Seattle Reign FC Legend: Kiki Wolfkill – Video Game Developer, Executive Producer & Creative Leader

The Legends Campaign, a partnership between Seattle Reign FC and Starbucks, honors women for their extraordinary contributions to our community in the Pacific Northwest and beyond. Prior to Seattle Reign FC’s match against Utah Royals FC on July 7, the club recognized Kiki Wolfkill, a video game developer, executive producer and creative leader. 

Wolfkill has been in the video game industry for nearly 20 years. Her background includes degrees in Chinese history, broadcast journalism and art, as well as experience as a competitive racecar driver. She began her career as a motion graphics and cinematics artist and has since grown into a top figure in the video game industry. 

“I've spent my whole career in video game development and more recently ventured into film and TV. I see myself as a creative leader who thrives in building experiences. I love the intersection of creativity and technology, and I love what that empowers in terms of storytelling. I live to create stories that people can experience in diverse ways.” 

Wolfkill has experience at 343 Industries, Microsoft Game Studios and as an Executive Producer on the digital series Halo: The Fall of Reach, Halo: Nightfall, as well as the Halo Channel experience on Xbox One, PC and mobile platforms. Her past credits include the Project Gotham Racing and Forza Motorsport franchises, as well as Fable, Crackdown, Gears of War, and Mass Effect. 

As a leader in the industry, Wolfkill has become a mentor to many and spends time encouraging girls and women to embrace STEAM fields. 

“I am a huge believer and supporter of getting more women and girls into steam because it's really easy for girls to think that technology and computers is not a path for them. It’s important for girls to understand there’s nothing off limits for them. 

She continued, “I've never considered myself someone who is constrained by the idea of things that I could or couldn't do. Dumbly or not, I will pursue anything that I find interesting and exciting until I come up against a wall. Even then, I try to figure out how to get around or over that wall. I want to be able to fight those same battles on behalf of other people, and particularly other women.” 

Wolfkill has been recognized many times for her leadership in the field, including being named as one of the 10 Most Powerful Women in Gaming by Fortune Magazine. A leader and mentor to many, Wolfkill exemplifies what it means to be a Legend, each and every day. Her advice to young women would be to embrace feeling afraid or unsure about a challenge. 

“You have to both be fearless and embrace the fear, right? It's not about not feeling afraid or feeling the fear. It's about being able to take that fear on and letting it fuel you to keep moving forward,” she said. 

Being honored as a Seattle Reign FC Legend means a lot to Wolfkill, who is no stranger to the world of sports. 

“It means so much to me because, I have an affinity with female athletes. I have so much admiration for what they've been able to do and the discipline, resolve and grit it takes to be a professional athlete. To see these organizations growing and getting the recognition that they deserve is incredible. It's such an honor to be recognized because I know what an impact this team has on people and on girls in particular, and so to be recognized as part of that is really special for me.”