2025 Speakers
Roshelle "Ro" Patterson, UX Researcher, Extraordinary Friends
Roshelle "Ro" Patterson (She/Her) is an independent UX researcher, writer, game designer, and Death Doula (in training) specializing in crafting immersive player experiences that explore cultural preservation, environmental justice, and death positivity. Ro has contributed to both AAA and indie games, including 'World of Warcraft: The War Within,' 'Retail Mage' by Jam & Tea Studios, and 'Waves of Jeju' by Old Hara Studios, an in-progress, narrative-driven game that earned an honorable mention from the Unity for Humanity Grant and was showcased at SXSW, and the Hollywood Climate Summit. As a Fellow in the inaugural Take This Accelerate Program, Ro is developing 'Playfully Mortal,' an educational initiative promoting grief literacy and death positivity through gaming. This work advances her mission to transform games into tools for education, empowerment, and meaningful connection by creating spaces that help players explore grief and resilience through play. Ro is a Certified APX Practitioner with AbleGamers, a two-time GDC Conference Associate, and a volunteer with Black Girls Code, where she mentors young women in gaming and technology. Through these roles, she champions accessibility, inclusivity, and mentorship in the gaming industry. She fosters the next generation of creators and uses games as a force for good to inspire meaningful change through play.
