Current Position and Responsibilities
Michael Jackson serves as the Worldwide Head of Business Development for Amazon GameLift Services, a specialized division within AWS for Games. His leadership role focuses primarily on game server hosting and game streaming solutions, driving strategy, go-to-market (GTM) initiatives, and sales for AWS’s GameTech offerings. Based in Austin, Texas, Jackson manages cross-functional teams that collaborate with public and private sector partners to advance AWS’s footprint within the gaming industry. His portfolio includes responsibility for business development initiatives and strategic positioning of cloud solutions tailored for multiplayer game infrastructure and streaming technology.
Professional Experience and Background
Michael is a seasoned professional with extensive expertise in cloud technology application in the gaming sector, evidenced by his ongoing stewardship of Amazon GameLift, AWS’s dedicated game server hosting service. His leadership facilitated critical projects such as the migration of Apex Legends to Amazon GameLift servers in just 10 days, underscoring his capability in orchestrating complex deployments and driving rapid adoption of AWS’s game infrastructure solutions. He contributes regularly to the AWS for Games Blog, co-authoring posts on game development trends, tools, and industry insights alongside other AWS leaders.
Industry and Technical Focus
Jackson’s purview spans cloud-based game development, including game streaming, multiplayer session hosting, and the integration of AWS cloud compute and storage services to optimize game performance and scalability. His role involves engaging with cutting-edge solutions such as AWS Graviton2 Arm64-based instances and working closely with partners like Epic Games, highlighting his focus on seamless interoperability between cloud technologies and popular game engines like Unreal Engine. He is actively involved in promoting AWS AI and machine learning solutions for gaming applications to enhance game development pipelines and live operations.
Education and Network
Educational credentials include a degree from Southern Methodist University. He maintains a broad professional network with over 500 LinkedIn connections, reflecting extensive industry relationships and influence within the gaming and cloud technology communities.
Location and Connectivity
Michael Jackson is based in Austin, TX, a significant tech hub fostering innovation in cloud computing and gaming technologies. His local and global engagements place him at the nexus of technology development and industry partnerships critical to AWS’s gaming strategy.
Recent Contributions and Public Engagements
- Announced and commented on Amazon GameLift achieving support for 100 million concurrent users per game, signaling a landmark in AWS gaming infrastructure scalability and reliability.
- Actively hires and leads teams focused on game streaming product management, indicating ongoing expansion and innovation within AWS’s gaming services portfolio.
- Has led initiatives bridging public health and U.S. elections technology with cloud solutions during earlier AWS roles, showcasing a breadth of experience in managing technology in high-compliance environments.
This profile identifies Michael Jackson as a pivotal leader in AWS’s gaming cloud infrastructure business development, uniquely positioned to influence gaming industry's adoption of scalable, cloud-native game hosting and streaming technologies.
