Dream Con Honors Icons Transforming the World of Gaming

More and more creators are shaping how stories are told and how characters are represented in gaming. This Black History Month, we’re spotlighting visionaries whose work spans tabletop RPGs, AAA studios and independent development, each redefining what representation and creativity look like in the industry.

Mike Pondsmith

Mike Pondsmith, founder of R. Talsorian Games, is the visionary behind the Cyberpunk universe - the foundation for the blockbuster video game Cyberpunk 2077. First introduced through the tabletop RPG Cyberpunk 2013 and later Cyberpunk 2020, Pondsmith’s “dark future” world helped define the cyberpunk genre for generations of players.

Pondsmith worked closely with CD Projekt Red as a creative consultant on Cyberpunk 2077, ensuring the game remained faithful to the genre. The game went on to sell millions of copies worldwide, expanding his original tabletop vision into one of the largest RPG franchises in modern gaming.

Beyond his success with Cyberpunk, Pondsmith has been honored with the Rick Loomis Service Award from The Academy of Adventure Gaming Arts & Design’s Origin Awards. Previously, he was inducted into the Origins Hall of Fame for his contributions to RPG tabletop design.

Did you know? Pondsmith’s first game, Mekton, was the first American RPG inspired by Japanese mecha manga.

Shawn Alexander Allen

Shawn Alexander Allen is a New York-based game designer, artist and founder of NuChallenger, an independent studio focused on culturally driven interactive experiences. Before launching his studio, Allen worked at Rockstar Games on major franchises including Grand Theft Auto IV and V and Red Dead Redemption.

Allen is the creator of Treachery in Beatdown City, a tactical RPG that blends beat ’em up mechanics with satire and social commentary. The game has earned acclaim from the LA Times, New York Game Critics, and Vice. 

Allen also previously served as a co-organizer of the Game Devs of Color Expo, an annual event dedicated to amplifying developers of color and increasing access to funding, networking and visibility within the industry.

Did you know? Allen cites Key and Peele and Get Out as influences for Treachery in Beatdown City’s socially progressive and dark comedic nature.

Lisette Titre-Montgomery

Lisette Titre-Montgomery is a veteran video game developer and the co-founder and CEO of Cornerstone Interactive, a studio focused on building cinematic, interactive game experiences. With more than 20 years in the AAA space, her portfolio includes work on The Sims 4 and Psychonauts 2.

Throughout her career at studios including EA, Ubisoft and Double Fine, Titre-Montgomery has led multinational art teams and contributed to titles recognized for artistic excellence. She has also been featured by Business Insider among notable women in tech and invited to the White House to participate in conversations around diversity in technology.

Outside of game development, Titre-Montgomery is the co-founder of Gameheads, an organization that equips underserved youth for careers in tech and gaming.

Did you know? In 2016, Titre-Montgomery’s husband customized a “Game Developer Barbie” to better reflect her identity, which turned into a viral moment that sparked conversations about representation in tech and toys.

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