game engines and large-scale production environments.

Evan Narcisse is an American video game writer and narrative designer whose work spans AAA games, independent projects, comics, and journalism, with a consistent focus on culturally grounded, character-driven storytelling. He has contributed narrative design and writing to major titles including Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales, Marvel’s Avengers, Redfall, Gotham Knights, and the award-winning Dot’s Home, and currently serves as Senior Writer at Brass Lion Entertainment, the studio behind Wu-Tang: Rise of the Deceiver. Before transitioning fully into game development, Narcisse built a prominent career as a journalist and critic for outlets such as The Atlantic, The New York Times, Time, and Kotaku, a background that informs his thoughtful, socially aware approach to interactive storytelling.

Craig Sherman is an accomplished video game writer, narrative designer, and Chief Narrative Officer, best known for his extensive work across major franchises such as World War Z, Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine II, and Jurassic Park: Survival. He has been credited on at least 16 video games, serving in roles ranging from Writer to Director of Narrative and Chief Creative/Narrative Officer. Sherman began his writing career in Hollywood, creating screenplays for major studios including Fox, HBO, Paramount, and Sony, collaborating with notable producers such as Leonardo DiCaprio and George Clooney. His Hollywood background strongly influences his approach to interactive storytelling, emphasizing cinematic structure, character‑driven narratives, and emotional clarity. In 2012, Sherman joined Saber Interactive, where he has written across an unusually wide range of genres—including horror, action, sports, and licensed properties—and rose to Chief Narrative Officer in 2022. In this leadership role, he oversees story development across multiple simultaneous projects and manages studio‑wide narrative strategy. Sherman advocates for giving each game its own distinct voice and empowering embedded writers to make bold creative decisions. He emphasizes collaborative story development, adaptability, and resisting homogenization across franchise.

Matt McKnight is Vice President of Business Development at Saber Interactive, where he leads strategic partnerships, publishing relationships, and business growth initiatives across the studio’s global portfolio. In this role, he works closely with development teams, licensors, and platform partners to bring large‑scale, cross‑platform titles to market and expand Saber’s presence across AAA, licensed, and original IP projects. McKnight has played a key role in shaping Saber’s business strategy during a period of significant expansion, supporting projects that span console, PC, and emerging platforms. His work includes overseeing deal‑making, evaluating new opportunities, and aligning creative ambition with sustainable commercial models. He has been directly involved in high‑profile releases and remasters, including Ghostbusters: The Video Game Remastered, and has helped guide Saber’s collaborations with major entertainment brands and global partners. [venturebeat.com] With extensive experience at the intersection of game development, licensing, and publishing, McKnight brings a pragmatic, developer‑focused perspective to conversations about the evolving games market. At conferences and industry events, he frequently speaks on topics such as business development strategy, IP partnerships, studio growth, and navigating an increasingly complex global games ecosystem.