8 New Roundtable Leaders Announced for #DICE19 Summit
Eight new roundtable topics have just been announced! Join leaders from as they share their thoughts on the future of the video games industry. Roundtables facilitate new networking opportunities that will enrich the attendee experience with compelling topics which will be explored from the varied perspectives of table participants. This is an excellent networking opportunity paired with premier idea sharing. Click here for more information on the Roundtables.
Tami Bhaumik
Roblox, Vice President of Marketing & Community Safety
Is it the Digital Native or Digital Naive? A Discussion on the Video Gaming Industry’s Role in Teaching Good Digital Citizenship
Millions of players, from across the globe, are coming together as a community to engage and interact with others in what everyone envisions to be a safe environment. Unfortunately, the issues of cyber-bullying and inappropriate behavior are a constant and growing concern, impacting users everyday - and the video gaming industry is no exception. For companies investing heavily to build these online communities, the need to educate users and foster responsible digital citizenry is an issue that will only continue to grow. This roundtable will bring together industry leaders to discuss this growing issue, including how the technology industry, parents and young users, along with tools and technologies, can make these digital communities a fun and safe place.
Brian Crecente
Variety, Video Games Editor Rolling Stone, Video Game Writer
Video games and the Mainstream Media
As video games begin to overshadow other forms of entertainment, mainstream publications that once ignored the medium are starting to take notice. What do publications like Variety, Rolling Stone or newspapers look for when covering video games? When do they run a story in print? When do they run one online? What's the difference between a publication using an occasional freelance coverage, having a dedicated video game writer, and bringing on a video game editor. What does mainstream coverage for gaming mean for the industry and what will the path toward that look like? In this session, we'll discuss the expectations mainstream media have as they dive into video game coverage from a more holistic approach, what they view as a win and what their perception is of the industry.
Yves Jacquier, PhD
Ubisoft, Executive Director of Production Studios Services
A.I.’s Game Changing Impact
For years, videogames have relied on A.I. developments to advance, while A.I. pioneers used games as a benchmark to compare how their algorithm performed against real humans for human level decisions. Today, disruptive changes in both areas have created new ecosystems where they not only accelerate their own developments but a new paradigm has emerged where videogames and A.I. are on the verge of having real world implications to positively impact peoples lives in many significant ways. Join Yves in his roundtable to discuss if our world is the next open world.
Leanne Loombe
Riot Games, Head of Riot Labs
How can/does the industry balance ethical pricing and monetization design with business needs?
We've all seen the current scandals in the media concerning loot boxes and monetization designs within some high profile games, players are ~rightly~ voicing their concerns over content being gated behind pay walls and governments are worried about unregulated gambling. Are developers concerned about doing free-to-play or pay-to-win models in the current climate? Do players want more traditional box products so they can pay a flat fee and not worry about being pressured into spending more money within the game?
Andy McNamara
Game Informer, Editor In Chief
It’s Better As A Dialogue
Game previews are simply not the same anymore. The access the press gets to games in development is more limited than ever, and that’s not a good thing. Yes, games are more complex. Yes, publishing models have changed with early access and persistent worlds. But at the end of the day, limiting the discussion isn’t helping the dialog between the developer and the consumer that the media fosters. This roundtable will discuss how limiting access can blind-side consumers, create public relations controversies on the eve of release, and leave the media with the wrong impression of what defines a game and makes it special.
Frank O’Connor
343 Industries, Franchise Creative Director, Halo
Status, Quo Vadis: Legacy vs Innovation
For games or entertainment franchises with an extensive legacy and history, moving forward can be a perilous task. How do we respect the foundations upon which successful properties are built, while continuing to move forward and bringing those core fans – often the most conservative and vocal – along for the ride? How do we innovate and improve to expand our audiences without abandoning core principles and values and even basic mechanics of initial success? What can science and research tell us that instinct can’t – and when do we use gut feelings and predictions to stay ahead of user research and player data? Join Frank O’Connor to discuss the perils of change, the gravity of fandom and the opportunity of evolution in a world where the value of heritage clashes with the agility of fast-follow and the enormous value of fanbase fealty.
Kim Pallister
Intel Corporation, CTO – VR, Gaming and E-Sports Group
The Future Of Gaming Platforms, And What It Means For Game Development
In the nearly fifty years that there has been a games industry, change has been the norm. Today, however, we seeing greater and more rapid evolution than at any other time in gaming’s history. From the globalization of gaming culture and markets, the evolution of distribution and delivery of games, the morphing of games into services, to the advent of streaming as an integral part of games, there is a lot of change happening. Combine that with evolving hardware and software, immersive technologies, cloud computing and advances in artificial intelligence, and it’s anyone’s guess as to how games will look in five years and beyond. This panel discussion will solicit opinions and debate on what these emerging trends and technologies could mean for the future of games.
Jade Raymond
Creating a culture where creativity thrives
When people think about a great creative culture they often think about attracting “Top Talent”. But what does that really mean? Building a great creative culture is about more than optics and fancy resumes. It’s about nurturing the next generation of creative talent and creating opportunities for new ideas to shine. And most importantly, it’s about creating a culture that’s inclusive and supportive. When it comes to creating a environment where creativity thrives, there's no "one size fits all” approach - but there are some key ingredients that can help fresh ideas emerge and allow talent to flourish. Jade will lead a discussion exploring the unique opportunities (and challenges!) that exist when creating a culture from scratch. She will also discuss how existing cultures can be transformed to encourage new ways of thinking. Together we will explore how business objectives impact culture, how to ensure diverse perspectives are heard, and the importance of consistency and defending “risky ideas” throughout the creative process. Jade will draw on her extensive history of building new studios, new teams, and new IP to provide examples of best practices and common challenges.