Burning Mad: Game Publishers Rant

Speakers: Alex St. John, Eric Zimmerman, Greg Costikyan, Lee Jacobson, Nichol Bradford, Richard Hilleman

Track: IGDA

Format: Panel

Experience Level: All

Description: For the last two years at the IGDA's rant session, game developers have delivered explosive tirades, heartfelt anger, and revolutionary manifestos. This year, publishers get even. At this session, representatives from the game publishing community tell it like it is. And it may not be pretty. Cutting through the clutter of polite industry chit-chat, Burning Mad takes on the issues that matter to developers in a no-holds-barred format. Last year's speakers ranted and raved about topics that included sexism in game marketing, the lameness of game awards, the lack of innovation in gaming, and the impending death of the game industry. So, fasten your seat belts and prepare for more strong opinions from some of the game industry's most distinguished and dissatisfied personalities. The invited panelists, each a veteran from game publishing, say whatever they want about whatever they want. You have been warned. Hosted within the IGDA track, Burning Mad is about identifying solutions as well as problems. The audience will have a chance to respond to the rants and join in the dialogue. Topics address issues of concrete importance to the game industry. And the session will be used to generate action items for IGDA's work in the future.

Idea Takeaway: Come to this session prepared to have your assumptions questioned and your sensibilities shaken.

Intended Audience: Do not attend this session if you are squeamish about seeing panelists tear the game industry limb from limb.