Reality Panic

Just got back from the joint Ontario Game Summit and GameON:Finance conferences in Toronto. Overall good stuff, though some of the hardcore VC funding stuff was a bit over my head…

I actually opened the Ontario Game Summit (which was focused on exploring how to grow Ontario into game development powerhouse) with a keynote lecture on attributes/characteristics for a strong “cluster”. The five main points I covered were:

1. Fluid workforce (with low risk to move around)
2. Open/sharing community mindset
3. Embrace full diversity of game ecosystem (ie, not just chasing traditional console game space), and takes risks
4. Takes a more holistic/inclusive approach to who is the talent (ie, pros, students, amateurs, hobbyists, modders, artists, etc)
5. Sees games in a larger context (ie, art form, good for society, etc), and not just an engine for more jobs

Mathew Kumar did a good job summarizing the key points over at Gamasutra. I also did a brief lecture on internal vs. external IP during the GameON:Finance portion, but that was mostly a rehash of my Escapist article from last year.

David Edery, the other keynoter, did a great presentation that generated a lot of discussion. And, as a bonus, everyone at the conference got a copy of his just-release book, Changing the Game: How Video Games Are Transforming The Future Of Business.

On the whole, you get the sense that Ontario has a lot going for it, and is poised for lots of success. However, there’s still a feeling of folks talking/thinking too much about it, rather than getting to work and just making it happen.

A few quick shots:

A lot of day1 discussion focused on talent: Laura Jo Gunter (Seneca College), Trevor Fencott (Bedlam Games), Steve Engels (University of Toronto), Bill Kapralos (UOIT) and Dr. Gerri Sinclair (Centre for Digital Media, BC)

Allan Anderson summarizes the province-wide CONCERT consortium, a partnership of universities, colleges and industry across all new media sectors.

Ian Kelso (Interactive Ontario) prods the closing Summit panel into coming up with plans/ideas for moving Ontario forward: Bob Shoniker (Courage Capital), Rob DePetris (Silicon Knights) and Laura Jo Gunter (Seneca College).

Minister of Culture, Aileen Carroll, officially opens GameON:Finance during the cross-over reception.

David Edery (Xbox Live) delivers his dynamic keynote.

Closing out the event, Warren Currell (Sherpa Games), Wojtek Kawczynski (Silverbirch Studios), Jane Pinckard (Foundation 9) and Sheldon Stevens (Fuel Industries) discuss the diverse range of business models viable in today’s marketplace.

Over the past couple of years, Ann DeMarle and her crew at Champlain College have been cooking up quite an impressive cluster of game education, research and development in Burlington, Vermont.

Being so close to Montreal, I had been meaning to pop in over the years, but timing never quite worked out. Ann’s persistence, along with an invite to dine with the state governor, prevailed and I finally made the trip down to a) spend some time with the students in Champlain’s various game degree programs, and b) celebrate the opening of the Emergent Media Center’s shiny new offices.

The EMC is a particularly interesting blend of serious research-driven game development work for external clients, mainly produced by students engaged on a part-time basis. Of particular interest is the UN funded game to end violence against women in developing countries. The team (which is lead by design veteran Heather Kelley) maintains a fascinating project blog - the photos from their recent trip to South Africa are stunning.

Finally, a few quick photos:

Vermont Governor James Douglas during the opening ceremony for the EMC.

Ann DeMarle sings the praise of her students and colleagues

Everyone joins in on the “ribbon” cutting (actually, it was a bunch of wires ;)

Folks flood into the EMC to check out all of the interesting projects.

Heather Kelley’s corner office, with an awesome view of Winooski Falls.

Photo wall of shots from the EMC’s trip to Cape Town, South Africa.

Champlain student and EMC designer Lauren Nishikawa, addresses the guests during dinner.

Been playing a bunch of Castle Crashers recently - mostly solo, but also a little bit of co-op action with my son. He whipped up this awesome interpretation of the gray night:

A budding game artist in the making? I’ll be sure to add it to his game-inspired collection of art.