David (D.S.) Cohen Email & Phone Number

Austin, Tx, Us

Austin, Tx, Us

Austin, Tx, Us

Over 15-years experience working in game production and digital/interactive entertainment with some of the top developers and publishers in the industry. • Continuously passionately pursuing opportunities to make meaningful contributions and growth in the games industry and digital entertainment. • Lead teams and productions from concept to launch in the successful release of console, PC, mobile, and online games, as well as websites, and apps.• Worked with top tier brands and partners from Warner Bros., DC Comics, Fox, Disney, National Geographic Society, Cartoon Network, and more. • Effectively managed relationships with licensors, licensees, creative partners, external studios, publishers, marketing and PR, which insured the highest quality of brand integration while maintaining player experience. • Notable instructor and lecturer in the field of creative leadership and management for the games industry, having co-developed effective academic program, designing curriculum, program structure, and the designing of lesson plans.• Develop flexible production roadmaps, complete with budget, milestone schedule, production and communication pipelines that resulted in quality game content, delivering on time and within budget.• Excellent team and organizational management and communication skills.• Author of the book, "Producing Games" published by Focal Press

El Segundo, California, Us

In the role of instructor, lecturer, and co-developer for post-baccalaureate program focused on leadership and management for the video game industry. Awards: Program project "Roots of Sarkos" - 2nd place for Best Gameplay at 2016 GDC Intel Games University Showcase.• Collaborate in the building and organization of a 9-month academic program involving 20 full-time students, resulting in the simulation of a real-world game development studio.• Design lesson plans and conduct lectures focused on the game production process, structured to provide insight and goals on how to manage and lead teams, projects, and products. • Lead collaborative group discussions and exercises for techniques in cross-team, discipline, partner, and internal/external communication, and ways in maintaining a consistent vision across multiple parties.• Strategize Marketing, PR, and social media plans to promote the DSGA to potential applicants and donors.• Oversee cross-departmental collaboration within UT, and spearheaded game development community outreach.

Pittsburgh, Pa, Us

Managed teams and projects in the development of quality mobile, social, and tablet games, and proprietary game engine.Awards: "Tunnel Tail" – 2013 Silver Metal Winner, International Serious Play Awards; 2012 Serious Games Challenge finalist; 2012 Runner Up Best Digital Game, Meaningful Play "Lionel Battle Train" – 2014 DATA Award Finalist• Developed production roadmaps to meet the goals of the production while releasing on time and within budget.• Managed daily development, using a hybrid of methodologies that best served the teams’ strengths and culture.• Guided cross-communication between engine and project development teams, elevating pressures for both teams through the prioritization of new engine features to best meet the needs and timelines of the projects.• Liaison and collaborator with internal and external parties, bringing teams together so everyone has a clear and concise understanding of vision and process.

New York, Ny, Us

• Composed and Edited articles covering classic video games, game technology, pop culture, and history.• Managed blog, forum, newsletter for classic video game community, events, and promotions.• Oversaw and edited articles and content composed by guest writers.• Worked with Entertainment Software Ratings Board in creating guides to educate consumers.• Provide insight into the inner workings of game development.Colecovision article, "History of ColecoVision - Visions of the Future Through Coleco Colored Glasses" is required reading in History of Games course syllabus at Ex'pression College forDigital Arts - Emeryville, CA

Washington, Dc, Us

Producer of award winning virtual world for children, National Geographic Animal Jam (animaljam.com).Awards: National Parenting Publications Award; About.com Readers’ Choice Award; Life Buzz Award; Mom’s Choice Award• Used expertise in MMO, educational, and entertainment game development to further the National Geographic mission by overseeing original content for the award winning virtual world, National Geographic Animal Jam.• Worked in collaboration with development/publishing partner Smart Bomb Studios to conceive and implement National Geographic in-game content, including mini-games, virtual activities, videos, and ebooks.• Spearhead the Brady Barr experience in Animal Jam, developing a successful cross-company initiative between Smart Bomb, National Geographic Society, and the National Geographic Channel.• Composed grant proposal and developed game concept that was recipient of NSF grant.

Oversaw production on Oddworld relaunch strategy, including the Xbox to PC port of Oddworld: Munch’s Oddysee, the localization of Oddworld back catalog titles, and preparation of The Oddboxx bundle for release.• Brought in to put troubled production back on track, leading to successful completion and release.• Revamped production pipeline and removed bottlenecks which improved efficiency and productivity. • Established a bottom up and top down communication approach, which cleared up confusion and provided critical information to all parties regarding the scope of work, and necessary changes to release on time and within budget.• Identified need, then contracted and managed outsourcing services to fill gaps in internal resources.

Author of monthly game column (Cyberdreams) for English version of top European genre magazine.

Burbank, Ca, Us

Managed development of online social game portal, and downloadable games initiative.• Developed production plan designed to create a smooth workflow of content from development to the live site.• Spearheaded completion and launch of downloadable game tied into "Pirates of the Caribbean Online" experience.

Us

Vision holder, manager, and champion of AAA console title "SAW: The Video Game" published by Konami.• Conceived, pitched, co-designed, and led production of AAA console game based on blockbuster film franchise, gaining the confidence of publisher, license holders, franchise creators, filmmakers, and development team.• Collaborated with franchise creators in the writing of original game narrative deeply tied to the film series overarching story, plus wrote in-game character dialogue, the results of which were highly regarded by audiences and critics.• Worked with ESRB, consultants, and first parties to navigate content sensitivity while meeting audience expectations.

Writer of this introductory guide to video game production; providing insight on overseeing game development, building a team, budgets, scheduling, and everything a producer needs to know to spearhead a successful project and manage a happy and healthy team.SOLD OUT at Game Developers Conference five years in a row.• Used professional knowledge and experience to conceive, author, research, and design content.• Create downloadable content, design, format, and publish online bonus chapters and blog.• Edited copy, content, and layout in preparation for print.

Led project management of marketing and production initiatives on over 30+ Console, handheld and PC/MAC Games. Titles included Justice League Heroes, Batman Begins, The Matrix: Path of Neo, and over 40 other games based on Warner Bros., DC Comics, Hanna-Barbera, and Cartoon Network Television and film IP.• Designed and implement Warner Bros. Interactive's first all-digital approval system, which reduced turnaround times from 30 to 6- days, down to 10 days or less.• Started in game product marketing and PR, overseeing all internal and partner marking initiatives, then transitioned to production, assisting in the production management of licensed and self-published game releases.• Built WB Games first social media presence, and pitched, then spearheaded first San Diego Comic-Con presence, with both initiatives growing into some of the company’s strongest brand presence and recognition.

Los Angeles, Ca, Us

Assisted in the development and execution of television, film, and video game pitches based on comic book properties. Green-lit projects include Cowboys & Aliens; Jeremiah; Martin Mystery; Dylan Dog: Dead of Night.

Master Of Arts (Ma), Interactive Design And Game Development

Bachelor Of Fine Arts (Bfa), Media Arts

Associates Of Fine Arts, Design And Visual Communications