Austin GDC Program Guide 2008

September 15-17, 2008 A ust i n C onvent i on C ent er • A ust i n , TX WORLDS IN MOTION SUMMIT TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16 Keynote: Google’s First Real Talk on Lively Since Its Debut Mel Guymon (Google) 9:30 - 10:30AM | Ballroom C See page 20 for full description individuals, moving the power of the online platform from the developer to the end user in a drastic new way. Therefore, senior representatives of the online spaces Whirled and Loudcrowd will be joined with a user of their own platform to discuss what has been successful and the challenges they’ve faced together in these unique partnerships. signs of life. Building a successful virtual world is challenging in this competitive landscape, but only half the challenge creators face. Once you’ve built it, how can you ensure people will come? What considerations do you need to make to elevate your virtual world business on a world-class scale? What’s your game plan for world domination? The Future of the Metaverse WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17 Keynote: Dunder Mifflin Infinity: A Case Study in Using Game Mechanics Stephen Andrade (NBC.com) & Rajat Paharia (Bunchball) 9:30 - 10:30AM | Ballroom C See page 20 for full description In-World Advertising Case Study Joe Hyrkin (Gaia Online), Reuben Steiger (Millions of Us) 11AM - 12PM | Ballroom C Advertising in online worlds is an increasingly important part of monetizing games – with possibilities including in-game billboards, contests, and more. In this case study, we’ll hear from the creators of Gaia Online and their advertising partners at Millions of Us, uncovering how in-game advertising works for them, how to reach your audience without turning them off, and all the advantages and pitfalls of advertising in this new medium. Business Use of Virtual Worlds: Case Studies for Conducting Business Victoria Coleman (Samsung Electronics), Michael Rowe (IBM) 11AM - 12PM | Ballroom C Online experiences are becoming increasingly important from an entertainment point of view. But how will enterprise companies utilize this new medium to reach their objectives? In this case study, IBM’s Michael Rowe will discuss the pluses and minuses companies currently face in collaborating, training, and evolving business practices via the virtual world space – delving into the business and productivity opportunities for all firms considering using virtual worlds to work smarter and faster. Moderator: Leigh Alexander (Gamasutra, Think Services), Mic Bowman (Intel Corporation), Victoria Coleman (Samsung Electronics), Jeffrey Pope (NGI), Sibley Verbeck (Electric Sheep) 4:30 - 5:30PM | Ballroom C Where do we go from here? What online/virtual world applications will be built and highly successful in the next few years? This standout final session will include visionaries from the online world space presenting a roadmap timeline on efforts with virtual worlds. Each panelist will provide their ideas for lowering barriers to innovation, and a base analysis for their predictions on the uncertain but enticing future of the metaverse. The State of Facebook/Social Network Gaming Moderator: Leigh Alexander (Gamasutra, Think Services) Frank Lantz (area/code), Shervin Pishevar (Social Gaming Network), Andy “A.T.” Trader (Zynga) 1:30 - 2:30PM | Ballroom C Facebook and social network-based gaming are a rapidly burgeoning market segment. But what’s the reality of making games that fit into the infrastructure of existing social websites? What are the benefits and difficulties with creating social games on Facebook and other sites? The creators of standout Facebook title, Parking Wars, and other notable market experts weigh in. Learn, Network, Inspire all year round with myGDC Utilize Schedule Builder to easily plan, save, & share your schedule Network or request meetings with over 5,000 game industry professionals Access myGDC Vault and gain insight on past sessions The State of Kids Virtual Worlds Moderator: Leigh Alexander (Gamasutra, Think Services), James M. Bower (Numedeon, Whyville), Teemu Huuhtanen (Sulake Inc., Habbo), Chris Waldron (Cartoon Network, FusionFall) 1:30 - 2:30PM | Ballroom C One of the biggest success stories in the online world space are the ones created for kids and tweens, in terms of both funding and user numbers. But what issues are unique with this special audience? What makes them successful? How do you go about designing the virtual space with the young in mind? What is the extent of parental involvement and how are educational elements successfully integrated? Expert panelists will unlock their successful strategies and answers to these unique questions. Microtransactions in North America – Early Lessons from the Pioneers Jamie Cheng (Klei Entertainment Inc.) 3 - 4PM | Ballroom C We all know that microtransactions have arrived in North America, and everyone is watching closely. Klei Entertainment is in the unique position of developing an original North American game in conjunction with the pioneer of this industry – Nexon Corp. How did this relationship come about, and how do we apply what we’ve learned from Korea to North America? The tool you need to optimize your GDC experience. Case Studies: User-Generated Content in Online Worlds Nabeel Hyatt (Conduit Labs, Loudcrowd), Daniel James (Three Rings, Whirled) 4:30 - 5:30PM | Ballroom C This set of two sequential mini-sessions will reveal how a new breed of online worlds allow usercreated content – whether from businesses or If You Build It, Will They Come? Margaret Wallace (Rebel Monkey, Inc.) 3 - 4PM | Ballroom C Virtual Worlds are an ever-growing presence in our lives. At best, they hold great promise for discovering new audiences, new genres and new ways to monetize a community around content. At worst, they are dull, lonely spaces lacking any Austin Game Developers Conference | September 15-17, 2008 | Austin Convention Center | Austin, Texas | www.AustinGDC.net 21 http://www.austingdc.net/wim/index.htm?cid=AGC08_PGWPX2 http://NBC.com http://www.austingdc.net/mygdc/index.htm?cid=AGC08_PGWPX2 http://www.AustinGDC.net

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Austin GDC Program Guide 2008

Austin GDC Program Guide 2008 Contents Conference-at-a-Glance General Information Conference Overview Advisory Board Keynote Speakers Conference Sessions Game Career Seminar Worlds in Motion Summit Austin GDC Events Austin GDC Evening Events Speakers Sponsors & Media Partners Exhibitor Directory Expo Hall Map & Exhibitors

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