AWS Online Event Providing GDC 2020 Content

TheDigitalDL.png

Registration is now open for AWS Game Tech: The Digital Download!

AWS Game Tech: The Digital Download is an online event taking place on 20th May, and will feature content and talks from what supposed to be at GDC 2020. This free, online event is designed to inspire and educate game developers of all skill levels about AWS Game Tech services, and help teams build faster, operate smarter, and delight their players. Content includes: 11 sessions with live Q&A from speakers representing Behaviour Interactive, Clean Cuts Interactive, Gearbox Software, Oasis Tech, and Ubisoft; 17 technical demos; game architecture examples from over 15 studios, a live 'ask the expert' zone, and more!

To learn more and register visit the event site: AWS Game Tech: The Digital Download

Get 15% off DevGAMM Online Tickets

Online_announce_tickets_EN.png

DevGAMM is moving online for the first time and will take place on May 14-15. The DevGamm and PINE App Teams are working on a tool for online meetings and networking.

DevGAMM Online is:
- Live sessions, round tables, and panel discussions;
- Online meetings;
- The DevGAMM Game Awards;
- Speed Game Dating for developers and publishers;
- A new format for presenting games — Public Pitch;
- Live communication.

Game submissions for developers are open:
Public Pitch (a new format for presenting games) — April 26;
Speed Game Dating (three-minute meetings with publishers online) — April 30.

There is one submission form for all game activities.

Participants will get a digital swag bag that includes promo codes, certificates, and trial access to online products from our partners and sponsors.

IGDA Finland Members get 15% off when using promocode IGDA_Finland15 when buying tickets.

For more information visit the conference website.

CORONA AID: Digi & Game Center Needs Your Support! - Help us to reach 15K goal at Mesenaatti.me! #savedgc

DGC - Mesenaatti items

The idea of ​​a digital and gaming community was born in 2012, when the Expa Game Business Co-operative was founded. Since that year, studies, surveys and opportunities have been sought to make such a community a reality. That moment came on Wednesday, January 1, 2020, when the Digi & Game Center (DGC) opened on Matarankatu in Jyväskylä. Now, DGC’s operations are at stake due to a coronavirus that has had a significant impact on the revenue streams of the DGC that manages DGC’s Expa. Expa is responsible for e.g. rents for public premises totaling € 15,000 over a three-month period. In order to keep this long-dreamed community in Central Finland, we invite you to fight against the corona!

Digi & Game Center, where all the IGDA Finland Jyväskylä Magic happens!

Digi & Game Center, where all the IGDA Finland Jyväskylä Magic happens!

What is Digi & Game Center?

The Expa Game Business Co-operative , together with the Central Finnish gaming and digital community, has established the Digi & Game Center (DGC) in Jyväskylä. DGC is a community and ecosystem that brings together Central Finnish gaming and digital experts under one brand and creates a framework for high-quality and diverse production of gaming and digital services and cooperation between companies and educational institutions in Central Finland and internationally. DGC's offices were sold off immediately and the operation has got off to a very good start. DGC has provided 16 entrepreneurs and companies with office space in a resource-wise and cost-effective way, facilities for Jyväskylä University of Applied Sciences (JAMK) game developer training for Demo Lab, GamePit space for JAMK's youth game coaching, cost-effective mobile workstations and meeting rooms. for various lectures, trainings, workshops and gamers, as well as facilities for a modern XR-AR-VR studio that can also be used for recordings. By the end of February 2020, DGC will e.g. was attended by more than 1,000 visitors, the first Finnish Game Jams were held, the gaming networking event Game Business Booster, as well as several lectures and massive openings. Now this start has been significantly jeopardized by a coronavirus pandemic. In particular, activities that are important for (Peliosuuskunta Expa) Expa Game Business Co-operative's business, such as organizing events and trainings, and renting premises, are not currently possible. Because Expa operates the space, it corresponds to e.g. rents for public premises, which means EUR 15 000 for a period of three months. In addition, many service production projects have been suspended due to the situation and their continuation is currently uncertain. That is why we call on you to support the DGC and fight the effects of the corona!

Values ​​guiding the operation of Digi & Game Center:

  • Strengthening the awareness of the local (Central Finland) gaming and digital industry both domestically and internationally

  • Employment of gaming and digital professionals locally - Increasing the attractiveness of Jyväskylä among experts in the field

  • Close and networked cooperation between different companies, experts, developers and educational institutions

  • Sustainable development and internationalization

Expolore the Digi & Game Center in 3D:
https://my.matterport.com/show/?m=tGEm1yhqJ6t

Website of Digi & Game Center:
www.digigamecenter.org

Where does the money from the Mesenaatti campaign go?

An excellent question with a simple answer: the money is used to cover the rental costs incurred by the DGC for the Expa Game Business Co-operative and other expenses such as accounting and salaries. Expa operates the DGC and is responsible for rents for the center’s shared facilities, which will accrue around € 15,000 over three months.

