Worlds, Inc.
Professional Biography
Dave Gobel is Chairman of the Board and founder of Worlds Inc. Under Gobel's leadership, Worlds Inc. has been responsible for a number of revolutionary products, including Worlds Chat( and AlphaWorld(. The company's software enables true social computing by allowing users to interact in shared 3-D environments delivered on standard PC's connected by regular phone lines.
As well as providing broad strategic vision and guidance, Gobel is actively involved in the ongoing evolution of Worlds' technology suite. He also works closely with Worlds' Government Division, helping the Information Superhighway become a reality.
Prior to founding Worlds, Gobel was one of the founders of Knowledge Adventure, a top publisher of edutainment multi-media. As Vice President of Licensing and Business Development, Gobel was responsible for shaping Knowledge Adventure's strategic direction. Additionally, Gobel secured key partner and established relationships with such firms as Random House, HarperCollins, Revell/Monogram, IMAX, Turner Broadcasting, Ogilvy & Mather, Times Mirror, Hammond Inc., and Simon & Schuster (Paramount Publishing).
Gobel was responsible for supervising Knowledge Adventure's early Macintosh efforts and managed all licensing negotiations and intellectual property issues. He is named on all current patents pending at Knowledge Adventure.
Gobel secured exclusive licenses to many key properties including several top IMAX movies, and, with Roger Holzberg, started the world's first interactive film group. He served as Executive Producer of "The Discovers" (nominated for three interactive Academy Awards) and executive producer of "Speed" (nominated for best interactive documentary).
Previously, Gobel was President of Office Systems Services, an international microcomputer infosystems consulting and training company that successfully marketed a number of computer application and networking seminars. During this time he authored several books for Que/Macmillan Publishing, including the bestsellers Using OS/2, Using Magellan, and Using Quatro. Gobel also served as Technical Editor for Using 1-2-3, Special Edition and Using PC-DOS.
In addition, Gobel worked with Lotus Development Corp on the award winning Magellan project, where he was involved with interface development and was also responsible for the development of the Magellan help system; served as Vice President of Lamarian Systems' Microcomputer Consulting Division; co-founded Eastern Business Machines, an Inc. 500 Company; and began his career with IBM in the Field Engineering Division.
He has delivered lectures in many forums, including Digital World, Digital Hollywood, and Multimedia World.
Gobel can boast being the father of two of Worlds Inc.'s most demanding beta testers. He is a member of Mensa and currently resides near Washington, DC.