Sessions at SXSW Interactive 2011 about Casual Games

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Friday 11th March 2011

• Social Games: Manipulating Your Brain Chemistry, For Good

  by Adam Penenberg, Brenda Gershkovitch, Jason Brown, Margaret Wallace and Michael Fergusson

  Generally speaking, there's an assumption that casual games are a waste of time. What can playing a "meaningless" Facebook game for a few minutes really accomplish, anyways? Do I really need to "rescue" another "sheep"? Another point of view is that they're a little bit sinister, manipulating you into emptying your wallet, or giving up personal information. But perhaps both positions are missing the point. This new genre we call "Casual Social Games" represents a fascinating opportunity to better understand our own behavior, and to direct it, intentionally, for our own benefit, and for the greater good of society.

  LEVEL: Intermediate

  • Casual Games
  • Games
  • Games for Social Impact
  • Psychology

  At 3:30pm to 4:30pm, Friday 11th March

  In Ballroom B, Austin Convention Center

Saturday 12th March 2011

• Cheaper, Better, FASTER: Can Casual Games Save Education?

  by Gary Goldberger, Kristy Bowden, Scot Osterweil and Ward Tisdale

  Since 1990, 33 new countries have been created. Since 1990, my 7th grade history textbook has been revised...twice.

  Not only are casual games, like Bejeweled and Farmville, the fastest growing segment of the game market, but casual games are also less expensive to develop, easier to distribute, and take less time to get to market. And they can teach.

  This panel will bring together game developers and game education academics to talk about how the future of education depends on casual games. We will focus on game theory and casual game design, research and evaluation of games and learning, and successful public/private partnerships.

  LEVEL: Intermediate

  • Casual Games
  • Education
  • Game Design

  At 5:00pm to 6:00pm, Saturday 12th March

  In Room 6AB, Austin Convention Center

• Console & Casual Games Collide!

  by Greg Zeschuk, Laralyn McWilliams, Mark Spenner, Ryan Schneider and Tony Mora

  The casual games market explosion was among 2010's top tech stories. How will the space evolve? Some of the console video games industry's biggest developers and publishers have started creating casual games of their own. Others have integrated social media features in their console games. Come learn how both games worlds are colliding.

  • Casual Games
  • Console Games
  • Games

  At 5:00pm to 6:00pm, Saturday 12th March

  In Room 12AB, Austin Convention Center