About
The Massachusetts Digital Games Institute (MassDiGI) is a statewide center, designated by the Commonwealth, for academic cooperation, entrepreneurship and economic development across the Massachusetts digital and video games ecosystem.
MassDiGI was conceptualized in 2010 and established in 2011 after a rigorous planning process. Based at Becker College, MassDiGI is the result of creative collaboration among academia, state government and industry, aimed at fostering the growth of the innovation economy in Massachusetts. In addition, MassDiGI is a US Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration (EDA) University Center.
Since starting up, MassDiGI has launched several initiatives that support entrepreneurship and strengthen the talent pipeline between higher education and the game industry. Specific initiatives include the Summer Innovation Program and the Game Challenge – both of which bring student teams and industry professionals from across the region together to work on creative projects in a real game development environment. Numerous other important initiatives have also been rolled out including the Reverse Sabbatical Program, Virtual Production Laboratory, Education Working Group and Data Gathering/Benchmarking Working Group.
Furthermore, MassDiGI has committed to crowdsourcing blog content for The Hive at Boston.com, the Boston Globe’s online site. Authors interested in submitting a potential blog should click here to read the guidelines.
Timothy Loew is Executive Director of MassDiGI. Prior to starting up and joining MassDiGI, Loew, an experienced administrator, held senior positions in business, development and academic planning at Becker College. Before Becker, he worked in financial services and as an independent management consultant to clients in the technology sector.
Monty Sharma is Managing Director of MassDiGI. Prior to joining MassDiGI, Sharma, an respected game industry and technology professional, was co-founder/general manager of Vivox, a voice chat service provider in the games industry with key relationships to EA, Sony, Ubisoft, Nexon, Bigpoint and many others. Before Vivox, he held senior positions at Jamcracker, Novell and MT&T.
The MassDiGI Advisory Board (in formation) is chaired by Becker College President Robert E. Johnson, PhD.
Advisory Board Members include: Jeff Goodsill, VP/GM, Tencent Boston and Stomp Games; Craig Alexander, VP, Turbine; Aaron St. John, CEO, HitPoint Studios; Dave McCool, CEO, Muzzy Lane Software; Helena Fruscio, Creative Economy Industry Director, MA EOHED; Pat Larkin, Director, The Innovation Institute, Massachusetts Technology Collaborative; President Gail Carberry, EdD, Quinsigamond Community College; Dean Karen Oates, PhD, WPI; Michael Cavaretta, Attorney, MBBP and Chair, MIT Enterprise Forum Games and Entertainment Circle; Peter Blacklow, EVP, GSN Digital and President, Worldwinner; and Gordon Bellamy, Director, Business Development and Industry Relations, Tencent Games and former Executive Director, International Game Developers Association (IGDA). Timothy Loew, Executive Director, MassDiGI and Monty Sharma, Managing Director, MassDiGI are ex-officio Advisory Board members.
- Click here to download and read “Getting in the Game: A Plan to Establish the Massachusetts Digital Games Institute” as presented on April 26, 2011.
- Click here to download and read MassDiGI’s “2012 Annual Report” as presented on September 13, 2012.
