Sympathy For The Devil: Creating Killer Villains For Games & Books
Summary:
Kick your game or book up a notch and learn the secrets behind creating killer villains. What makes them tick and what purpose do they serve in your story. All will be revealed!
Description:
Fascinating and devastating in their sharp suits, with their killer smiles, and their eyes that will eat you alive, villains are strong, smart, and motivated. They have that lean and hungry look. They stand alone. And say what you like about villains, but they know what they want. And that confidence is sexy. Without the villain, there is no story. Without the villain, the heroes aren’t heroic. And without the villain, things are a lot less interesting. What is Star Wars without Darth Vader? Who is Harry Potter without Voldemort? Kick your game or book up a notch and learn the secrets behind creating killer villains. A discussion by Industry Insider Guest of Honor and what makes villains tick and why they are important in your story.
Educators, parents, and kids share their experiences with programs that introduce kids to gaming, from school curricula to homeschooling to summer camps, and pass on advice and inspiration.
Advice for newbies in the field from those who have been around the block. Common misconceptions on how the industry works, & how to avoid the biggest mistakes when sending in submissions & proposals.
Description:
If you're a new writer, editor or game designer this panel is for you!
The Hunger Games—Equal Opportunity Gaming Dystopia For a Contemporary World
Summary:
Dystopias are a core theme of many RPGs. A discussion on how the Hunger Games dystopia is accessible to a modern audience, and how you can replicate this effect in your own games.
Description:
Dystopias form a core theme of many RPGs: the perfect apple of a world with a worm at its core, giving us the ruined world we love to hate. This panel looks at the appeal of The Hunger Games, the ways in which its dystopia is particularly accessible to a modern audience, and how you can replicate this effect in your own games.
An important skill a designer can develop is critical thinking. A discussion on developing these skills for game mechanics, & the professional conduct necessary to give & receive criticism of design.
Description:
In professional game design, one of the most important skills a designer can develop is critical thinking. A designer needs to be able to look at game designs, including his or her own, and be able to rationally and objectively identify the merits and flaws of the design, and be able to communicate that analysis to other designers with frankness and respect. This panel would talk about developing critical thinking skills for game mechanics, and also developing the professional conduct necessary to give and receive criticism of design.
There are thriving RPG scenes in outside North America. Come find out from our Industry Insiders on what's up, what's innovative, and what's scandalous.
Why is old-school the big new thing? We'll see how modern gamers can benefit from rediscovering roleplaying's roots and what the OSR has to do with how they played back in the day.
Randomness makes games fun, but it can also make them terrible. Our Industry Insider guests give advice on the right way to use randomness in game design.
Description:
Randomness makes games fun, but it can also make them terrible. If you’re going to use randomness in your games, it’s like using fire in your kitchen. A great tool, but only if you know how to handle it. Our Industry Insider guests will give advice on the right way to use randomness in game design.
Industry Insider Guests of Honor discuss the issues and pitfalls of working with someone else’s property and dealing with fan expectations of said property.