other types of online communities. What are the implications?
—What is an “Indie Game”? (Saturday, 3:00 pm)
The rise in game platforms and distribution mechanisms has elevated the cultural profile of indie games. But along with this increased attention is an increasing debate about how to break through in the market. What really makes an indie title, and why should you care?
—Hal Halpin and Adam Sessler Talking Games (Saturday, 4:30 pm)
ECA president Hal Halpin and G4’s host of X-Play and Editor-in-Chief of games content, Adam Sessler, discuss the hot topics affecting the video game industry today, and look at trends that could impact gamers in the future.
—“I’ve Just Been F#$%ing Fired”: How to Get Back Into the Industry on Your Own Terms Through Mobile Game Development (Saturday, 7 pm)
Panelists (including representatives from Big Fish Games and Research In Motion) will discuss some unique options to rebound from the downturn and resulting firing blitz in the game industry, with a focus on the current explosion in casual and mobile gaming.
—The PAX 10 Panel (Saturday, 7:30 pm)
After sifting through more than 150 submissions from a wealth of genres and gameplay hybrids, a panel of industry experts selected the 10 best submissions in terms of gameplay and “fun factor.”
—The Future of Gaming: You Don’t Know What You’re Going to Get (Sunday, 10:30am)
The success of the Wii, the iPhone, and the rise of social gaming are already turning the entire video game industry on its head. Andrew Mayer from MediaShifter will explain why the next five years in gaming are going to bring massive changes to the industry, including what games we play, where we play them, and how we play. Is this the last console generation? Why are your favorite developers already making games for Facebook and the iPhone? And intriguingly, Mayer argues that you’ll end up paying more to play your favorite games once everything is “free.”
