Video Game Executive
Greater Los Angeles Area
- Current
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- Video Game Industry Advisor at LA Scholars
- Co-Founder at GamerLive.TV
- Past
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- Advisory Board at GamesBeat2009 Conference
- Managing Director at GCube
- Vice President, Operations-Product Development at THQ
10 more...
- Recommended
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15 people have recommended Shiraz - Connections
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500+
connections
- Industry
- Computer Games
- Websites
Shiraz Akmal’s Summary
Shiraz is involved with advisory, strategic development, consultation and venture business opportunities related to the video game and interactive entertainment industry.
Shiraz spent 9 years at THQ - departing as Vice-President of Operations-Product Development. While there he managed more than 500 staff who comprised the central divisions of THQ's product development organization including: the outsourcing division (XDG), Motion Capture, Quality Assurance, Localization, Customer Service, Music, Engineering and Voice and Sound.
As founder of THQ's XDG, his team has been instrumental (and continues to be) in streamlining and growing the company's global product development capabilities through outsourcing and expanding THQ’s footprint into Asia, most notably spearheading establishment and build out of THQ's China headquarters in Shanghai.
With more than six years as an executive director and a founding member of THQ's Heavy Iron Studios, Shiraz brings 20 years of creative, technical, and operational experience to his endeavors.
Shiraz's career highlights include directing a string of multi million selling video game titles including Disney/Pixar’s The Incredibles, Nickelodeon’s SpongeBob SquarePants, and Scooby-Doo! He was also involved in programming several genre-defining products such as, You Don't Know Jack, The Netshow and the After Dark screen saver. Additionally, his first videogame was published at age 17.
Email or connect with Shiraz at: shirazakmal@gmail.com
Shiraz Akmal’s Specialties:
Startups • Investment • Business Development • Global Product Development. Cross Platform, Multi-Sku Development, Licensor Mngt, Growth Planning • Workflow analysis/improvements • Software Architecture • Problem Solving • Video Game Director • Studio Building • Management of multiple product development teams • Strategic Outsourcing • Evolve and Innovate game development and production processes • Public Speaking
Shiraz Akmal’s Experience
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Video Game Industry Advisor
LA Scholars
(Non-Profit; Computer Games industry)
June 2009 — Present (7 months)
LA Scholars a summer young adult employment program that prepares local college students in Los Angeles for highly coveted jobs in the video game industry. The program supports students that live just a few miles from some of the biggest video game companies in the world get their foot in the door.
With support from the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act of 2009, this program supports young adults from some of Los Angeles’ most underserved neighborhoods, namely South LA, find summer employment in an industry they previously could only have dreamed about joining. -
Co-Founder
GamerLive.TV
(Privately Held; Computer Games industry)
2009 — Present (less than a year)
GamerLive is a leading online provider of videogame, entertainment and lifestyle content, as well as community and interactive services. Comprised of a team of experienced game journalists and videographers, GamerLive delivers the most up to date content on the latest games, platforms and trends.
Shiraz Akmal’s Contact Settings
Interested In:
- career opportunities
- consulting offers
- new ventures
- job inquiries
- expertise requests
- business deals
- reference requests
- getting back in touch
