Back in 2009, I visited Brazil for the first time for SBGames. It was easy to be in awe of the amazing Rio de Janeiro, and I learned a tremendous amount about the emerging Brazilian market. This time, I went to the sprawling city of Sao Paulo for a creative industries conference hosted by SESI (an industrial/social services institution).

It was a fascinating event that spanned across sectors such as fashion, design, film, urban planning, etc. I was on the game panel, and was there to make the case that games simultaneously represent a massive business/economic opportunity AND are a valid medium for artistic expression and culture. Based on getting mauled after the session, seems my points resonated (or at least piqued the curiosity) of the eclectic audience.

Also, spent time with local devs and definitely got the sense of the shift towards mobile/social type models versus just three years ago when devs were convinced they’d make the next Halo level blockbuster and export it to North America and Europe.

Prior to Brazil, I warmed up (quite literally) in Monterrey, Mexico, to run a game biz workshop for the Monterrey Interactive Media & Entertainment Cluster. The focus was very much on taking an iterative approach to discovering product/market fit (inspired by Lean Startup processes). This was my first time in Mexico for work, and was a pleasure to connect with the local talent.

Now, some pictures from the combo trip:


View from my hotel window in Mexico.


Workshop teams working on their MVP definitions.


Visiting the offices of Playful Play and Render while they were doing a belated Easter Egg hunt in the backyard.


The Governor’s Palace Museum.


Inside the Palace’s courtyard.


Around the corner, the church of Sagrado Corazon.


“La Lagartera” sculpture art thingy at the start of the Paseo Santa Lucia river-walk.


Bridge of some historical significance that I can’t recall…


Cool bamboo graffiti along the river-walk.


Iconic building in Monterrey.


Distant view of Cerro de la Silla (Saddle Hill).


Impressive fountain with the decommissioned foundry in the background.


Inside the Fundidora park and science museum.


Looking into the guts of the old foundry.


View of Monterrey from the Mirador del Obispado lookout point.


The Obispado church at the top of the hill.


View from 15th floor of the SESI office in the Jardins area of Sao Paulo.


A talk on sustainable fashion by Annegret Affolderback (Choolips).


Enrique Avogadro discusses the creative clusters in the city of Buenos Ares.


A panel discussion on contemporary art.


Charles Landry discusses the effect of urban planning on creativity and innovation.


The Blade Runner-esque angled SESI building.


Massive comm towers were everywhere!


The Canadian consul welcomes the game community to the Canadian Consulate in Sao Paulo.


Ian Kelso (Canadian Interactive Alliance) chats with local devs wrapped in the Canadian inspired decor.


Out for dinner/drinks with Brazilian game developers :)