One of DGC’s companies, W1llou Agency, has also been employed in the campaign, and product rewards will be made in Finland. At the same time, we support Finnish companies as well as the buyers of the campaign.

We are not talking about a large number of buyers, so the goals are very achievable!

For example, to achieve our minimum goal – € 15,000 – we need

300 buyers of Collect All! product package
OR
120 #XmasJKL ticket buyers
OR
10 buyers of the DGC Loves U visibility package
OR
2 namings of the Stage reward buyers + 2 namings of the meeting rooms

After deducting the taxes and other expenses such as ordering the product rewards, DGC will have € 9,000 left. With this, we can cover about two months of rent.

For example, to achieve our maximum goal – € 50,000 – we need

1000 Collect All! buyers of the product package
OR
34 buyers of the DGC Loves U visibility package
OR
20 buyers of the Gamification and Game Industry lecture
OR
10 buyers of the Collision of Worlds workshop

After deducting the taxes and other expenses such as ordering the product rewards, DGC will have approximately € 25,000 left. With this, we can cover about five months of rent, which already helps a lot.

What is Game Business Co-operative Expa?

The operator of Digi & Game Center is Game Business Co-operative Expa (Peliosuuskunta Expa), which is a community open to everyone, e.g. for game creators, researchers, students, teachers, events or other persons and entities operating in the field in Jyväskylä or in the territory of Central Finland. The purpose of Expa is to promote the success of the gaming industry in the Jyväskylä region and Central Finland. Expa was founded in 2012 and has been an active advocate for game developers in Central Finland ever since. The cooperative has 116 members and a separate 2-year board. The current chairman is Tuomas Roininen, he is also IGDA Finland and Neogames Boars member.

Expa Game Business Co-operative (Peliosuuskunta Expa), is also IGDA Finland Jyväskylä Hub one of the very first IGDA Finland hubs since 2013.

Website of Game Business Co-operative Expa: www.expa.fi

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

Introducing the WN Hub Communication Platform

WNH-banner.jpg

The entire game industry is moving online! The White Nights Conference team is launching a new communication platform for the game industry called WN Hub. It will debut on April 22 with thousands of professionals from approximately 2,000 companies from all over the world. 

At launch, there will be online conference from April 22-30th. After the conference, WN Hub will temporarily shut down to implement a final stage of features and react to feedback and is expected to go live in early June.

WN Hub features personal and group chats and video calls, a games showcase and a Publisher Pavilion to connect developers and publishers, as well as, panel discussions and sessions, an interactive expo zone and more.

Register on their website, it's free!

Game Development Crisis Conference & Webinar Series

IGDA and Take This are partnering to host an online webinar series and conference focused around equipping game developers and studio leadership with the knowledge and tools they need to sustain successful development in times of crisis. It will include talks and panels dedicated to skills and tools for working from home, studio leadership in times of change, and mental health considerations and resources for game developers. 

Webinars will focus on self-care considerations and personal management. The conference will focus on technical tools for continuing development under stress and change, leadership and management of teams during crises, and ongoing coping tools for long-term isolation.

The Game Development Crisis Conference and webinars will be hosted on Twitch and be free for all to watch. All talks will be later available on YouTube. 

Date:

Webinars launch: April 2nd, 2020 and are hosted every Thursday until May 14th

Conference: May 14th, 2020

Location: https://www.twitch.tv/igda 

Language: English 

Schedule

Self-Care 101

April 2nd, 2020

13:00-14:00 EDT (UTC -04:00) / 20:00-21:00 EEDT (UTC +03:00)

Participants:

Dr. B, Clinical Director, Take This

Renee Gittins, Executive Director, IGDA

Kelsey Wesley, Diversity, Inclusion & Learning Lead, Bungie

Pat Kemp, Game Designer, Spry Fox

Moderator: Eve Crevoshay, Executive Director, Take This

IGDA Mission

Support and empower game developers around the world in achieving fulfilling and sustainable careers.

Take This Mission 

Decrease the stigma, and increase the support for, mental health in the game enthusiast community and inside the game industry.

Core Goals for GDCC

The core goals for GDCC 2020 are:

  1. Host discussions and programs that improve game developers’ tools and lives in times of crisis 

  2. Connect game developers from around the world with networks, knowledge, and resources to overcome the difficulties created by COVID-19

  3. Encourage management styles that best support teams during crises and give studios the best chance for continued success

  4. Support leaders in a time of uncertainty

Donations

All donations received during the event’s stream will be given to Take This to support gamers and game developers in this time of mental crisis. 

Sponsorships 

IGDA and Take This are offering sponsorship packages for the Game Development During Crisis Conference to support the event and our own missions to help game developers. If you are interesting in sponsoring this event or one of the webinars, please contact IGDA HQ. This is a great opportunity to connect with decision makers and others within in the industry, all while supporting game developers and our industry during this crisis.