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Maximum Games, Walnut Creek, CA, USA

Gold Stevie Award Winner 2012, Click to Enter The 2014 American Business Awards

Company: Maximum Games, Walnut Creek, CA, USA
Company Description:Maximum Games is a boutique video game publisher based in the SF Bay Area. Founded in 2009, Maximum Games currently employs 17 people and recently was named one of the Top 20 Video Game Publishers by NPD.
Nomination Category:Individual Awards Categories
Nomination Sub Category:Female Entrepreneur of the Year – Consumer Products –11 to 2,500 Employees

Nomination Title: Christina Seelye, CEO

Describe for the judges the activities and accomplishments of the nominated entrepreneur since the beginning of July last year (up to 525 words):

Since July 2014, Christina Seelye, founder and CEO of Maximum Games, has propelled her company into a new dimension of success. Signing an exclusive deal with the makers of the ground-breaking Virtual Reality title, Loading Human, is just one of the milestones that punctuates this last year. Leading Maximum Games with tenacity, confidence, and a thorough grasp of the video game industry, Christina grew the company's revenue 173% in 2014, ending the year at an astonishing $11.6 million. She also signed a development deal, putting Maximum Games on the map as not only video game publishers but developers, as well.

Last year Christina nearly doubled the size of her company with the hiring of 8 new employees. Now a group of 17, Maximum Games still retains its small feel, and is able to keep the fresh, young feel of the company alive even in the midst of significant growth. In 2014, the company published its first Steam-exclusive digital download title, expanded business in Latin America, and had its best year ever with online retailers such as Walmart and Amazon. Maximum Games was also named one of the Top 20 video game publishers by NPD research group, had one of their titles (Atlantic Quest) named Puzzle Game of the Year by Game Industry News, and began providing employees with a 401K plan. These accomplishments further highlight the fearless perseverance of Christina, and her resolve in establishing herself and Maximum Games as leaders in the industry.

Though a small boutique publisher, Maximum Games is on par with larger publishers, able to take on projects of any size and scope. This is due to Christina's "adapt or die" mentality. She encourages the Maximum team to take risks. And her hands-off approach to management gives employees of Maximum Games the freedom to do so. This strategy has proven effective in building confident employees who take full ownership of their projects and execute delivery with care and efficiency.

Provide a brief biography of the nominated entrepreneur (up to 125 words):

Christina Seelye serves as Chief Executive Officer of Maximum Games, a video game publishing company she founded in 2009. Christina leads Maximum Games with a wealth of expertise in global software, consumer products, and channel marketing. By Maximum Games' first anniversary, Christina had secured certified third-party publishing contracts from Nintendo of America, Sony Computer Entertainment Association, and Microsoft – all while operating her business out of her home. Now headquartered in downtown Walnut Creek, CA, Maximum Games continues to surpass goals thanks to the dedicated leadership of Christina. Prior to founding Maximum Games, Christina served as President and CEO of Avanquest Software, where she ultimately grew revenues from $8 million to $65 million. She lives in the Bay Area with her husband and three sons.