LivePitch Brings Developers and Publishers Together at the Austin Game Conference

by Louis Bedigian

Game developers and anyone aspiring to be the next Miyamoto should attend the upcoming Austin Game Conference.  Executive Director Christopher V. Sherman tells us why.

After the recent blackout we found some strange things scattered around the office – keys, ink ribbons, a copy of ‘NSYNC’s last CD, etc.  As if that weren’t creepy enough, someone replaced my screensaver with a collage of Liza Minelli, Nick Nolte and Michael Jackson.

Hidden underneath my desk was a journal.  I don’t keep a journal, and neither do any of the reviewers, so I didn’t feel guilty taking a peak.

July 30

Our many months of experimentation have finally paid off.  In one week we will finally be able to strike.  Soon the world will know of our initiative.  No one can stop us from taking over!

August 8

Tragedy!  How could this happen?  Independent game developers are going to meet with big publishers at the Austin Game Conference.  Hits are being created.  The future is filled with entertainment!

August 14

Not feeling well.  Need food, need help.  Send now.

August 15

Can’t find food so ate dog.  Food.  Itchy…  Scratch…  Itch…

We have no idea what that last part means, but we believe his other comments were referring to the upcoming Austin Game Conference.  The Austin Game Conference was started by the Austin Game Initiative and is dedicated to bringing game developers and publishers together.  Once united, if the publisher falls in love, it can propose to the developer.  Then they can start a family of their own and have litter of great games running around the house.

Always interested in game development news, GameZone spoke with the Austin Game Initiative’s Executive Director, Christopher V. Sherman.

In other news, there’s still no sign of the journal’s author, but we did find a zombie rotting in the closet.  Coincidence?

 
The Austin Game Conference.  Who is it for, who should attend, and why should gamers be interested in it?

Christopher V. Sherman: LivePitch is for game developers who have a project/game they are looking to get published and are looking for a publisher.  Console, PC and MMOG developers can participate.

What makes the Austin Game Conference different from all of the other game conferences out there?

CVS: We believe we complement the big industry events by putting on a Conference that has deep coverage across a very focused agenda. Because we're independent we have spoken to a wide range of advisors and industry veterans and we've been overwhelmed by the amount of support and enthusiasm we have received. All the speakers have years upon years of experience in their fields and were carefully selected by the advisory board.

We decided to make the event as affordable as possible - $95 vs. $1800 - so that anyone can attend and travel costs would not be as much of an issue. Austin has a deserved reputation as a great place to visit, the creative heart beats very strongly here across a wide range of disciplines - music, film ...and game development of course...

Can anyone attend the Austin Game Conference, or is it only open to those who have a connection to the industry?

CVS: The conference is open to anyone who has an interest in game development.  The rate is only $95 - we wanted to make it affordable.  The price is only $65 for students.

Tell us about LivePitch.  How does it work, and how does it give developers a venue for showing off their games to publishers?

CVS: LivePitch allows unsigned developers to get in front of publishers at the conference. It is free. All a developer has to do is apply at LivePitch.com. We then forward their application to our publisher participants who then review who they want to meet with one-on-one at the conference. We schedule the meetings and make it happen. It's great for developers because if you've got something interesting you can score several meetings at the show and save yourself a lot of time and energy flying all over the country pitching [ideas] by doing it all in one place [at the Austin Game Conference]. Number of publishers participating will ultimately be determined by the quality and quantity of developers participating.

Is the Austin Game Conference strict with its LivePitch applicants?  What criteria must be met?

CVS: Publishers want to see something.  Not just an idea.  Ideally a developer must have a demo they can show publishers.  Anyone can of course apply but without something to show it is unlikely that a publisher will want to set up a pitch meeting.

Thus far, how many developers have applied for LivePitch?

CVS: I don't have the total number since some applications come in through LivePitch.com and others come through Criterion Software, our LivePitch partner.  35+ at the moment.  Applications are being accepted until Sept 1.

Are LivePitch participants mostly independent developers, or have any established developers signed up?

CVS: Both.  Many are independent but others are established development studios with major titles - in some cases major franchises under their belt.  But keep in mind publishers each have their own agenda.  Some may be looking for a particular established skillset while others may be looking for a specific genre or platform title.

 

Which publishers are planning to participate in LivePitch?

CVS: It’s too early to tell.  Number of publishers participating will ultimately be determined by the quality and quantity of developers participating.  We have interest from quite a few, including a publisher from Japan who is looking for domestic games to take to the Japanese market.

The Machinima Arts and Sciences sounds exciting.  Creating movies with real-time game engines – very impressive!  How does that process work, and who all is involved with it?

CVS: The Machinima Theater will showcase dozens of machinima films.  Machinima is the convergence of filmmaking, animation and game development. By combining the techniques of filmmaking, the flexibility of animation production and the technology of real-time 3D game engines, Machinima makes for a very cost- and time-efficient way to produce films. The Austin Game Conference will be showcasing the latest Machinima films throughout the conference.

More details about Machinima can be found at http://www.machinima.org/

Who selects the keynote speakers and how are they chosen?

CVS: The keynote speakers were selected by the Advisory Board.  They were chosen based upon their track record, their ability to lead not only successful development products, but teams [as well].

Where do you think the future of independent game development lies?  Do you think indie developers have the power to move ahead and succeed just as indie filmmakers have?

CVS: I think we're going to see some exciting activities in the indie game community.   There are many opportunities for success for indie developers and these will continue to proliferate - online games, wireless (mobile phone) games, handhelds (Palm, etc...), new platforms, the resurgence of classic and classic-style gaming.  As the industry grows the opportunity will continue to grow.  If you've got a great idea, the talent and the persistence, there is opportunity.

Thank you for your time.