Plan for Jay Moore
by Jay Moore · 08/28/2004 (1:56 pm) · 11 comments
Penny-Arcade Expo '04 is underway and the overwhelming line at the door has all gotten inside. Now the games begin and not just Xbox play, but PC and Board gaming. Its a hardcore crowd out to have fun and thats irresistable for GG.
Josh Williams was early to register and persuaded me we should represent. He's speaking on the "Break into Games Panel" on Sunday and we're meeting many GG community members. I'll let Josh report how he does in the Soul Calibur 2 Tournament - most are here for fun, but with 20k in prizes at stake there are gamers who seem pretty serious.
Even on first panel talking about state of the Gaming Industry - the independent game development movement was mentioned as part of what is needed to help create innovation in gaming. It clear to expand the player base it will require appealing to the next generation of casual gamers. With new platforms, expanded pressures on publishers to take less risks with larger and larger budgets the number of opportunities for independents is growing.
Its clear PAX which is bursting at the seems will be a raging and growing success in the years to come. Makes me itch for all the fun coming to IGC this year.
Josh Williams was early to register and persuaded me we should represent. He's speaking on the "Break into Games Panel" on Sunday and we're meeting many GG community members. I'll let Josh report how he does in the Soul Calibur 2 Tournament - most are here for fun, but with 20k in prizes at stake there are gamers who seem pretty serious.
Even on first panel talking about state of the Gaming Industry - the independent game development movement was mentioned as part of what is needed to help create innovation in gaming. It clear to expand the player base it will require appealing to the next generation of casual gamers. With new platforms, expanded pressures on publishers to take less risks with larger and larger budgets the number of opportunities for independents is growing.
Its clear PAX which is bursting at the seems will be a raging and growing success in the years to come. Makes me itch for all the fun coming to IGC this year.
About the author
Serial / parallel entrepreneur, insight merchant, sailor and red wine enthusiast. Co-founder of BitRaider, out to change the game. An original partner in GarageGames and hosted Indie Game Con `02-`05.
#2
08/28/2004 (11:47 pm)
Ahh PAX, Seattle Rox what can I say... 
#3
Would you like to have some GB buttons to help spread the word? I can send you a box of 100 at GG if you'd like to help us out.
08/29/2004 (11:27 am)
Jay, yep. I see the corporate cost structure driving most of the big companies out of the online PC market. Its ripe for the picking at the indie level. Good to see you out evangelizing the masses!Would you like to have some GB buttons to help spread the word? I can send you a box of 100 at GG if you'd like to help us out.
#4
We can definately use some help from a pro-marketer like yourself.
08/29/2004 (11:32 am)
I know you are straight up kind of a guy, so you might not exactly like the "Beaver Pounding" hat which is what we call the GameBeaver recruiting effort. Our evangelists are called "Beaver Pounders." If you can live with the PG definition, I'd like to send you a hat too.We can definately use some help from a pro-marketer like yourself.
#6
I dunnno, maybe it could have another meaning but only because its the product of a deranged juvenile mind. In the words of the infamous Beavis and Butthead "Huh huuuhhh hhuh heh heh... he said 'beaver'" Ofcourse we developers here are far too professional to consider something like that ;)
08/29/2004 (1:01 pm)
Cameron, Its nothing more an aquatic tree chewing rodent who is pounding home his message. This helps build the "Beaver Dam" foundation of game development. Simple, nothing wrong with that. What else could it possibly mean? I dunnno, maybe it could have another meaning but only because its the product of a deranged juvenile mind. In the words of the infamous Beavis and Butthead "Huh huuuhhh hhuh heh heh... he said 'beaver'" Ofcourse we developers here are far too professional to consider something like that ;)
#7
08/29/2004 (1:04 pm)
Jay, I sent all the GG guys a gift box of Game Beaver goodies. Hope you guys like em! 
#8
We may not be able to compete in a pissing match with AAAs, but we certainly can still make great innovate products that capture the fun and gameplay that is missing from their work.
