Online registration closes May 9
Overview
The ION Game Conference (formerly known as OGDC) is the only annual game industry event with a laser-sharp focus on the rapidly evolving business of online game development on all its platforms. The 2nd Annual ION Game Conference, to be held May 13-15, 2008 at the Seattle Waterfront Marriott Hotel in Seattle, Washington, will bring online game developers and business leaders together to celebrate and further the online game ecosystem.
Building on the great success of the 2007 conference, ION 2008 will expand the plenary sessions from two to three days, and feature a wide range of keynotes, sessions, and panels, giving attendees new views of the online game universe—everything from an overview of the latest business, product, and legal developments to in-depth looks at scalability, player psychology, and in-game economic systems. ION features acclaimed networking events, such as the opening night Welcome Reception and the official conference party.
Our theme for 2008 is redefining online. Redefining online means we’re actively exploring the boundaries of online game development, covering more than just MMO fantasy games. Console, wireless, virtual worlds, mash-ups, mobile, casual games – all of these categories intersect with online gaming. Online games are global and expanding into new markets that boxed games can't. Redefining online is an ongoing interchange of ideas and information that will involve everyone at ION.
We hope you'll participate in the dialog.
News and Interviews
2008-05-08: Interview with David Lakritz: : The Language of Localizing Online Games
David Lakritz, President & CEO, Language Automation, Inc., previews his “Top Global Markets for Online Games (and How to Speak to the Gamers)” lecture at the 2008 ION Game Conference. Additionally, in this interview he tackles what has often proven to be a tricky subject for online game developers – localizing game titles to match the language and culture of an international market.
Read and discuss the interview on the ION Network
2008-05-05: Interview with Nicole Lazzaro: Social Forces Impact Online Gaming
Nicole Lazzaro, President of XEODesign, examines the powerful new forms of Web 2.0, emotion and social play interaction redefining the way many of us see online games in a preview of her 2008 ION Game Conference lecture, WOW vs. Facebook: Is Social Networking the New Casual Game?.
Read and discuss the interview on the ION Network
2008-04-30: Alex St. John to Provide Closing Keynote at the 2008 ION Game Conference
It’s only logical to conclude one of the world’s best conferences for online game developers with a closing keynote address from the chief executive of one of the world’s leading developers of online, downloadable game content. Alex St. John, CEO and co-founder of WildTangent, the largest privately held game property in the U.S., will deliver the closing keynote at the end of the final day of the 2008 ION Game Conference. The 2008 ION Game Conference, a high-level game industry event focused on the business and development of online games, will take place in Seattle, May 13-15 at the Seattle Marriott Waterfront Hotel.
St. John’s keynote address, “The PC Gaming Comeback,” will focus on opportunities provided by the PC/online gaming model, and highlight the challenges the console market will face moving forward. The discussion will closely examine key differentiators between the two platforms, and the role that community and social gaming play in the equation. He will also demonstrate the economics for making premium games free online, supported by advertising, and how this model can generate more revenue than retail models.
2008-04-28: Interview with Todd Northcutt, Director of GameSpy Technology
Todd Northcutt, Director of GameSpy Technology reveals what he feels is missing from multiplayer communities and their means of social connections, in a preview of his 2008 ION Game Connection lecture, Follow Me: 7 Cool Things You Can Do With Buddy Lists. Todd joined GameSpy in 1999 in hopes of providing gamers a richer online gaming experience. His role gradually shifted away from providing stand-alone products to gamers (GameSpy 3D, Roger Wilco and GameSpy Arcade) to developing technology for game developers to be included directly within the games themselves. To date they’ve powered the online component of over 500 PC, Mac, Sony PS2, PSP and PS3, Xbox, Nintendo DS and Wii titles.
Read and dsicuss the interview on the ION Network
2008-04-22: Yat Siu, Founder & CEO of Sanrio Digital, to Deliver Thursday Keynote
Among the major forces behind the scenes of the fast-growing Internet social communities in the Pacific Rim are two very different companies that are affecting the future of online worlds in the East: Sanrio Digital and Outblaze. Evergreen Events is proud to announce that the founder and CEO of Sanrio Digital and Outblaze, Yat Siu, will deliver the 2008 ION Game Conference lunch keynote on Thursday, May 15th. The 2008 ION Game Conference, an exclusive and senior-level game industry event focused on the business and development of online games, will take place in Seattle, Washington from May 13-15 at the Seattle Marriott Waterfront Hotel.
Mr. Siu’s keynote will focus on the integration of social networks, casual gaming, and massively multiplayer online games, something he has been working on since designing The Impossible Team Online Game, an MMOG for Adidas that coincided with the 2006 FIFA World Cup.
2008-04-21: Interview with Attorney Sean F. Kane
Sean F. Kane, an Attorney with Drakeford & Kane LLC will bring his legal expertise related to virtual worlds, to the Virtual Property: Issues in Buying and Selling Virtual Goods panel at the 2008 ION Game Conference. But first, he dissects some of the most burning issues associated with virtual goods in an interview for ION Connection.
Read and discuss the interview on the ION Network
2008-04-15: Interview with Bill Fulton of Ronin User Experience
Bill Fulton, Founder of Ronin User Experience, a professional in the field of user play experience, offered up a wealth of interesting thoughts about the influence of psychology in the development of games. Read on for a preview of his ION Game Conference lecture about creating better multiplayer social environments.
Read and discuss the interview on the ION Network
2007-04-14: ION Agenda Is Live
The complete conference schedule for the 2008 ION Game Conference is now online. With over 100 speakers seated on almost 70 sessions, the agenda reflects the conference’s promise to deliver cutting edge information and compelling networking opportunities. Sessions span five distinct topical tracks and will be presented over three full days.
View the complete conference agenda.
2007-04-12: Volunteer for ION
Attend the ION Game Conference by becoming a volunteer! Participation in the Volunteer Program will give you a backstage look into the inner workings of ION while contributing to the success of this event. In your free time, you will have the opportunity to meet and mingle with industry professionals, as well as attend conference sessions and events.
Volunteers get full access to the conference in exchange for part-time volunteer work. We need volunteers to assist with registration, bag-stuffing, and session usher duties. The Volunteer Program is a great way to experience ION on a budget. It's also the only way to get a cool ION Staff shirt!
Find out more about the ION Volunteer Program.
2008-04-07: Eric Goldman talks about the pitfalls of user generated content
In one of our most in-depth interviews we’ve ever presented to ION Connection readers, Assistant Professor at the Santa Clara University School of Law, Eric Goldman shares his thoughtful views on the promises and pitfalls of user generated content in the online game space.
Read and discuss the interview on the ION Network
2008-04-07: Won Il Suh, Senior Vice President at Neowiz, to Deliver Tuesday Keynote
The 2008 ION Game Conference has enhanced the experienced and international portfolio of speakers, with the addition of Won Il Suh, Senior Vice President at Neowiz, as a keynote speaker for Tuesday, May 13th. Mr. Suh will be speaking on the vital topic of international partnership and investment opportunities within the business of online game development around the world. The 2008 ION Game Conference will take place in Seattle, Washington from May 13-15 at the Seattle Marriott Waterfront Hotel.
Won Il Suh oversees all international operations within Neowiz, ranging from co-development to investment to operations. He has witnessed and contributed first-hand to the explosive growth of the online game market space (diverse game genres, business models, etc.) in Korea for the past several years. Prior to Neowiz, Mr. Suh was CEO of Nexon and SmartPlay.
