Global Game Development

The Chinese game industry has developed beyond agent and outsourcing models. With the export of Chinese game products growing at an accelerated pace, now is the time to consider how to further internationalize and enhance cross border collaborations to capture these market opportunities. Whether it is the export of Chinese games or the localization of overseas games, the unique cultural, geographical, legal, channel, and competitive landscapes and user behavior are all important considerations that will make or break your product. GDC China's Global Game Development track will focus on these discussion topics and more. Join us by submitting your ideas and thoughts on Global Game Development.

Check back soon for more information on 2010 sessions.

Session Highlights from GDC China 2009

Evolving International Partnerships – from Outsourcing to Exporting
Speaker: Aaron Pulkka (Director of Production, Activision Publishing)
Description: Game developers in China have been successfully working with overseas publishers to create art assets or develop full games designed by their partners, while games created in China were traditionally only launched within the Chinese market. Now the opportunities for global development cooperation are expanding with games designed in China being exported internationally. This session explores what international publishers are looking for now, what kinds of partnerships have worked well so far, which types of games and business models are proving successful, and what challenges lie ahead as relationships between Chinese developers and international publishers evolve from outsourcing to exporting.

Alice 2 - A Case Study of Global Development in China
Speaker: American McGee (Founder and Senior Creative Director, Spicy Horse)
Description: The current project "Alice 2" of Spicy Horse, one of the largest independent foreign game developers in China, is the largest Western-targeted independent game project in China - relying on talent from over 110 local and expat staff in Shanghai. During this talk. American McGee will shed light on the processes, philosophies, and experiences that have shaped the inner workings of this new breed of Chinese development studio. He will also talk about the challenges and advantages to developing AAA Western games in China, such as culture, quality, and why Shanghai in particular is such a great place to be developing games today.

Iterative Level Design
Speaker: Jingyu Zhu (Lead Level Designer, CCP Games Asia)
Description: This presentation will take you on an incredible journey through all iterations of the level design process. From the starting concept and discovery to a completed production quality mission, the speaker will share valuable tips and tools of the trade that will inspire the inner creative genius in you.

Must Haves and Pitfalls in Publishing Games into Western Markets
Speakers: Susan Yoon Choe (Chairman and Founder, Outspark), Owen G. Mahoney
Description: Now your game is ready to test itself in the global games market! Which publisher do you work with? What should you look for in a potential partner to make your game a success in the West? What is happening in the gaming market across the Pacific? To help you make your first steps toward market domination, the leading Western game publisher, Outspark, lead by an experienced team from Electronic Arts, NHN/Hangame, Yahoo, NC Soft, Webzen will share with you the secrets that lead to multimillion $$ per year revenues from the leading gaming market in the world.

Check back soon for more information on 2010 sessions.