Laralyn McWilliams

Laralyn McWilliams (born 25 February 1965 in Vicenza, Italy) is an American game designer and video game producer.

Laralyn McWilliams
Speaking at the 2019 Game Developers Conference
Born (1965-02-25) 25 February 1965
Vicenza, Italy
Occupation(s)Video game designer, Creative director, Video game director
PartnerCharlie Hatley

She was creative director for Free Realms, a massively multiplayer virtual world for teens and 'tweens. In 2010, she was recognized by Massive Online Gaming as one of the most influential people in MMOs,[1] sharing the #1 slot with Sony Online president John Smedley. Citing her role as both designer and as spokesperson for Free Realms, she was "instrumental in building awareness, visibility, and interest.".[2]

McWilliams was lead designer, producer or game director for games for Disney and DreamWorks. She was also lead designer for Full Spectrum Warrior at Pandemic Studios, and worked with John Singleton and Snoop Dogg on the canceled game Fear & Respect.[3]

McWilliams was listed as one of the Top Women in MMOs in 2010,[4] and was also one of the Gamasutra 20 for Women in Games.[5] Laralyn wrote a post-mortem of Free Realms that was published in the April 2010 Game Developer Magazine.[6]

In March 2011, McWilliams left SOE in San Diego.

She has a B.A. in Psychology from Vassar College, and a J.D. from St. Louis University School of Law.[7]

In 2021, McWilliams' enduring legacy in the game industry was recognized by her peers with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 21st Game Developers Choice Awards, which recognizes the career and achievements of a developer who has made an indelible impact on the craft of game development and games as a whole.[8][9]

Game credits

Laralyn's game credits list is partially listed on the site MobyGames.[10]

References
  1. Kale, Doug (12 May 2010). "MOG's Top 20 Most Influential People in MMOs List". Archived from the original on 28 December 2010.
  2. Aihoshi, Richard (20 July 2009). "The Top 20 Most Influential People in MMOs". Archived from the original on 25 July 2012.
  3. "Gamesauce Fall 2010". 2010.
  4. "Beckett Celebrates Top Women of MMOs". Archived from the original on 8 October 2009.
  5. "Women in Games: The Gamasutra 20". 2010.
  6. "Game Developer Magazine". April 2010.
  7. "Casual Connect Seattle Advisors". 2011.
  8. "Award Categories".
  9. "Lifetime Achievement Award".
  10. "Laralyn McWilliams on MobyGames".
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