We leave for Metatopia in a few days! I’m really looking forward to it. I’ll be on a total of eight panels, as well as attending panels and hanging out and probably participating in some impromptu playtesting.
Here’s the schedule of panels I’ll be on, in case you’re interested:
The Care and Feeding of Freelancers
with John Stavropoulos and Ryan Macklin
D006 Friday 10:00 – 11:00
You’ve reached the point where you’re ready to hire some professional freelancers to help you complete your game, whether as writers, editors, or artists. How do you find freelancers, how do you work with them, and how do you keep them happy to work for you?
Working with Family and Friends
with Cam Banks, Kat Miller and Michael Miller
D012 Friday 12:00 – 1:00
The game designer life can be stressful, and sharing the tough times with loved ones can either make it better or worse. The panelists present several good ideas for maintaining your relationships while getting the job done.
How to Work with Editors
with Ryan Macklin, Cam Banks, and John Adamus
D014 Friday 1:00 – 2:00
Everyone needs an editor. How do you hire one? Once you have one, how can you work with her most efficiently? How does somebody become a great game editor themselves?
Publishing Fiction
with Jocelyn Koehler and Nicholas Tulach
D020 Friday 3:00 – 4:00
Learn how to go from premise to published novel from the folks at tiny press Hammer & Birch. This panel will show you every step in the life of one book: from settling on a concept to finishing the writing, the editing process, cover design and formatting, publishing, and selling it to strangers. Some things we’ll talk about: the craft of writing, the value of beta readers, creating a realistic budget, how to do art direction, working with an editor, how to speak Amazon, where to market, how to engage readers, and what to do in the dark of night when you just want to give up.
Designing Games for Kids
with Tim Rodriguez and Krista White
D026 Friday 5:00 – 6:00
Designing games intended for younger audiences doesn’t mean dumbing down. What are the additional challenges involved in making products to appeal to the younger set?
What Goes Into Your GM Advice Chapter?
with Ryan Macklin, Kevin Kulp, Brennan Taylor, and John Stavropoulos
D047 Saturday 2:00 – 3:00
There’s one in most every role playing and story game. How do you teach the art of Game Mastering? What assumptions do you make about your audience?
Inclusivity: Inviting Women to the Table
with Julia B. Ellingboe, Lillian Cohen-Moore, Elizabeth Sampat, & Shoshana Kessock
D051 Saturday 4:00 – 5:00
During last year’s Gaming as Women panel at Metatopia, the conversation turned to how men can be good allies, encouraging women to join their gaming groups and supporting safe, inclusive space in their communities. Join us for more conversation on this topic. Shoshana Kessock will facilitate this round table, populated by our women Guests of Honor and other women from the community. We invite you to join us for a detailed conversation with practical advice on how to foster communities that are inclusive to women rather than alienating.
Role Playing Development from A to Z
with Kenneth Hite, Darren Watts, and Dave Chalker
D078 Sunday 1:00 – 2:00
The designer of an RPG makes the basic mechanics and structure. Then, the development comes in. Sometimes this is the same person, another person, or a whole team of people. Development then makes sure the RPG has everything it needs to be played, and also playtests the heck out of it to identify any flaws that need to be patched. Come learn what it’s like being an RPG developer on games both big and small, how every RPG can benefit from a strong development cycle, and what to look for in game development.
Designer Vs. Publisher: Which Side Do I Really Want?
with Ryan Macklin and Darren Watts
D083 Sunday 3:00 – 4:00
So you’ve got a game. Now you have a key question to answer- how much do I really want to be a small business owner? Is self-publishing really for me, or should I get somebody else to do that job?
