'Massive' Event Addresses Future Of MMOGs

Massive, a research summit on the future of networked multiplayer games, will take place at the University of California, Irvine on April 20th as part of two days of technology-themed events. The summit will focus on advancing research and development of game culture and technology, including massively multiplayer online games (MMOGs). Cryptic Studios' and City of Heroes lead designer Jack Emmert will deliver the keynote at Massive, which will feature 25 speakers and approximately 80 registrants from industry and academia. Other speakers include Tom Boellstorff, Assistant Professor of Anthropology, UC Irvine, who will speak to the creation of societies on the Internet, with specific focus on the virtual world Second Life, as well as Robin Harper, VP Community Development and Support, Linden Lab, creators of Second Life, who will address how Second Life is changing the landscape of online games. Attendees will engage in discussions concerning future design, technical and cultural challenges presented by massively multiplayer games, as well as current and future research agendas from both industry and academia, and case studies and future models for industry academia collaboration. Associated events the following day include a presentation on Corporate Opportunities for Multiplayer Games and a talk by Les Gasser on the Ecologies of Games. Registration information and event details are available on the official Massive website.