Microsoft & PopCap bolster IGDA Casual Committee

Representatives from Microsoft, PopCap and Sandlot have joined the committee of the IGDA’s Casual Games Special Interest Group.

Cherie Lutz, manager of business development at Microsoft Casual Games; Jared Nieuwenhuis, VP of global marketing at Sandlot and Rex Sikora, director of channel programs at Popcap all join the committee, as well as independent Dave Rohrl.

The Special Interest Group aims to help developers share ideas and methods to better create and market casual games, as well as promoting initiatives to stimulate growth of the casual games space.

The SIG is currently planning to launch quarterly webinars with expert panels discussing important topics, drafting suggested standards for digital rights management on casual games, and starting an industry-wide dialog around advertising standards and their implications for all players in the casual games domain.

"We’re very pleased to have such seasoned professionals join the Steering Committee to help lead these important initiatives,” said Jason Akel, chairperson of the IGDA Casual Games SIG.

“The commitment and expertise of the new and returning Committee members will help us to deliver great results across the board and further accelerate the visibility and growth of the casual game industry.”