Austin Game Dev Micro-Talks

Austin Game DevAustin Game DevMicro-TalksMicro-Talks

v1.0: The Quickeningv1.0: The Quickening

May 19

May 19thth , 2010

, 2010

In a bar

In a bar

What's a Micro-talkWhat's a Micro-talk??• Inspired by the GDC Micro-talksInspired by the GDC Micro-talks• 10 presentations x 5 minutes each10 presentations x 5 minutes each• My name is Kain ShinMy name is Kain Shin

o Games Programmer for 10+ years Games Programmer for 10+ years o Arkane StudiosArkane Studioso Events coordinator for IGDA-AustinEvents coordinator for IGDA-Austino This is my last eventThis is my last evento IGDA-Austin is looking for IGDA-Austin is looking for

replacementsreplacements

Do You BelongDo You Belongin this Room?in this Room?

• What's an Austin Game Developer What's an Austin Game Developer supposed to be?supposed to be?

• What's YOU? What's YOU?

In the Beginning...In the Beginning...• Nobody belonged in this roomNobody belonged in this room• Except for 2 brothers who made games Except for 2 brothers who made games

in a garagein a garage

The Origin DaysThe Origin Days(through Kain's Perception)(through Kain's Perception)

• 1983 – (2004)1983 – (2004)• Work Hard, Play HardWork Hard, Play Hard• Socially ComplexSocially Complex• Time of Their LivesTime of Their Lives• Overworked and UnderpaidOverworked and Underpaid

o making art!making art!o paving roads!paving roads!o Getting a chance to matter Getting a chance to matter

• STRONG sense of CommunitySTRONG sense of Community• Mountain Dew Game Development Mountain Dew Game Development

EXTREME! EXTREME!

The Golden AgeThe Golden Age

And Then...And Then...• Global CompetitionGlobal Competition• Changing IndustryChanging Industry

• Changing Standards of DesignChanging Standards of Design• Changing Production RequirementsChanging Production Requirements• Changing TechnologyChanging Technology• Changing Publisher LandscapeChanging Publisher Landscape

The FallenThe Fallen

After The LayoffsAfter The Layoffs

The SurvivorsThe Survivors(and the newly Risen)(and the newly Risen)

Austin GameAustin GameDevelopment 2010Development 2010

• Smaller StudiosSmaller Studios• Not just about AAA gamesNot just about AAA games• Indie, Casual, and Serious GamesIndie, Casual, and Serious Games• More hats per person More hats per person • Greater fear of being shut downGreater fear of being shut down• Gamers of a wider spectrumGamers of a wider spectrum• Highly Competitive MeritocracyHighly Competitive Meritocracy• Highly experimental with new marketsHighly experimental with new markets• Result of a maturing industryResult of a maturing industry

Intent of these MicrotalksIntent of these Microtalks