AIAS Opens 2007 D.I.C.E. Registration, Confirms Speakers

The Academy of Interactive Arts and Sciences (AIAS) has officially opened registration for the 2007 D.I.C.E. (Design, Innovate, Communicate, Entertain) Summit, as well as confirmed a partial list of speakers for the event, which is scheduled to take place from February 7 - 9, 2007 at the Green Valley Ranch Resort, Spa and Casino in Las Vegas. Held annually, this executive-oriented entertainment industry conference brings together the top video game designers and developers from around the world and business leaders from all the major publishers to discuss the state of the industry, its trends and the future. Program organizers note that the event will include an as yet to be announced “high-profile” keynote speaker on February 7, followed by the popular Opening Night Party, which will host a number of notable individuals from within the gaming industry. The conference will also include a line-up of speakers and new “power-hour” sessions with three speakers each giving condensed 20-minute presentations about the challenges and opportunities facing the video game business. Speakers currently confirmed for the event include Valve's Gabe Newell with his presentation titled “Half Life and the Struggle for Survival”; Ubisoft publishing vice president Jay Cohen, who will discuss “The Hidden Riches In Game Advertising”; Ritual Entertainment's ( SiN Episodes) Steve Nix with a presentation titled “Studio Survival, One Level at a Time”; and Monolith Productions CEO Samantha Ryan and her presentation titled “Navigating Development Studio Rapids.” Other speakers will include Gas Powered Games (Dungeon Siege) founder Chris Taylor, who will present “Innovation and Evolution: How to be Supreme Commander of the Development Process”; while David Reid, vice president of marketing for GameTap, will discuss “Why Casual Game Players May Rule Tomorrow’s World.” Sony Computer Entertainment Europe executive Phil Harrison is also scheduled to speak at the event regarding an unspecified topic. In addition to the event's speakers, the D.I.C.E. Summit 2007 will also again play host to the Interactive Achievement Awards at The Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, which will be hosted for the second year by comedian and 'Ghost Whisperer' co-star Jay Mohr. For more information regarding the summit, including how to register, please visit the official website.