Classroom to the Console: The Autobiography of flOw

Speakers: Jenova Chen, Kellee Santiago

Track: Game Design

Format: Lecture

Experience Level: All

Description: In the late 1960s, precocious auteurs like George Lucas and Martin Scorsese went from film programs at USC and NYU to fomenting a revolution in Hollywood. Almost four decades later, similar waves have begun in the video game industry, as a result of the recently formed interactive media programs at universities. In the spring of 2006, Kellee Santiago and Jenova Chen went from being soon-to-be MFA graduates to owning a company with a three game deal for PS3. Originated as a test bed for Jenova Chen's thesis, flOw evolved from a student project into a debut title for thatgamecompany. In this talk, you will hear the story of how these students leveraged their degrees into games straight from the source. You will not only hear the vision of these young game makers, but also a full post-mortem from the team behind flOw PS3, nicknamed "the high-schoolers", on their first console game.

Idea Takeaway: You will not only hear the vision of these young game makers, but also a full post-mortem from the team behind flOw PS3, nicknamed "the high-schoolers", on their first console game.

Intended Audience: Anyone interested in how independent games can be made.