IGDA and Take This are partnering to host an online webinar series and conference focused around equipping game developers and studio leadership with the knowledge and tools they need to sustain successful development in times of crisis. It will include talks and panels dedicated to skills and tools for working from home, studio leadership in times of change, and mental health considerations and resources for game developers. 

Webinars will focus on self-care considerations and personal management. The conference will focus on technical tools for continuing development under stress and change, leadership and management of teams during crises, and ongoing coping tools for long-term isolation.

The Game Development Crisis Conference and webinars will be hosted on Twitch and be free for all to watch. All talks will be later available on YouTube. 

May 14th – Game Development Crisis Conference

Location: https://www.twitch.tv/igda 

Language: English 

Date:
May 14th, 2020, 9am-4pm PDT / 12-7pm ET / 4-11pm GMT

Keynote

9-10am PDT / 12-1pm ET / 4-5pm GMT

Featuring:
Eve Crevoshay, Executive Director, Take This
Renee Gittins, Executive Director, IGDA

The Good of Games

10-11am PDT / 1-2pm ET / 5-6pm GMT

Featuring:
Arana Shapiro, Managing Director, Games for Change
Dr. Rachel Kowert, Research Director, Take This
Hans ten Cate, Ambassador, Game2Give
Travis Eriksen, Executive Director, Child’s Play
Kelli Dunlap, Program Manager, Take This

Current Network Environment & Gaming Future Vision

11am-12pm PDT / 2-3pm ET / 6-7pm GMT

Featuring:
Steve Glennon, Distinguished Technologist, CableLabs
Dean Avgiris, Senior Director Strategy and Planning, Comcast
Asher Kagan, Co-Founder, Blade
Sandesh Mouli, Founder, Vistara Growth Partners

Good Community Design for Crisis Periods

12-1pm PDT / 3-4pm ET / 7-8pm GMT

Featuring:
Rodrigo Tamellini, CEO, GamerSafer
Rich Weil, Senior Vice President, Global Operations, ModSquad
Ziba Scott, Founder, Popcannibal
Raffael “Dr. B” Boccamazzo, Clinical Director, Take This

Expats in Isolation

1-2pm PDT / 4-5pm ET / 8-9pm GMT

Featuring:
Milena Koljensic, Marketing & Business Development in Games
Tara Brannigan, Director of Community & Player Support, Behaviour Interactive
Nikita Zatsepin, Global Business Development, Unity

Mitigation Strategies for Technical Challenges

2-3pm PDT /5-6pm ET / 9-10pm GMT

Featuring:
Dr. Kimberly Voll, Co-Founder, Stray Bombay
Andy Moore, Lead Techromancer, absurd:joy
Renee Gittins, Executive Director, IGDA

Inclusive LiveOps

3-4pm PDT / 6-7pm ET / 10-11pm GMT

Featuring:
James Gwertzman, GM, PlayFab

Closing Words

4pm PDT / 7pm ET / 10pm GMT

Featuring:
Eve Crevoshay, Executive Director, Take This
Renee Gittins, Executive Director, IGDA

Game Development Crisis Webinar Series

Self Care 101

Participants:
Raffael “Dr. B” Boccamazzo, Clinical Director, Take This
Renee Gittins, Executive Director, IGDA
Kelsey Wesley, Diversity, Inclusion & Learning Lead, Bungie
Pat Kemp, Game Designer, Spry Fox
Moderator: Eve Crevoshay, Executive Director, Take This

Maintaining Good Studio Culture & Empathy

Participants:
Justin Britch, Head of Development, Obsidian Entertainment
Joshua Howard, Executive Producer, Turn 10 Studios
Moderator: Eve Crevoshay, Executive Director, Take This

Online Moderation & Crisis Community Support

Participants:
Victoria Tran, Communications Director, Kitfox Games
Rubi Bayer, Content Marketing Manager, ArenaNet
Linda “Brasse” Carlson, Owner, Mythos CEX
Moderator: Raffael “Dr. B” Boccamazzo, Clinical Director, Take This

Technical Solutions for Remote Development

Participants:
John Comes, Design Director, Utopos Games
Kris Kwilas, Operations Engineer, Oxide Games
Moderator: Renee Gittins, Executive Director, IGDA

Communication Skills in the Studio and Remotely

Participants:
Cherry Thompson, Accessibility Project Manager, Ubisoft
Kareem Shuman, Technical Dialogue Designer, Bungie
Katie Golden, Senior Producer, Turn 10
Sarah Spiers, Producer, Filament Games
Holly Harrison, Communications and Marketing Specialist

Supporting Remote Teams at Small Studios

Participants:
Eve Crevoshay, Executive Director, Take This
Chandana Ekanayake, Creative Director, Outerloop Games
John Krajewski, CEO, Strange Loop Games

IGDA Mission

Support and empower game developers around the world in achieving fulfilling and sustainable careers.

Take This Mission 

Decrease the stigma, and increase the support for, mental health in the game enthusiast community and inside the game industry.

Core Goals for GDCC

The core goals for GDCC 2020 are:

1. Host discussions and programs that improve game developers’ tools and lives in times of crisis 
2. Connect game developers from around the world with networks, knowledge, and resources to overcome the difficulties created by COVID-19
3. Encourage management styles that best support teams during crises and give studios the best chance for continued success
4. Support leaders in a time of uncertainty

Donations

All donations received during the event’s stream will be given to Take This to support gamers and game developers in this time of mental crisis. 

Sponsorships 

IGDA and Take This are offering sponsorship packages for the Game Development During Crisis Conference to support the event and our own missions to help game developers. If you are interesting in sponsoring this event or one of the webinars, please contact us. This is a great opportunity to connect with decision makers and others within in the industry, all while supporting game developers and our industry during this crisis.