GDC, VentureBeat To Debut GamesBeat@GDC Summit

Author: by Staff

GDC and technology site VentureBeat are partnering to debut GamesBeat@GDC, a game business summit that's part of GDC 2010 in San Francisco this March, including a "fireside chat" with EA COO John Schappert. GamesBeat@GDC, a partnership between Venturebeat and the Think Services Game Group, will take place on the second day of the GDC Summits, Wednesday, March 10. Following a debut last year off-site which included speakers such as Curt Schilling of 38 Studios, John Smedley of Sony Online Entertainment, and Seamus Blackley of Creative Artists Agency, GamesBeat@GDC will "continue to focus on game business and host executive-level speakers from a wide variety of companies, from the smallest startups to the biggest in the industry." The Summit will "discuss the fate of the game platforms, where investors are putting their money in games, how big companies and brands are adapting to the growth of social and mobile gaming, new trends such as cloud-based gaming, and games as a service." The first confirmed lecture at GamesBeat@GDC is a "fireside chat" with John Schappert, chief operating officer of Electronic Arts and a 17-year veteran of the video game industry, discussing EA's move into social gaming and its overall business plans. The GamesBeat@GDC event will also host a startup competition, where judges and the audience can vote for the best game startup. And by having GamesBeat located at the GDC, speakers and attendees can enjoy even more compelling content and opportunities for networking and business. Attendees can access GamesBeat@GDC -- which will be programmed by veteran game journalist and business writer Dean Takahashi -- with several different passes, including a GDC All Access pass, a Summits and Tutorials pass, as well as a GamesBeat@GDC pass. "Thousands of developers are already showing up at the GDC," said Matt Marshall, founder of VentureBeat. "So we’re bringing GamesBeat to them, letting those developers participate in the debate around the industry's most disruptive companies and ideas. This is a win for everyone." "GDC is excited to welcome GamesBeat to our lineup to this year," said Meggan Scavio, GDC event director. "VentureBeat’s editorial content and GamesBeat’s event offering represent a critical facet in our industry's economy. GDC attendees will appreciate the addition of this Summit and the new networking opportunities it presents."