games & mobile forum @ LA Games Conference 2007, presented by Digital Media Wire events..was pretty kewl at least the conference sessions that this blogger Joyce Schwarz, Hollywood2020.blogs.com was able to catch. Here are some of my notes that may give you an insider's view as to what was hot and what was not at the event.
MATTHEW BELLOWS, GM & VP Marketing Floodgate Entertainment gave the keynote on May 22. A self-described suit versus a ponytail in the games field, Bellows is responsible for operations, sales and marketing at Floodgate locted in Boston.
His topic "23 Things Developers Want to Say to Publishers" seemed harmless and well, 'cute' but seemed to really spark audience response/discussion about the current revenue model of games. He opened with #1 Develoeprs really don't like you (publishes) but need you and went on to ask Why does it take a 34 page contract to make a Video Game and then promised that HOT COFFEE -- "Your testers will never find all of our Easter eggs.
PUBLISHERS FROM MARS, DEVELOPERS FROM VENUS -- using the John Gray analogy, Bellows talked about how today's developers have an opportunity to redefine interactive entertainment and change this medium forever.
Following his talk, several developers and 'reformed' publishers asked him about the revenue/business model of games. In general what they were saying was that the 'model is broken' and needs reform. Planning to make 5 to 15 percent net is not enough for most of the audience developers who yearn for the kudos and the cash. Reminded this blogger of the days before the rise of indy film producers back in 1982 - 88 when I just finished my masters in film at USC. Then at least there was Robert Redford's Sundance Institute and several early indies out there to legitimize the new revenue model for film. I was always an indy fan and still am.
Do GAMES NEED A SUNDANCE INSTITUTE? Do games need a Sundance Institute? Is there some place where independent developers can stretch their wings, get grants and begin to gestate the next generation of gaming without losing their shirts or souls? Yes, I know there are many contests and competitions like the GDC Indy games program but where else can you find new games/ new formats/new platforms and new revenue models? Be interesting to see what you readers think about this? Ping me at [email protected]
Is the revenue model for games broken? Discussion following Matthew Ballows, Floodgate, keynote says that it is?
23 Things Develoeprs Want to Say to Publishers was Bellows talk that said publishers are from Mars and Developers from Venus.
Hot coffee --"your testers will never find all of our Easter Eggs" according to Bellows in his keynote at the LA Games Conference 2007.
VIEW FROM THE TOP -- The State of the Mobile Games Industry was moderated by Mike Vorhaus, Managing Director, Frank J Magid Assoc. and included panelists: Mike Breslin, VP Marketing N.A. I-play, Jess Dominguez, Product Manager, Gaming Group, QUALCOMM Internet Services, Maria Pacheco, VP of Marketing Vivendi Games Mobile and Stran Liu, VP Mobile Content Developmeht, The Walt Disney Internet Group
SURVIVING HIGH SCHOOL -- Maria Pacheco from Vivendi talked about the success of the People's Choice Hangman Games and SURVIVING HIGH SCHOOL which is a text based game that offers skins and ties in with Myspace. It has downloadable episodes and even features a sweepstakes. It was one of the most innovative marketing plans that I've seen connected to a mobile game. Plus it certainly shows how you can grow a market virally. Pacheco suggested that Myspace members put SURVIVING HIGH SCHOOL as their 8th friend -- a brilliant move.
For more about Surviving High School go to Myspace.com or see this story I found on the web from GAMESPOT: Surviving High School for Cell Phones - Surviving High School ...
(continued in part two of this post...later...)
