For gaming enthusiasts, the BIG festival in Sao Paulo is a must-visit event. It showcases the passion that Latin America has for gaming and highlights the attention that companies worldwide are giving to this fast-growing region. This year, the festival has attracted game developers from countries as far as Wales, India, and Germany, who are eager to showcase their games. With notable figures such as Takashi Tokita, the lead developer of Final Fantasy IV, in attendance, it is clear that the organizers are committed to not only showcasing Brazil’s potential as a gaming hub but also the passion of the local gaming scene.
As video game news bloggers, we are here at the festival to bring you the latest news and updates straight from the floor. From exciting talks to important meetings and big announcements, we have you covered. Stay tuned to find out what the festival has in store. In the meantime, here are some highlights from day two.
The Principles for Creating Memorable Characters
When it comes to mobile gaming, Angry Birds is undoubtedly one of the most famous franchises in the world. What made it truly stand out were its addictive gameplay and instantly recognizable characters. Tom Bernardes, the senior character designer at Rovio, took to the stage to discuss the importance of character design in making a product stand out. He highlighted that there are two types of designers – those born with natural talent and acute perception, and those who have to study and develop their skills.
Bernardes emphasized the key differences between character design in games and other fields, like animation. While games have a more chaotic and iterative creative process, animation tends to be more methodical and strict. Bernardes also shared some concept art for a new Angry Birds character, showcasing the iteration process involved in bringing a character from concept to screen. The continued success of Angry Birds franchise proves that Rovio still has plenty of creative ideas up their sleeves.
Meeting Rockhead Studios
We had the chance to sit down with Christian Lykawka, the CEO and co-founder of Rockhead Studios, to discuss their hit Starlit franchise. Starlit is a transmedia franchise that includes games and comics, featuring well-defined characters that can traverse various game genres. Lykawka shared an interesting theory about the success of free-to-play games in the mobile gaming industry. He pointed out that PC and console games lack a variety of free-to-play options for children and families, whereas the mobile platform offers numerous choices.
However, Lykawka addressed a concern about ad-based monetization in children’s games. To avoid exposing children to adult themes through in-game advertising, Rockhead Studios took a unique approach. They created short films set within the game’s universe to replace traditional ads, which not only eliminated the risk of exposing children to inappropriate content but also kept players engaged with the game.
Unleashing the Power of Tencent’s Technology
Tencent is undeniably one of the biggest tech companies globally, with a strong focus on mobile gaming. Tom Petreca, Tencent’s lead technology strategist for Latin America, took the stage to discuss how developers can leverage Tencent’s technology to create immersive gaming experiences. One particular technology, the Game Multimedia Engine (GME), drew attention for its ability to enhance audio and voice play in games, making them more immersive.
Petreca highlighted the concept of immersion, which refers to the interaction between the virtual game and the physical world. Spatial audio can significantly contribute to creating a realistic game environment. He also discussed two key infrastructure tools offered by Tencent – Anti-Cheat Expert (ACE) and WeTest. ACE helps identify cheats and exploits, ensuring fair play for all players. WeTest, on the other hand, monitors game quality before and after launch to provide a smooth gaming experience.
Public Relations 101: Best Practices & Pitfalls
We had the honor of participating in a panel session on PR best practices alongside other journalists from Screenrant, The Gamer, and VG247. The discussion focused on the needs of modern media, including PocketGamer.biz. Key themes that emerged during the discussion were the importance of clear embargo dates, tailoring press releases to specific outlets, and ensuring the availability of necessary assets.
Furthermore, the panelists highlighted the significance of establishing positive and personable relationships with journalists and identifying the most suitable contacts within media outlets. By understanding which journalists work well with PR representatives, game makers increase their chances of effectively reaching their target audience.
Gustavo Steinberg – An Interview with the Founder of BIG
Before wrapping up the day, we had the privilege of speaking with Gustavo Steinberg, the founder of BIG Festival. In our conversation, Gustavo discussed the history of the event and the growth of Brazil’s gaming scene. BIG Festival, now in its eleventh year, has played a significant role in the massive growth of Brazil’s gaming industry. The number of studios in the country has skyrocketed from 20 to over a thousand in just over a decade.
Gustavo, who previously worked in the film industry, considers BIG Festival as a form of artistic expression and sees festivals as the ultimate interactive art experience. They offer a unique opportunity to involve creators and fans in creating something extraordinary. He also highlighted that Brazilian game makers are succeeding globally by focusing on international markets.
As we wrap up day two of the BIG festival, we are excited to see what the remaining days have in store. Be sure to stay tuned for more news and updates!