MAKE TALK PLAY: Creative Problem Solving in the Game Industry During a Pandemic

Hey game developers & designers,

This Sunday, April 5th, we're streaming the next MAKE TALK PLAY on Twitch! It's an all-star cast of local game industry leaders discussing all the creative ways we've been coping, pivoting, redirecting, iterating, failing, and succeeding during this global pandemic.

We'll kick off the stream at 6:45pm, but the panel starts at 7pm. To join, simply click here:
https://www.twitch.tv/anothercastledev

Anyone should be able to watch the stream by just accessing the url, but you'll need a Twitch account in order to chat. Also, there's an afterparty on Zoom. I'm certain it will be pure chaos and I can't wait to see what happens. I'll send out the link toward the end of the stream.

Looking forward to reconnecting with all of you again!
Pat | PVGD & Another Castle

CREATIVE PROBLEM SOLVING IN THE GAME INDUSTRY DURING A PANDEMIC

On a global level, the COVID-19 pandemic is disrupting our lives. The majority of industries will be affected by this disaster. So how is this affecting our local game industry & community? How are we adjusting? How are we moving forward? How are we keeping from going insane inside our homes? Well, let's find out together by asking local game industry leaders! Join us this Sunday, April 5th on Twitch!

Pat King | Moderator
Executive Director at Another Castle

In July 2014, Pat co-founded the Pioneer Valley Game Developers, a group of game design & development enthusiasts in Western Massachusetts. In 2017, Pat partnered with Paul Hake to open 'Another Castle', a co-working space for game developers located in Greenfield, Massachusetts.

Paul Hake | Panelist
CEO at HitPoint Inc

Since HitPoint’s inception in 2008, Paul has led the day-to-day operations at the studio. As CEO, Paul currently oversees the development of all of HitPoint’s independent and work-for-hire projects and directs business strategy. Paul has a diverse educational background in computer science, graphic design, and business, from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst.

Melissa Lewis-Gentry | Panelist
President & CEO at Avalon Lounge & Game Cafe

Melissa has been aiming to open the Avalon Lounge & Game Cafe in Holyoke, Massachusetts this Spring 2020. This is a full restaurant, bar, and game space with weekly events, a huge board game library, and game retail space. While Melissa's main focus is the cafe, she still occasionally consults, primarily in the indie RPG & board game industries.

Epidiah Ravachol | Panelist
Dig a Thousand Holes Publishing

Eppy is an author and game designer known for Dread, the horror roleplaying game that uses Jenga, and his fiction published in the sword and sorcery magazine Worlds Without Master. He self-isolates in Greenfield with his wife—and fellow game designer—Emily Care Boss and their space wizard.

Kathryn Taccone | Panelist
Open Pixel Studios | Co-Founder

Kathryn Taccone's career has been fueled by a strong desire to create games, support teams, and make puns. Kathryn’s vast experience ranges from AAA game titles to commercials for close to a decade. She loves to share her insights with students and professionals alike who are growing their careers Animation.

Elliott Mitchell | Panelist
Co-Founder of Vermont Digital Arts & Boston Unity Group

Elliott has been working on games, films and interactive experiences in Unity since 2008. His current focus is development, technical art, and VFX for volumetric filmmaking and XR experiences. Elliott's indie game, Waggle Words, reached the number 3 spot for Paid Word Games on the App Store. Some other recent works Elliott has contributed to include: Truth or Consequences (IFFR 2019), Still Here (Sundance 2019), The Last Supper (Rag and Bone & Thom Yorke - NYFW), Missions Interactive (American Museum of Natural History), Björk Digital (Vulnicura), The Hillman Project : Styles and Customs of the 2020s (Carnegie Museum of Art Hall of Architecture), and The Leviathan Project (Sundance & Vision Summit).