PREVIEW GAMING

BY JOHN SAAVEDRA

OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS, the games industry has increased its presence at SXSW, and now it’s a mainstay. In 2023, the festival’s Game Industry Track examines the cutting edge of interactive entertainment. What’s ahead for the medium, and how are new technologies and initiatives going to help it get there? Each of these panels has an eye on the future. Plus, a bit of esports action for FIFA fans!

SPACE INVADERS: CLOUD GAMING’S FUTURE

Thursday, March 14 from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. CT

Fairmont | Manchester GG

Recent advancements in cloud technology have completely changed the way we game, making it easier to play all your favorite titles without needing to buy expensive hardware.

Streaming services like NVIDIA GeForce Now and Xbox Game Pass are bringing major AAA releases straight to your mobile devices and in the case of Samsung, right to your TV, making the medium more accessible than ever before. In this panel, experts from NVIDIA, Samsung, and Ubisoft discuss what this all means for the future of the industry.

REIMAGINING CITIES: CIVIC ENGAGEMENT W/ MINECRAFT

Tuesday, March 12 from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. CT

Fairmont | Manchester EE

Thanks to new educational initiatives like Classroom Build Challenges, Mojang’s Minecraft, is now utilized by programs around the world to engage young learners and teach them about sustainable infrastructure, climate change, and other real-world issues. This panel, led by Microsoft, explores all the ways Minecraft is being used to shape our future thinkers.

EMLS CUP PRESENTED BY COCA-COLA

Tuesday, March 12 The FIFA franchise is an industry leader when it comes to esports, and one of its biggest competitions takes place in Austin: the eMLS Cup finals. The tournament returns to Austin after Paulo “PauloNeto999” Neto (Atlanta United) was crowned eMLS Cup champion in 2022 in front of an at-capacity crowd at Austin City Limits Live. Pro FIFA players, each representing one of the 26 real-life MLS clubs, face off for a prize pool of $100,000, the largest in the tournament’s history. But there’s an even bigger prize: the chance to become the best FIFA player in North America.

ESPORTS ENTERTAINMENT - THE NEXT DECADE

Tuesday, March 12 from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. CT, Fairmont | Manchester GG

The world of esports has matured into a multi-billion dollar industry. And it isn’t just about video game competitions anymore. Representatives from League of Legends studio Riot Games, esports club Team Liquid, and influencer talent agency Loaded sit down to discuss the diversification of esports and what’s next.

DISRUPTING THE GAME: IP & THE FUTURE OF FRANCHISE

Wednesday, March 13 from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. CT

Fairmont | Manchester EE

Mobile gaming is a booming business, but where do the category’s biggest franchises go from here? This panel, presented by Pixel United, argues that it’s time to make the jump to movies, TV, and streaming.

Developing The Next Generation Of Game Industry Talent

Thursday, March 14 from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. CT

Fairmont | Manchester EE Gaming is no longer a niche interest, and video game development has become one of the most sought-after career paths for students entering higher education. This panel interrogates the current state of game development degree programs.

HOW VOICE TECHNOLOGY WILL IMPACT TOMORROW’S GAMING

Thursday, March 14 from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. CT Fairmont | Manchester EE

These days, Amazon Echo Dot or Google Next devices are about as commonplace in the home as a television set. And folks aren’t just using voice technology devices to control smart lighting, order products online, or listen to music. There are now whole gaming experiences that take advantage of this tech. Amazon, Yahoo, Sony, and Volley break down why voice gadgets, and the AI that powers them, are the next frontier in gaming tech.