Keynote speaker:
Sam Glassenberg, Funtactix
Sam’s diverse career in the games industry has crossed a variety of disciplines - spanning art, engineering, and management. As Lead Program Manager for DirectX Graphics at Microsoft, Sam managed an industry-leading team focused on pushing the cutting-edge of video game graphics on every consumer gaming PC. A core element of the Windows and Xbox gaming ecosystem, the DirectX platform is leveraged by all modern graphics cards and the vast majority of PC game titles. Prior to DirectX, Sam’s early experience included animation and tools development at a leading game studio (LucasArts) and project management at a leading provider of online services (MSN). At the end of March 2008, after a five-year tenure at Microsoft, Sam moved to Israel to join Tel-Aviv-based game developer Funtactix as CEO. The move was announced two short weeks after Funtactix debuted its first online multiplayer gameplay experiment, www.SliderParty.com, to a local audience in Israel.
Daniel O'ffner, NixonPibody
Daniel Offner is an entrepreneurial lawyer who started his own law firm in 1995 and built it into a five attorney, corporate and intellectual property boutique in Los Angeles, California, that specialized in interactive entertainment and new media. In 2006, Daniel merged his firm with Nixon Peabody LLP, a 750 international law firm, to create Nixon's Interactive Entertainment and Media Team, which he is the co-head of with his old partner, Dave Anderson, from his prior firm, Offner & Anderson. Today, Nixon's IEM team represents THQ, Ubisoft, SciEidos, D3P, Emergent Game Technologies, Trion, IGA, Warner Music Group, LEGO, and ESPN,The IEM Team has also done work for numerous developers such as the creators of Bioschock, the Twisted Metal Series, and others.

Speakers according to lecture order:
Guy Bendov, Codename-Journeys and GameIS
Guy Bendov has more than 14 years experience as the founder, president and CEO of hi-tech companies in the interactive entertainment technologies market.
Guy currently serves as the CEO of Codename-journeys, a virtual world based on travel & lifestyle. Prior to Journeys, Guy co-founde Double Fusion (in game advertising). In addition Guy founded and is chairing GameIs.
Guy was cited in CNBC, the Wall Street Journal, Reuters, CNN and E3 (the good old noisy one).
His blog is here.

Oded Sharon, Corbomite Games (Developer of Zbang) and IGDA
Oded Sharon is the CEO of Corbomite games making two adventure game series : Zbang and Pizza Morgana. Oded has many years of experience in games and previously worked on the Israeli MMORTS Balleruim and for a game publisher in Taiwan. Oded also volunteers as the Israeli IGDA chapter co-coordinator, and created the website “Buy a car for Rob Gilbert”. Oded spends a lot of his time playing games as "Market Research" and communicate through Facebook and LinkedIn.




Yaron Dotan, Invasion Interactive (developer of Rising Eagle)

Yaron Dotan , 33, is one of Israel's pioneer game development entrepreneurs and a long time member of the Israeli high-tech industry. Through the years, Yaron has worked as a software developer in several Israeli companies including: VCON, Pixel and Aladin. In 2004, Yaron and two of his friends decided to create a company that will develop cutting edge computer games and gaming technologies and thus Invasion Interactive was born. Four years later, Invasion Interactive has successfully launched "Rising Eagle" – an unique First person shooter multiplayer game!

Yuval Bayrav, VGames
Senior Editor at Vgames.co.il, the largest Israeli online gaming magazine and portal (est. 1999). Yuval is currently working on his MA Thesis on Computer Games at the Science, Technology and Society program at Bar-Ilan University, and is lecturing at the Game Developers Program at Beit-Berl College.

Dudi Peles,QuizArt
Dudi Peles is the founder and CTO of Pisoft, the developer of the QuizArt skill game platform. Other then QuizArt, Pisoft develops casual games, develops game enabling technologies and provides outsourcing and consulting services in interactive technologies and gaming.
Dudi is a PhD student in the Science, Technology and Society program at Bar-Ilan University, researching computer games, and is in charge of the Israeli computer game research forum.

Ofir Katz,Sandhill Games

A former art teacher in a "Miftan" school, Ofir is the founder and general manager of Sandhill Games - an Israeli developer of casual and online games. For the last 3 years he has been designing most of Sandhill's games and leading a team of 10 talented and creative individuals developing both for customers and their own original IPs.

