GamesU 2009 · Schedule

Friday, November 6th, 2009
9:00A

Welcome to GamesU! by Doug Daulton

Welcome to GamesU! We'll spend a few moments talking about the goals of GamesU, now and in the future.

10:00A

The Value and Necessity of Organized Roleplaying by Joshua J. Frost

Come ask Paizo Publishing's Events Manager, Joshua J. Frost, questions about why organized play adds value to your store, your gaming group, your product line, or your convention. As the campaign coordinator for Pathfinder Society Organized Play, Frost is uniquely positioned to answer any questions you may have about starting, running, and tracking an organized play system.

11:00A

Game Design Workshop by John Wick

Bring an idea and leave with a game! Learn the theory behind roleplaying games, the basics of RPG design and setting creation and how to avoid the pitfalls of both print and electronic publication. Whether you're an aspiring game designer or just a fan of the hobby eager to know more, this is the workshop for you. So bring your ideas, your notebooks, your enthusiasm and your brain!

NOON

LUNCH BREAK
2:00P

Know Your Audience by Marcelo Figueroa

Details forthcoming.

3:00P

Pitch to the Pros by Boyan Radakovich

Origins Award-nominated game designer, Boyan Radakovich, walks you through the process of submitting your board game prototype to publishers for publication. Valuable information for the aspiring game designer.

4:00P

Women in Gaming with Jess Hartley, Juliet Meyer & Monica Valentinelli

Are women, as an audience, the holy grail for game designers? The emergence of "casual games" in the computer/console markets is a direct result of those developers targeting female consumers. This panel will discuss ways to apply the same focus to tabletop games.

5:00P

Real World Radiation Toxicity in Game Design by Andrew Chang, M.D.

Dr. Chang is a physician who treats people with radiation as well as being a gamer. Both GMs and Game Designers will be interested in this overview of how and why radiation toxicity occurs in the real world and how one might apply this knowledgee in the design and application of meaningful game effects.

Saturday, November 7th, 2009
9:00A

Gender Issues in Game Design by Boyan Radakovich

The recent growth in the gaming industry can be attributed to the rise in the female gaming population. Origins-award nominated game design, Boyan Radakovich, discusses the cognitive neuroscience data fundamental to the gender differences in how men and women perceive the world. Understand the specific design challenges when making games that appeal to the fairer sex.

10:00A

Breaking In To The Industry by Jess Hartley & Christian St. Pierre

Looking to get your foot in the door? Learn from one of the most prolific freelancers in the business. Jess will walk you through the dos and don'ts of being a gaming "gun-for-hire".

11:00A

KEYNOTE: Pen & Paper Gaming in the 21st Century by Erik Mona

Paizo Publisher and award-winning game designer Erik Mona presents an overview of the current landscape of the pen & paper RPG industry. How can game designers and publishers adapt to a rapidly changing marketplace and take advantage of new technology and social networking to spread the word and take the world by storm. A 40-minute discussion, followed by a Q & A session.

NOON

LUNCH BREAK
2:00P

From Fiction to Game Mechanics by Randall Bills

Take a far future utopian star traveling game, where your goal is to boldly explore new frontiers. Now, how do you develop a game for this fictional universe? What are the aspects of play that match the tenets of the universe? How do you make the game feel like the movies, shows, or books?

3:00P

Making the Most of Mythic Structure by Matthew Grau

Popularized by Joseph Campbell in his book Hero with a Thousand Faces, the monomyth is a powerful tool for story structure. It is taught to aspiring screenwriters and used in mainstream movies today – though it is most notably the backbone of the epic Star Wars saga. Come learn about the monomyth and how to use it to create epic and enduring stories in your games.

4:00P

Marketing Your Game with Marcelo Figueroa, Joshua J. Frost & Ed Healy

You've got your game. Now, you need an audience. Take advantage of this unique opportunity to learn from three of the most knowledgable marketers in the hobby/social games industry during this informal roundtable session.

5:00P

Building 'Dirty' Worlds by John Wick

John Wick's monthly game master advice column in Pyramid was the most controversial in the magazine's history. It was seen by some as revolutionary and dismissed by others as outright dangerous. Learn the worst, most despicable, dastardly and downright dishonest game mastering tricks, traps and tactics that will make you the GM your players love to hate!

