Different game lines & even different projects within those lines require different aesthetic choices. An in-depth look at how visual styles are determined in order to deliver the world as written.
Not every Kickstarter funds 500% in its first run, sometimes it takes a relaunch. Get practical advice, key resources, tips for pitching to publishers & learn how to avoid common Kickstarter mistakes.
You have a dream to begin your own game studio, but how does that work? What are the ins/outs of helming a company? What's your mission statement & aim? Listen to owners share their experiences.
You've got a great idea for a game but how do you put together a prototype to find out if it works? First-hand advice on ways to make a game a reality.
The gaming world is a diverse space, but maybe you don't see games that represent your story out there. We'll discuss the importance of blazing new trails in the gaming world to encourage innovation.
Every game has a story. Every story has characters. Heroes are defined by their villains. How do you create compelling, thought provoking characters? Learn how with this panel of experts.
Creating an entire world, stories, NPCs, is a lot of work, but what's it for if the players don't feel connected to it? Learn how to engage your audience & invest them in your game.
Discrimination ordinances, Gamergate, & the expanding Geek culture emphasize the importance of diversity. This is an opportunity to brainstorm how we can make gaming more welcoming for everyone.
Ever wanted to know if you could or should go to college for gaming? Get the answers you want about the education world & how it is connected to the world of gaming.
Working on games is a dream job for many, but what's involved working on your favorite game? Hear how some of the industry pros got started as freelancers, & what they did to succeed.
Tabletop & electronic games are very different, but there are lessons to be learned about each from the other. Join Industry Insiders as they talk about the crossover between these genres.
A discussion of gender representation in gaming art from the early days to our current projects. What has changed & what still needs to change to include visuals all RPG players can identify with?
It takes even longer to raise a child than it does to play through all of Masks of Nyarlathotep, so how do you manage both at the same time? Can you juggle gaming & children & stay sane?
Gaymers have been around as long as gaming has, but they are only now becoming mainstream. Learn about gayming organizations & get involved in supporting equality & diversity in our hobby.
From social media, to podcasts, to blogs, to conventions, and more, we'll talk about all the things you need to be doing to build community around your game, company, or event.
Whether or not you are a member of the Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers Association, SFWA has the ability to help you with expert advice, tools, examples, & community outreach.
How can you make your gaming space more inclusive so that all types of people feel welcome? Industry Insiders discuss concrete ways to build a healthy and robust gaming community.
I Have An Idea For A Game … What It Takes to Get It Published
Summary:
Have a game idea & but no idea what to do next? We'll talk about logistics, the grim realities, ideas on ways to make your game pitch-perfect & the dos & don'ts of licensing & publishing.
Learn the basics of improv comedy & how to use them to enhance your roleplaying games. This is half discuss, half workshop, you'll be playing some improv games with your fellow gamers!
Knowing when your game is "done" is often more difficult than designing it in the first place. Industry Insider's talk about play testing, cost analysis, & publishing considerations.
Discuss the finer points of developing, running & fulfilling a kickstarter. Find out the nitty gritty on what works, what not to do & why you should both participate & do one!
Live action games make up a huge part of the gaming world & yet still very misunderstood. Come & hear about LARPs old & new from across the world & learn about this ever-growing game form.
Building an audience, gathering followers, finding fans can all be very daunting to a new writer or publisher. Learn some tools of the trade on do's & don'ts.
In RPGs the existence of Gods is rarely in contention, but does that mean we take them for granted. Are your campaign Gods just spell providers? Is there more to religion than faith & ritual?
A good way for publishers to get their games into stores is by partnering with distributors. Learn what to expect & what distributors look for when considering a new publisher's line.
Want to get your work published? Learn about presentation, interview skills, networking, use of email & social media as tools, elevator pitches, how to make an opportunity when there isn't one & more!
Kickstarter's business model has changed how publishers approach their trade. Learn what's happening right now from publishers who have built their business around crowdfunding.
In the wake of Gamergate, we'll explore what the industry is doing to help, how women are interacting differently & ways we as a community can support women as leaders in the evolving gaming world.
Celebrate what women bring to the gaming world. How we can change the future for inclusion & equality & what positive things you can do to make the gaming world more diverse.
What's the first step in creating a new world for fiction or gaming? We'll look at the questions you need to answer & the different approaches you can take.