Kimberly Voll, PhD
About Kimberly Voll, PhD
Kimberly Voll, PhD, serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Brace Yourself Games, bringing extensive experience in game design and player dynamics. She has held various roles in the gaming industry, including co-founding Stray Bombay Company and contributing to notable projects such as the award-winning VR game Fantastic Contraption.
Current Role at Brace Yourself Games
Kimberly Voll serves as the Chief Executive Officer at Brace Yourself Games, a position she has held since 2023. In this role, she oversees the strategic direction and operational management of the company. Her leadership is informed by her extensive background in game design and development, particularly in the areas of player dynamics and interaction.
Previous Experience at Brace Yourself Games
Prior to her current role, Voll worked at Brace Yourself Games in various capacities. She was the Director of Production from 2021 to 2022 for five months and later served as the Head of Studio from 2022 to 2023 for one year. Her contributions during these periods focused on enhancing game production processes and team management.
Education and Expertise
Voll holds a Ph.D. in Computer Science from Simon Fraser University, where she studied from 2001 to 2006. She also earned a Bachelor's degree in Cognitive Science with First-class Honours from the same institution, studying from 1995 to 2001. Her academic background supports her expertise in the psychology of interaction, motivation, and flow, which she integrates into her game design work.
Professional Background
Voll has a diverse professional background in the gaming industry. She co-founded Stray Bombay Company, where she worked as an AI Developer from 2019 to 2021. She also held the position of Principal Technical Designer at Riot Games from 2016 to 2019 and served as an Advisor at the same company from 2019 to 2021. Additionally, she worked at Radial Games Corp. as a Developer, Designer, and Researcher from 2013 to 2019.
Achievements in Game Development
Voll is recognized for her contributions to game development, particularly in virtual reality. She co-created the award-winning VR game Fantastic Contraption, which emphasizes user experience and immersion. Her work has established her as a leading expert on player dynamics and player-to-player interactions, further enhancing her reputation in the industry.