fatfoogoo CEO and Co-Founder Martin Herdina and VP of Sales and Business Development Stevie Case will be on hand at this years LOGIN event, held in Seattle, WA from May 11th – 14th.
The annual LOGIN event is one of the leading conferences that features enriching online game development sessions, seminars, conferences and workshops from both pacific northwest and international industry leaders. Naturally the activities don’t stop there, and feature a host of networking activities, keynote lunches, special interest group meetings (can you say microtransactions?), an exhibition area, and a party or two. But this year’s LOGIN conference is adding a new element, one that is sure to gather great interest from attendees: three formal debates covering issues of secondary markets, ownership of virtual property, and scripting by game designers.
According to LOGIN Conference Director Peter Freese, “Traditional panels and lectures excel in delivering a range of opinions and a single focused viewpoint respectively. However, a debate presents attendees a high-resolution set of contrasting views that can challenge or reinforce their opinions in ways no other presentation format can. LOGIN takes on the tough topics with experienced speakers, and introducing formal debates is proof of our commitment to that standard for our attendees.”
Slated for Tuesday afternoon (May 12th) will be the first debate, Secondary Markets, featuring our very own Martin Herdina talking the side in favor of the practice, while President and COO of Electronic Entertainment Design and Research Geoffrey Zatkin will take the opposing point of view. According to Plus Eight Star, a Chinese consultancy firm, the estimated size of virtual goods trading in China alone is over $5 billion annually. Are secondary markets cutting into game developers pockets, or are they actually building an even stronger connection to a particular title, by allowing users the freedom and flexibility to create and sell their own in-game items? Does the secondary market harm, or benefit the player experience? This debate will cover these topics, and presumably more.
Wednesday’s debate will feature Marty Poulin, CEO of Shady Logic Studios on the side of game logic implementation as a task for programming teams, while Isaac Barry, Creative Director of GameHouse will take the position of defending the practice of designer scripting.
Wrapping up the debate series on Friday, Erik Bethke, CEO of GoPets Ltd. stands and defends virtual property rights, while Jon Grande, EVP and GM of Online Services of Exponential Entertainment argues against them.
Naturally, both Martin and Stevie will be available throughout the conference to answer any questions, discuss what fatfoogoo can do for you, and talk any and all things microtransactions.
If you’d like to schedule some time with either of them, feel free to send an email:
Martin Herdina: Martin (at) fatfoogoo (dot) com
Stevie Case: Stevie (at) fatfoogoo (dot) com
