Author Archives: David Mullich
Going To E3? Here Are Some Tips And Hacks!
Next week is the Electronic Entertainment Expo, more commonly known as E3, the annual game industry trade show held in Los Angeles (and a couple of times in Atlanta) every year. Presented by the Entertainment Software Association, it is where game publishers show off their upcoming games to retailers, the press, and beginning in 2017, the public. I’ve been either exhibiting at or attending E3 almost every year since the event began in 1995 as the most successful trade show debut in American history. However, for some of you it is your first time attending E3, so I thought I’d provide you some tips and hacks to make your experience a successful one.
General Hacks
- Many of the bigger game companies hold their own press conferences and other events days before the official start of E3. Your E3 pass does not get you into these events, and unless you are a member of the press or in the industry, it can be tough to get an invite, so you’ll have to watch online. Be sure to follow E3 news at least a week before the start of the show to find out when these events are being broadcast so that you won’t miss them.
- E3 has no dress code so you can wear casual clothes. But if you’re there for networking or business, dress the part. That doesn’t mean you have to wear a suit, but avoid looking like a Comic-Con attendee.
- Parking at the Los Angeles Convention Center can be $20 or more and usually fills up by mid-morning. The off-site parking can also be very expensive, but becomes more affordable the further you are from the Convention Center, although that can mean a long walk. I usually leave my car at work at Hollywood, and take the subway to the Convention Center.
- There are plenty of games to play at the show, but they aren’t going to be the upcoming big releases. Those are typically demonstrated for you in a carefully rehearsed demonstration in enclosed theaters that you may have to spend hours waiting in line for. Decide ahead whether this is worth spending your time for. Personally, I’m more interested in meeting people; I can always see the game demo online later.
- Many exhibitors — especially the less-known own — give out swag at their booths. If branded pens and t-shirts are your thing, go for it, but remember you have to carry around that stuff all day. If you can, find an exhibitor who is giving out totebags to carry stuff in.
- Don’t eat in the cafeterias on the show floor. The food is expensive and poor-quality. Instead, go to one of the food trucks outside, or go to the restaurants and fast-food places across the street at LA Live. I usually also bring a water bottle and some granola bars to keep my energy up.
- Taxis are rare in Los Angeles, so if you plan on going to different venues throughout the day, you will have to rely either on your feet or on car transportation services such as Uber and Lyft.
Networker Hacks
- At least a month before E3, search the internet for “E3 Party List” or “E3 Party Guide” for sites that list the parties and other events that are going on at E3. Some events — usually those held at bars and restaurants — do not require reservations, but others (both free and paid) do, and can get “sold out” fast once their announced. If the site has a mailing list or other notifications, sign up for them so you don’t miss out on attending any events.
- Don’t be afraid to introduce yourself to a famous game developer you recognize, but be aware that people are there at the show to work and will probably be too busy for more than a quick hello. Also, the show floor is much too noisy for holding a conversation.
- Bring business cards with you, with links to your portfolio site if you are looking for work, to give out to the people you meet.
- A lot of business gets done in the bar and lobby of J.W. Marriott Hotel, across from the Convention enter. Some people I know set up shop at the Marriott for all three days and never even make it to the tradeshow floor, because they have one meeting scheduled after another.
Exhibitor Hacks
- Wear comfortable shoes, as those concrete floors, even with the carpeting overlays, can be murder on your feet after exhibit all day.
Do you have any more tips? Add them in the comments below!
The Secret To Becoming A Game Designer
The question I am asked most often is, “What to I need to do to become game designer?” That answer to that is both simple and obvious. It comes down to two words. Are you ready? Really? Okay, here is the big secret: design games.
Seriously, that’s all there is to it.
I began designing my own board games to play throughout my childhood — I also wrote short stories, drew comics and illustrations, made home movies, performed magic and puppet shows for the neighborhood kids, and built haunted house attractions in my garage. I was always creating, but the last two things I listed were especially important because game design is about creating experiences for others, not just entertaining yourself..
When I learned to program in college (which, at the time, the late 1970s, was the only way to learn), I created my first computer games. One of my professors was impressed with how I was using the university computer for creative purposes, hired me to work in a computer store he owned, and there I met a game publisher to hired me to design and program games for him to publish. Thus, I became a professional game designer.
So, again, you become a game designer by designing games. This will allow you to develop the needed skills and portfolio to get a job. There are also many resources today that I didn’t have access to when I started — books on game design; free, downloadable game engines; video tutorials; access to amateur and professional game designers for advice. If the best way for you to learn is in a classroom setting, many schools and colleges now offer game design, development, and programming degrees — but if you go that route, just be sure to pick one that has had success with its students actually getting jobs in the game industry.
If you are interested in being a board or card game designer, there aren’t many job openings for those positions. I did know a few professional board game designers when I worked for the Spinmaster toy company, and they all had degrees in industrial design, since they had to be able to professionally design the game components.
Most likely, if you want to be a professional board game designer, you are going to have to raise money to develop and possibly publish your game by yourself. So, you’ll also need to learn about running crowdfunding campaigns, attending board game conventions for networking and pitching, manufacturing, and possibly online sales and advertising too.
If you are interested in being a video game designer, be aware that it isn’t an entry level position, except perhaps on an indie team of other novice developers. More than likely, you will enter the industry at some other position — junior programmer, junior artist, level designer, assistant producer, or tester — and after a few years move over to a game designer position when you are presented with an opportunity to do so. So, that means you will also need to pick up skills in programming, art, level design (using a game engine) and/or project management to get that first job in the game industry (except, perhaps, a tester job, but it can be tough to get recognized for advancement when in the testing department of a large game company).
And always be designing games to add to your portfolio, if nothing else. Just like a programmer is always programming and an artist is always creating art, a game designer should be always creating games.
David Mullich 