Jonathan Yalon, The Hebrew Quest
Jonathan Yalon (29) is the founder and the editor-in-chief of the Hebrew adventure game site HebrewQuest. In the years 2004-2007 he co-created (with Ori Wachtel) the independent Israeli adventure game Osher Bli Gvulot ("Boundless Osher"), that was released as a freeware in September 2007, and was downloaded by more than 40,000 Israelis. Jonathan works as a marketing communications manager in a software company.

Ori Wachtel, 26, is the co-creator (with Jonathan Yalon) of Osher Bli Gvulot ("Boundless Osher"), the Israeli freeware quest. He is graduating from the studies of law and psychology in Tel Aviv University, and also heads the social involvement organization HevraTova, which promotes volunteering in Israel.

Renard Gluzman, Beit Berl

Renard Gluzman – coordinator and lecturer in the computer games design and development program at Beit Berl; producer of games, comics and television series, nihilist, postmodernist and drunkard.

Ido Hartogsohn – is a journalist, media critic and media artist who writes about technology and digital culture for major Israeli websites and newspapers..

Ori Hanegby , Pixtazy

Ori Hanegby, co-founder and the technical leader of Pixtazy which developes online multiplayer games. Ori has a broad experience with indie and open source game engines and platforms.

Uri Golan, Pilon Games and Untame

Uri Golan, co-founder of Pilon Games and Untame, is an independent game developer and Flash Actionscript expert working in Israel for the past 11 years. Uri's most recognizable games are the popular online multiplayer games on the ICQ client game center: Zoopaloola, WarSheep, Slide-A-Lama and RPS Online (Rock Paper Scissors). In addition to making games, Uri has created many interactive content projects for AOL/ICQ, lead the development of the Comfy Ltd. online content distribution system and has served as a Flash consultant for numerous startup companies. Ido Tal (16), co-developer and lead programmer of the famous flash game Portal: The Flash Version, based on Valve's hit Portal. Founder of We Create Stuff, and currently working on a new RTS flash project, "?" (working title).

Uri Adoni, JVP
Uri joined JVP and Animation Lab with extensive experience in internet and new media, gleaned from his prior position as the CEO of MSN Israel. During his years of managing the company, MSN Israel was the first MSN worldwide to move to profitability, and has grown rapidly ever since.
During the last six years Uri has been one of the new media pioneers who saw the many stages that internet, mobile and TV went through. Working for Microsoft during these fascinating times, Uri was also part of some major international marketing and business challenges in fields such as search engines vs. Google, instant messaging vs. AOL and Yahoo and many other challenges.
Prior to his work at Microsoft, Uri was a partner and a co-CEO at Geller-Nessis Leo Burnett Advertising Agency, working with leading brands such as Coca Cola, Procter & Gamble, Nokia, Philips and Energizer. Prior to that, he was a senior strategic planner at Fogel-Levin / Ogilvy Israel, working with brands such as IBM, Unilever, Adidas, Philip Morris and others. In both companies he was highly involved in the creative process, working closely together with the creative teams, directors, editors and production houses. His vast experience in advertising and strategic planning, gave him the position of an "evangelist" in the fast growing online advertising market. Uri holds a B.A. in political science from Tel Aviv University, a professional music degree from the Rimon School of Music, and an MBA from Manchester University.



Yoav Tzruya, CMO, Exent Technologies Israel.
As CMO, Tzruya is in charge of Exent's strategy, marketing, business development and corporate development. With more than 15 years experience in software development and marketing, Tzruya is a recognized industry expert in the fields of broadband value-added services and business support systems. Previously, Tzruya was COO of Exent, in charge of managing Exent's global operations, including sales, marketing, R&D, technical operations and new business development. Earlier, Tzruya fulfilled the position of VP Products & Markets Strategy at Exent, responsible for evaluating potential markets, defining product strategy and roadmaps, and leading strategic business development activities. Tzruya joined Exent in 2003, coming from TeleKnowledge, a billing & customer care software vendor. During his tenure at TeleKnowledge, Tzruya held several executive level positions in the areas of product management, sales, marketing and business development. Previously, Tzruya served 6 years with the Israeli Air Force. Tzruya holds a B.S Computer Science and Mathematics (summa cum laude) and a M.S in Computer Science (summa cum laude) from Tel Aviv University