Sunday, November 8th, 2009
9:00A

Working With Artists: An Artist's Perspective by Christian N. St. Pierre

For aspiring or professional game designers and art directors, this presentation takes a look inside the world of gaming illustration from the artist's point of view. Artist and illustrator Christian N. St. Pierre will cover topics including approaching and attracting artists, rates and budgetary considerations, the working process, and building lasting professional relationships.

10:00A

Running A Small Game Company by Stan!

The advent of PDF sales and Print On Demand have made it easier than ever to take your game ideas and share them with the world, but that doesn't mean that it's any easier to run a small game publishing company.

Stan! has worked for some of the biggest publishers in the industry (TSR, Wizards of the Coast, Upper Deck Entertainment) and co-founded a pair of small game studios (Super Genius Games, The Game Mechanics). Join him for an interactive discussion (so PLEASE bring questions) about the practical considerations you should keep in mind BEFORE you start your own company.

11:00A

Gaming Podcasting 101 by Ryan Macklin & Ed Healy

Interested in getting your voice out there in the world of podcasting, but don't know where to start? This presentation is for you! You'll learn the basics on a variety of topics, from microphone & recording space, to audio editing (on PC and Mac), to show theory and speaking to your target audience. In addition to planned topics, there will be plenty of time to answer your questions.

NOON

LUNCH BREAK
2:00P

5 Major Design Mistakes and How to Avoid Them by Leonard Balsera

In this seminar, you'll learn about five foundational mistakes that people make in the process of designing a roleplaying game and how to keep them out of a game during development. Whether you're working on a project right now or are just interested in learning more about the design process, this overview will provide you with some concrete techniques and tactics to focus both the concept and execution of your design.

3:00P

GamesU 2010 - The Next Level by Doug Daulton & Marcelo Figueroa

As we wrap up our first GamesU, we'll chat a bit about the future of this conference. Share your thoughts about what worked, what needs work and what you want to see in the future.

GamesU 2009 · Speakers

Erik Mona, Keynote Speaker

In addition to being the Publisher at Paizo Publishing, Erik has served as the editor-in-chief of Dragon and Dungeon magazines. He has edited, authored, and co-authored several products for Dungeons & Dragons, including Expedtion to the Ruins of Greyhawk and Faiths & Pantheons. While at Wizards of the Coast, Erik co-created the Living Greyhawk organized play campaign. He now manages Paizo's publishing operation, including the Pathfinder Roleplaying Game and Pathfinder Adventure Paths.

Leonard Balsera

Leonard Balsera is the FATE System Line Developer for Evil Hat Productions. He worked as an assistant designer on Evil Hat's Spirit of the Century, which received a Silver ENnie in 2007 for Best Rules, and is the current lead system designer for the upcoming Dresden Files Roleplaying Game. He is also the author of Profane Miracles, a scenario for The Esoterrorists by Pelgrane Press.

Randall Bills

Randall served as the BattleTech line developer, continuity editor, art director, and a primary author/novelist; under FASA he was also the BattleTech assistant line developer. Randall also served as the Mechwarrior: Dark Age continuity editor, working with WizKids to help in the creation of the universe — including its thirty full-length novels — assisted in the writing and crafting of the original MechWarrior community campaigns.

Currently, Randall is responsible for the quality of Shadowrun and BattleTech products as set with Shadowrun Fourth Edition, and the BattleTech Introductory Box Set and Total Warfare. This involves working closely with both line developers to ensure they receive the necessary resources to maintain that quality, while hitting their release dates. This also allows him the flexibility to throw his skills at new games that Catalyst Game Labs.

Andrew Chang, M.D.

As both a gamer and a doctor who treats people with radiation, Andrew is interested in helping game designers better understand the science behind the fiction that drive many of our favorite games.

Doug Daulton

Writer, new media consultant/producer, Doug is the co-founder and Executive Director of Neoncon. Every day, Doug helps businesses, large and small, understand how to use social media to connect with potential customers and partners to grow their businesses and brands. Many feel tabletop gaming is on the wane, falling victim to the rapid emergence of computer, console and internet-based games — not Doug.

Print-On_Demand (POD) and PDF distribution make publishing accessible to just about anyone with the talent and desire to run a small press. Social media outlets like Facebook, Twitter and MySpace make connecting with fellow gamers easier than ever before. More importantly, MMOs and online games lack the personal connection found around the gaming table. The tabletop gaming renaissance is upon us. Doug can help you make the most of this opportunity.