08/30/2004 (10:56 am)
This is awesome to hear Jay, I hope you guys have fun and plug the GG community (and of course all of the great products and up and coming projects too to this crowd).We may not be able to compete in a pissing match with AAAs, but we certainly can still make great innovate products that capture the fun and gameplay that is missing from their work.
#9
@Britton - You guessed right - from the guy who made buttons saying: "Ask me how to put a little T&A* in your Game" *Torque network Architecture = TNL and found it didn't resonate when promoting to over 1/2 the population - I think that brand development by Beavis & Butthead leaves the messaging beyond good taste, but I'm guessing you're not going to the Women in Gaming conference with this campaign. I love the enthusiasm, but you might want to market test your message a bit before having too many hats stitched up.
Those from PAX - It was great fun running into so many teams using Torque - Power to the Gamer... Join the Revolution! IGC '04
08/30/2004 (2:36 pm)
Josh Williams was on the panel "Breaking into Games" and it was clear that even if you want to make it into commercial studios today your portfolio has to rock and getting your hands dirty making a demo that has a WOW factor is about as basic as having a resume and a degree at this point. Even the veterans understand Indie as a lifestyle and getting games made that will never get greenlighted in todays large budget risk sensitive game industry. @Britton - You guessed right - from the guy who made buttons saying: "Ask me how to put a little T&A* in your Game" *Torque network Architecture = TNL and found it didn't resonate when promoting to over 1/2 the population - I think that brand development by Beavis & Butthead leaves the messaging beyond good taste, but I'm guessing you're not going to the Women in Gaming conference with this campaign. I love the enthusiasm, but you might want to market test your message a bit before having too many hats stitched up.
Those from PAX - It was great fun running into so many teams using Torque - Power to the Gamer... Join the Revolution! IGC '04
#10
I'll pitch the new Game Promotion Idea's to Mary Margaret Walker and see what she thinks. If she takes offense then I'll tone it down a bit. Either way we will see if we cant get a link for GameBeavers on their scholarship supporters list.
I think I'll make a few posts on WomenGamers.com and get some feedback there too.
08/30/2004 (4:49 pm)
Jay, good point. I'll pitch the new Game Promotion Idea's to Mary Margaret Walker and see what she thinks. If she takes offense then I'll tone it down a bit. Either way we will see if we cant get a link for GameBeavers on their scholarship supporters list.
Quote:
Dear Britton:
As you may have seen in Game Daily on August 26th, 2004 we are teaming up with WomenGamers.com & The Guildhall at SMU to help raise funds for a new game development scholarship for women. Please take the time to read the letter below and consider having your company sponsor this ground breaking scholarship. Feel free to forward this email to anyone else who may be interested.
My firm has made a financial donation to this fund as well as contributed time and resources to this endeavor. We challenge you to join us on our quest.
All My Best! M&M
Being a strong woman is very important to me. But doing it all on my own is not. - Reba McEntire
Mary Margaret Walker (M&M) - PLEASE don't call me Mary! Mary-Margaret.com Recruiting & Business Services "We're Playing for A Living...Shouldn't You?"
www.mary-margaret.com
I think I'll make a few posts on WomenGamers.com and get some feedback there too.
#11
Well I posted an opinion poll along with a forum post to get some feedback. Also contacting M&M and the admin at womengamers to see if they'd like to partner with GB. Here is the forum post
Womens Gamers Opinion of Game Beaver's latest plans
So the T&A idea was yours Jay? Well, I liked it. But then again, look at what I just did. The join the revolution buttons are awesome!
08/30/2004 (4:54 pm)
Hey Womens Gamers is on Cafe Press too!Well I posted an opinion poll along with a forum post to get some feedback. Also contacting M&M and the admin at womengamers to see if they'd like to partner with GB. Here is the forum post
Womens Gamers Opinion of Game Beaver's latest plans
So the T&A idea was yours Jay? Well, I liked it. But then again, look at what I just did. The join the revolution buttons are awesome!
Torque Owner Jeremy Alessi