Track Descriptions
Track 1
Creativity and Technology: Building the framework for innovative gameplay
Creativity and innovative technology remain the key building blocks of the inventive gameplay central to continued industry advances. As technically sophisticated solutions are integrated into the game creation process, the opportunity to expand the market-to new consumers and new geographic markets-opens yet wider. Eye-toy, voice recognition, and dual screen and multi-function handhelds are examples of what can come from the powerful mix of art, craft, and inspiration.
This year's Creativity and Technology track will look at the ways creativity and technology combine to invigorate gameplay: How are game developers taking advantage of Blue Tooth, GPS, and cameras in the wireless space? What do today's popular game characters tell us about content that will find traction with gamers tomorrow? How do you measure and calculate the level of fun in your game (and then how do you increase it?) What will come of intelligent genre bending and blending-what has worked in the past and what's being tinkered with now?
Track 2
Business Strategy: Navigating new avenues of success
As consumers reshuffle their media preferences, games continue to migrate further up the entertainment food chain. Less TV and more games is a mantra that has prompted advertisers, retailers, investors, and game creators to seek ways to harness the power and standing of today's game industry. But while sophisticated methods to leverage the strength of games as a medium are being developed, challenges await the first movers and strategic-minded entrepreneurs intent on creating new business models in the game industry.
The Business Strategy track will look at how the game industry is managing change-both for itself and its new array of consumer entertainment partners.
Topics this year will include new trends in licensing; why venture capital is rushing in to support wireless ventures (and how to tap it); how deals in today's ultra-competitive game space work; and how smart developers and publishers are prepping their teams (and bank accounts) to manage costs associated with developing for new consoles and new handhelds.
Join executives from large publishers, independent studio heads, and entrepreneurs new to the game space as they share their knowledge and experience of what's working best in the business trenches.
Track 3
Marketing Analysis: How to read the market-ahead of the competition
With investors and analysts taking growth for granted, marketing departments are under increased pressure to deliver more astute and accurate assessments of product performance. Bottom line: reading the marketplace has never been more important.
As predicting hits and gauging franchise and sequel potential of one's game becomes more central to today's business agenda, user testing, target marketing, community marketing, and sponsorships have moved center stage and are viewed as essential to the economic success of a game and franchise.
The subject of how these tasks are completed and how new sets of goals are reached forms the central theme of this year's marketing track. Among the questions to be asked in the Marketing track are: How do publishers predict hit games? How do developers integrate information from user metrics and research into a game's content? What marketing techniques are working with today's consumer? Who is the new mass market and how can they effectively be reached?
Top analysts and marketing executives take attendees inside the new world of game marketing. Hear how research and statistics are helping the industry prepare for and predict the future.
E3 Workshops
As the game industry grows and the pace of business quickens, the appetite for profit increases. Knowing which business practices lead in the direction of success is key to the growth and survival of your company. This year, E3 opens its three-day conference program with a series of workshops and special luncheons designed to make you a more competitive player in the game industry-now, and over the next 12-24 months.
E3 workshops will address the most significant trends and business practices in play today-and will provide attendees with access to the industry's top creative and business leaders who will speak directly to those topics.
This year's sessions will focus on:
- How publishers judge a game's franchise potential
- How big games can come from small budgets
- The story behind the biggest deals between Hollywood and the game industry
- Downloadable content: who wins, who's left behind
- The present state of pitching: how good ideas and publishers connect
- Mobile technology: how to take advantage of new and upcoming handset technology
In addition to workshop sessions, three catered luncheon presentations will give top industry executives and creative talent an informal forum to talk about their experiences in the industry and their view of the future.
Join us for a day of workshops and luncheons designed to educate your mind and upgrade your business strategy.