Itzik Ben-Bassat, Media Arcade

Itzik Ben Bassat is the co-founder of 2 Israeli based startups, WebLegions a social media security venture and GameRing a social competitive games service provider. Itzik Recently left Blizzard Entertainment, a leading company in the Vivendi group to return to Israel. As VP of Global Business Development and International at Blizzard, Itzik initiated and spearheaded the company's global presence by creating and implementing business plans that lay the foundation for the company's operations of its blockbuster online game World Of WarCraft and thus Blizzard's evolution from a games studio to a global leading online entertainment company. Prior to joining Blizzard Itzik served as VP of Business Development & Online at Vivendi Universal and Dir. Of Business Development at Exent Technologies. He was also among the founders of Mitos, a leading Israeli e-commerce site. Itzik holds BSc degrees in Economics and Business Management from Tel Aviv University

Michael Rosen, Tacticsoft
Michael Rosen (25), An experienced Flash Actionscript developer for 8 years,
Founder and game designer of Tacticsoft LTD which develops browser-based MMO games.
Its first title - Battle Dawn is being played daily by more than 10,000 players.
Also a student for Mathematics & Music Composition in the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

Doron Friedman, IDC
Dr. Friedman specializes in interactive media, and specifically in various
aspects of virtual reality, and heads the Advanced Virtuality Lab in the
Sammy Ofer School of Communications, in the Interdisciplinary Center,
Herzliya. He is also an Honorary Lecturer in the Virtual Environments and
Computer Graphics Lab at University College London, and has served as a
visiting consultant at the Weizmann Institute of Science
Dr. Friedman was the co-founder of Earthnoise, Inc., and his inventions and
patents are the basis of several other start-up companies. In addition, he
has also collaborated with a number of artists on digital media works that
have been shown at leading galleries in London.

Yesha Sivan, Shenkar College of Engineering and Design & Metaverse Labs Ltd.
Dr. Yesha Sivan is a senior lecture at the Department of Software Engineering. Shenkar College of Engineering and Design. He is also the founder of Metaverse Labs (MVL) - a leading think tank focusing on linking virtual and real worlds. Dr. Sivan is a pioneer and leader of technologies for knowledge infrastructures. His professional experience in the development of innovative workplaces for corporate, hi-tech, government, military and defense environments (see for example: the Harvard 9-Keys for Knowledge Infrastructure). Dr. Sivan received his doctorate from Harvard University, and is a research affiliate in Harvard's Program on Information Resources Policy; he was the entrepreneur-in-residence (EIR) in JVP Venture Fund Studio. He is teaching Metaverse related courses in Afeka College of engineering, Tel Aviv University School of Computer Sciences, and Bar-Ilan University Executive MBA Program. His alter person is Dera Kit, and his blog is http://www.dryesha.com. He published numerous papers in the areas of knowledge, virtual worlds, and standards. His latest book about Virtual Worlds is called "Your Next World: Second Life as an introduction to the Metaverse."


Hanan Gazit, Israeli DiGRA Israel(Digital Games Research Association) Chapter| VR.Tech Worlds Ltd.

Dr. Hanan Gazit (VRider) is theserves founderas ofthethe Israeli DiGRA Chapter promoting the DIGRA's (Digital Games Research Association) Chapter.vision and goals in Israel. A researcher, lecturerlecturer, blogger and owner of a start-up company specialized in delivering services for Israeli companies and& organizations interested in using digital games and virtual worlds such as Second Life for business, marketing & instruction. His research interests include: Virtual worlds & Video games interactions; Designing effective Serious Games; Skills acquisition & Virtual/Real World transfer; Using computerized tools for analyzing interactions. Dr. Hanan Gazit Holds a PhD degree in the Learning Sciences and a Magna Cum Laude M.A degree in Science Education both from Tel-Aviv University. Dr. Gazit is a former post doctorate fellow researcher at LIRT Lab, the Institute for Interdisciplinary Applications of Computer Science, CRI. Dr Gazit was recently invited to serve on the Global Advisory Board of the Association of Virtual Worlds. He thinks that ""The Future of the Web 3.0D Virtual Worlds for training & instruction of the Y-Generation is here" and that "We are in the middle of the Video Games and the Metaverse revolution. This revolution potential for the Y-Generation, our future working force, currently not fully understood, is waiting to be unfolded."

Adi Ashkenazi, Vyond

Ilan Graicer, Funtactix