The 2010 Game Developers Conference Canada (GDC Canada) opens today at the Vancouver Convention Center (VCC), taking place from May 6-7. Co-produced by UBM TechWeb Game Network and Reboot Communications, GDC Canada is an event designed for game developers managing established franchises, developing new global titles, and looking to take advantage of new distribution models. Returning after a successful inaugural year, the 2010 convention returns with a new business to business lounge, an expo floor, and a two-day roster of sessions that focus on best-practices that studios should implement to develop successful franchises for consoles, iPhone and digitally distributed titles. Event and registration information on GDC Canada can be found at www.gdc-canada.com.
Bill Mooney, a Vice President at Zynga Studios and General Manager of FarmVille, will present a keynote entitled “Building Social Games: Games at the Speed of Light,” on Thursday, May 6 from 9:30-10:30am in room 109. The address will provide a deeper understanding of the evolving social gaming space and its future, the next business model of the internet, and will touch on the development of Zynga’s FarmVille and Mafia Wars, whose soaring popularity has helped the Facebook-based games attain a more than 85 million active users.
“GDC Canada serves an essential role guiding developers through the sometimes tumultuous path of evolving established franchises, as well as branching out to new and emerging platforms including iPhone and web based social games,” said Izora de Lillard, event director at UBM TechWeb Game Network. “The speakers of GDC Canada represent industry trailblazers who can share best practices in the core areas of game development and can offer honest advice from their experiences on the new frontiers of games. All developers interested in the future of these emerging fields owe it to themselves to take part in the exciting event at the Vancouver Convention Center from May 6-7.”
In addition to the two days of education focusing on the nuts and bolts of game development are a multitude of events and the Game Career Seminar. Taking place on Friday, May 7, the Game Career Seminar offers a place for students and prospective game industry professionals to learn how to build a career in the videogame business with a suite of interactive sessions and networking opportunities. Noted videogame composer, Tommy Tallarico, will be drawing from his years of experience pushing the envelope of game audio and the creation of Video Games Live in his Game Career Seminar keynote, in which he will be interviewed onstage by Electric Playground Host and executive producer, Victor Lucas.
This year’s event introduces the business to business lounge, supported by Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada, offers a place for attendees to make deals and network with industry business development professionals, fellow developers and tool vendors.
