ABOUT VEDA

Veda Cruz is a creative, entrepreneurial video game lawyer from Miami, driven by her passion for game development and the well-being of the developers behind the games we love. She is deeply interested in how play can boost both personal and societal wellness, blending her love for games with a focus on personal growth. 

Veda kickstarted her career as in-house counsel for a large award-winning game developer and publisher, working on everything from development deals to intellectual property and privacy across PC, console, and mobile platforms. Now, she shares that experience by teaching video game law and business at the University of Miami to both aspiring and seasoned game developers. 

She received her Bachelor of Arts in creative writing and political science with minors in theater, economics, and international relations; her J.D. with a concentration in business, innovation, law, and technology; and her MBA with a concentration in marketing at the University of Miami, where she also served as a start-up venture consultant at The Launch Pad at UM. She has helped both new and experienced entrepreneurs develop their business ideas into legitimate ventures, consulting them on the best ways to market themselves and their company while still maintaining a sustainable business model and avoiding legal trouble.

She is a regular volunteer at the Game Developers Conference, where she strives to make legal and business issues in the video game industry digestible and fun for game developers.

A Certified Scrum Master with a zeal for production and game jams, she also loves making games and sharing them on itch.io, including her debut game, ZoomieDash! She is a video game history enthusiast and loves collecting retro games and consoles. Street Fighter II Turbo is her favorite arcade game, and Chun Li is her all-time favorite character across all video games. She is a huge Bruce Lee fan, too.

Offline, you can find Veda kicking and grappling at the dojo training in taekwondo and jiu-jitsu, then unwinding with a good book or some creative writing. Her commitment to physical and mental resilience inspired her to become a certified personal trainer and nutrition coach, founding Mana & Muscle to help game developers thrive and enjoy a lifetime of creative fulfillment.

Admitted to practice in

•    Florida

Education

•    Juris Doctorate

University of Miami School of Law

•    Master of Business Administration

Miami Business School

•    Bachelor of Arts

Creative Writing and Political Science

University of Miami

Community and Volunteer Work

•    Conference Associate, Game Developers Conference

•    Team Captain, Extra Life for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals

•    ESL Volunteer Teacher, Frisco Public Library

•    Community Mentor, Amir Satvat’s Games Community

Veda regularly speaks about video game topics, ranging from legal and business considerations to motivational talks about her journey into the games industry. If you'd like to get in touch for any speaking opportunities, please reach out by clicking here!