Jane Whittaker Honored with Prestigious Aurora Award at PocketGamer Connects

London, UK, 21 January 2026, Athena Worlds are delighted to announce that their CEO Jane Whittaker has been awarded the prestigious Aurora award at the key industry event at Pocket Gamer Connects. Aurora: Celebrating Women in the UK Games Industry has announced its 2025 award recipients, recognising 10 women whose work has made a significant and sustained impact across the UK games sector. We are delighted to announce that Athena Worlds CEO has the privilege of being one of the 10 recipients, being honoured for her lifetime achievement in the video games industry, alongside 9 other incredible industry achievers! Jane Whittaker has been recognised with an achievement award for her 46 years service in the videogames industry, both as a developer and publisher with companies such as Electronic Arts, Atari and Metro Goldwyn Mayer, along with being a developer of iconic hits such as Alien Vs Predator (Atari). The award recognises Jane for being one of the 10 awardees “shaping the video games industry” Jane was lauded for her creative leadership, with the award win citing “her four-decade career includes genre-defining titles and pioneering technical systems, alongside senior leadership across major global studios.” “I am totally blown away to receive this prestigious award”, says Whittaker, “I am deeply humbled and honoured to take my place alongside nine very talented women in the games industry as part of these awards. These are simply amazing people who do so much for our industry.” Jane is currently leading the Athena Worlds team as CEO, in the creation of “Codename Xeno”, the much-requested personal sequel to Alien Vs Predator, a survival game based around a whole new IP, already referred to in the press as “redefining the genre”. Codename Xeno utilises groundbreaking behavioural AI, created by Jane, continuing her pioneering of new technologies, for which she has been awarded. ABOUT ATHENA WORLDS: Athena Worlds is the coming together of some of the world’s finest minds and most experienced developers in the creation of open world gaming, character AI and 3D graphics. The company focuses on simulation via its Athena Simulations brand in addition to RPG, open-world, strategy and exploration games under the Athena Worlds label and commercial simulation under the Luminaries brand.