Marcelo Figueroa

Marcelo A. Figueroa is one of few individuals who have participated in every tier of the hobby games industry, first as a consumer, then in Retail (All Star Games), in Distribution (ACD Distribution), as Media (Space Gamer/Fantasy Gamer Magazine, Shadis Magazine, Games Quarterly Magazine), and Publishing (Alderac Entertainment Group, Avalanche Press, Playroom Entertainment). And somewhere in there he found time to be a published writer & game designer. His years of experience have made him a respected industry expert in Customer Service, Marketing, Product Demonstration & Sales, including an Origins Award.

Commonly referred to as the "someone you need to know" in hobby games, Marcelo currently works with Sorvent, Inc. as a Talent Manager, helping undiscovered game inventors find publishers for their games, as well as being the Sales Manager for Dan Verssen Games, Warpath Games Distribution, and the Greater Games Industry Catalog.

Joshua J. Frost

Josh is Paizo Publishing's Events Manager as well as a freelance writer, game designer, and photographer. He is currently managing Pathfinder Society Organized Play, Paizo's world-wide RPG organized play system set in the Pathfinder Chronicles campaign setting. His RPG design credits include the bestiaries in Revisited, the Pathfinder Chronicles Campaign Setting, Sun Dagger's Crown in Pathfinder #17, and Taldor: Echoes of Glory for Paizo Publishing and the soon-to-be-released A Song of Ice and Fire Campaign Guide for Green Ronin. He is also the co-designer of Yetisburg, a comedic American civil war card game released by Titanic Games. His RPG Industry work has garnered him one ENnie award.

Matthew Grau

Matthew has been a professional writer and intellectual property developer since the age of 17. He began his career in the adventure games industry, writing books and designing game rules for such popular titles and licenses as Dungeons & Dragons, Marvel Super Heroes, Frank Herbert's Dune, Star Trek, Star Wars, and more. His most recent efforts put him at the helm of WildFire's ENnie Award winning CthulhuTech. Matthew has been a professional writer and intellectual property developer since the age of 17. He began his career in the adventure games industry, writing books and designing game rules for such popular titles and licenses as Dungeons & Dragons, Marvel Super Heroes, Frank Herbert's Dune, Star Trek, Star Wars, and more. His most recent efforts put him at the helm of WildFire's ENnie Award winning CthulhuTech.

In the late 90's, Matthew also moved into the film and television arena. He has written scripts and directed productions for clients such as Microsoft and Nintendo, and created and wrote the Curiosity Cafe television show and kick-off feature film on a first-look agreement with the Jim Henson Company. He is an award-winning screenwriter with projects currently in the Hollywood studio system.

Jess Hartley

For the last ten years, Jess Hartley has worked as a freelance writer, editor and developer, predominantly in the roleplaying game industry. Jess started working with White Wolf in 2003, when she penned the Exalted novel, "In Northern Twilight". Since then, she has written content for Skinchangers, Reliquary (which she also developed), Midnight Roads and Innocents from the World of Darkness core game line, The Beast That Hunts The Blood (Nosferatu Clanbook) for Vampire: The Masquerade, Free Council, Silver Ladder and Mysterium for Mage: The Awakening, all four of the Promethean: The Created supplements (Pandora's Book, Strange Alchemies, Magnum Opus and Saturnine Night), "Predators" for Werewolf: The Forsaken and "The Compass of the Celestial Directions 1: The Blessed Isle" for Exalted Second Edition. She's also contributed to the Scion line (Scion: Demigod and Scion: God), and was part of the core team that created Changeling: The Lost and Hunter: The Vigil.

One of Jess' latest projects has been helping create Geist: The Sineaters, White Wolf's newest game line, which debuts in August of 2009, as well as multiple electronic projects such as Collection of Horrors, Ready-Made Changeling Characters, and The Rose-Bride's Plight, a Changeling: The Lost Storyteller Adventure System .pdf product, which has been nominated for an ENnie for Best Adventure. For more information about Jess visit www.jesshartley.com. Questions or inquiries can be addressed to jess@jesshartley.com.

Ed Healy

An ENnie nominated game designer and ENnie award-winning website designer, Ed's latest project is War Pig, an internet radio station that plays in local game stores and is syndicated on numerous gaming websites. He also co-hosts and produces three regular shows: Atomic Array, Open Design Podcast and RPG Countdown.

Ryan Macklin

Ryan is an ENnie Award-nominated podcaster and audio producer. Between three podcasts ( Master Plan, This Just In From GenCon and The Voice of the Revolution), Ryan has produced over 100 episodes totaling over 45 hours of audio. He is also the owner and organizer of RPGPodcasts.com, a directory of shows relating to role-playing games.

Juliet Meyer

A Las Vegas resident for over a decade, Juliet Meyer was bitten by the gaming bug in her early teens while growing up on the east coast. An avid video game player, the step towards table top games was only natural. On a dark and stormy night she discovered a D&D book at a neighbor's house and it was all downhill from there. Juliet currently works in radio as an on-air talent, producer and voice over artist. When she's not on the airwaves, she's working for Petroglyph Games on their QA team.

Juliet has lent her voice to several video games, and has written for several online gaming communities including 1up.com, pwned.com, watchusgame.com and girlsentertainmentnetwork.com. When not working in the media or gaming industry she spends time as a LARPer in White Wolf's Camarilla, NERO, Realms of Conflict, and several of the local Las Vegas live action communities.

Boyan Radakovich

Boyan Radakovich is the Origins Award-nominated designer for Shifting Skies Games, the former sales and marketing director for Publisher Services Inc., the founding member of the Southern Arizona Gamers Association, and the convention director for Tucson's gaming convention, RinCon. Not bad for his third year in the games industry.

Prior to his new career in gaming, Bo was a graduate researcher in the field of cognitive neuroscience where he designed an artificial intelligence to simulate how humans interact in social situations. But when you think about it -- categorization, decision making, and memory are all just as important to game design. He will be helping shepherd new designers past the perils and pitfalls of game creation in our Game Lab.

Stan!

Stan! is an award-winning game designer, cartoonist, and author with nearly 100 game products, 15 short stories, 5 novels, and innumerable cartoons to his credit. He has worked on staff at West End Games, TSR, Wizards of the Coast, and Upper Deck Entertainment, and is a co-founder of both The Game Mechanics and Super Genius Games.

Currently Stan! is writing adventures for Call of Cthulhu and designing a setting for Savage Worlds (all to be published through Super Genius Games), doing manga localization for Viz Media, and writing support material for his FREE diceless RPG based on the Harper Collins Children's Books series Warriors.

Stan! lives in Vista, CA, were he hopes to one day be the owner of a Sony Aibo robot dog. Visit him online at Stannex.com, see daily doses of his doodles at Doodle-A-Day.com, and cross your fingers that he'll start telling new stories at StoryTimeWithStan.com again very soon.

Christian St. Pierre

Christian N. St. Pierre began his career in the fine and graphic arts working on commissioned murals, portraits, and re-creations, as well as poster, ad, and logo design. He later expanded into the illustration field creating artwork for role-playing games such as Bulldogs!, Spirit of the Century, Spirit of the Season, Swashbucklers of the 7 Skies, and the forthcoming Dresden Files RPG. He has worked with Hero Games, Evil Hat Productions, Fantasy Flight Games, and Mongoose Publishing, among others.

Chris has also been involved in various independent comic book projects, providing all artwork for the short-lived medieval fantasy series Grafenveer and inking for the online zombie thriller Devolution. Chris' most recent projects include providing artwork for the pulp section of Hero Games' Hero System 6th Edition and co-creating and penciling the upcoming Bonita & Clyde comic book mini-series. He is currently pursuing other illustration projects and comic book collaborations while developing his own creator-owned properties. To see samples of Chris' art and for news and contact information please visit www.christiannstpierre.com.

Monica Valentinelli

A long-time gamer, Monica Valentinelli splits her time between writing, working in online marketing or filling the role of project manager for acclaimed horror and dark fantasy webzine FlamesRising.com (www.flamesrising.com). Monica has worked on a number of gaming, tie-in and non-fiction projects including: WORLDS OF THE DEAD by Eden Studios, a short story for BURIED TALES of PINEBOX,TEXAS by 12 to Midnight and an essay in FAMILY GAMES: the 100 BEST. Throughout the year, you can often find Monica speaking on panels at several conventions, supporting local writers and gamers or annoying her very spoiled cats, Rimmon and Zakar.

John Wick

John is an award-winning game designer and author, most famous for Legend of the Five Rings and 7th Sea. He has also designed games for children and families including My Monster and Cat. Find out more about his newest critically-acclaimed roleplaying game, Houses of the Blooded, at www.houesoftheblooded.com.

John won several Origins Awards for his work on AEG's lines. Other writing credits include working for companies such as White Wolf, PEG, NeoPets, Upper Deck and Totally Games. John self-published Orkworld under his Wicked Press banner and later co-founded the Wicked Dead Brewing Company with Jared Sorensen.


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