Hello, fellow gamers and tech enthusiasts! Pandimensional Studios had the immense pleasure of attending the 1UpState Game Development Conference held at the Albany Capital Center this weekend on October 21st. It was a captivating journey into the heart of the vibrant Tech Valley gaming community where we had the opportunity to hear and learn from local Indie developers, some of whom were just starting out, as well as from tried and tested professionals in the industry. 

The lineup of panels and speakers was a testament to the conference's dedication to offering a diverse and in-depth exploration of game development. The sessions covered everything from the art of storytelling in games to the intricacies of voice acting and the business side of Indie game development. Whether you were an aspiring game developer, an industry veteran, or just a curious gamer, there was something for everyone. If you're interested in the finer details of the conference, follow the link to the 1UpState webpage here. 

After a gracious welcome from event director and founder of Crosstalk Media Anthony Rossi, we attended the "Cross-Disciplinary Collaboration in Game Development" panel. Featuring a talented group of industry experts from Velan Studios, Yurisoft, and Blizzard Entertainment, this panel emphasized the importance of collaboration across various domains in game development. They shared personal anecdotes and experiences from their time working from within their own disciplines (3D environment art, character art, producing, writing/programming, and software engineering), each of them passionate about their respective fields, the unifying theme being the vital thread of collaboration that wove through these different departments. A respectful, open line of communication is one of the most critical and necessary tools for making a successful game. 

The next panel we attended was voice actor Kevin Urban's "Getting Started in Voice Acting." Kevin's insights were informative for those looking to break into the voice acting industry, delving into different styles of acting, the significance of demo reels, and the best cost-effective microphones and recording studio set-ups for working from home, from the Blue Yeti microphone to the Focusrite Scarlet, and from the Audacity recording software to Adobe Audition. Urban praised the change in the industry since Covid regarding the newfound acceptance with being able to work remotely, opening up new opportunities for voice actors everywhere. 

Sarah Lauser's talk on "Leveling Up Your Game Development Hobby" addressed making the transition from hobbyist to business owner in the Indie game development scene. She walked the audience through the steps involved in setting up a sole proprietorship, offering valuable advice on business name registration and tax filing, and the importance of speaking to an accountant and a lawyer to make sure you’re making the right decisions regarding your personal goals for your business.

One of the highlights of the conference was "Designing Fluid Motion and Satisfying Combat in Katana ZERO," the panel by Justin Stander, the creator of the Indie hit Katana ZERO. Stander shared intricate details of his game's design, giving us a behind-the-scenes look at what makes a game truly engaging and how to keep gamers invested. He addressed some of the common pitfalls for game designers and how to avoid them, and the importance of a good publisher to market your game to your target audience. He’s currently working on the Katana ZERO sequel, but he was extremely tight-lipped about any details. Fans look forward to the long anticipated sequel!

Abigail Corfman's session on "Twine" delved into the importance of narrative and writing in games, and how the possibilities offered by Twine, a lightweight game-creation engine that focuses on text-centric gameplay, make it one of the best platforms for creating text-based games. Its intuitive interface and user-friendly design make it an excellent choice for both novice and experienced creators. Twine, with its emphasis on branching narratives, choice-based gameplay, and interactive storytelling, empowers developers to craft rich, branching narratives that invite players to shape the story, making it an indispensable tool for those seeking to create captivating and emotionally resonant gaming experiences. 

One of the most anticipated panels at the 1UpState Game Development Conference was the discussion on "Writing for IP," led by Ryan Little, a seasoned Marvel Studios writer. Little's talk centered on the art of writing for existing intellectual properties (IP) and how to leave your unique mark on pre-existing characters and worlds. He emphasized the need to strike a balance between respecting the source material and infusing it with fresh creativity. Little was down to Earth and generous with his time, happily extending his panel for an extra half hour to answer the burning questions from the audience about his work writing for Marvel and television.

Dane Jennings, the Founder and CEO of Catapult Games, took the stage to enlighten us about his journey of pushing the boundaries of virtual reality (VR) in his panel "VR: Going Beyond Gaming." Catapult Games began by developing the very first true VR climbing platformer, a groundbreaking venture into the uncharted territory of VR gaming. Over the years, they broadened their horizons, taking on software development contract work across various platforms and industries. Their current focus is on developing VR de-escalation training for police and community use. This is a compelling and commendable shift that reflects the company's commitment to utilizing VR technology for the betterment of society. 

The 1UpState Game Development Conference was an enlightening and inspiring experience. It showcased the boundless creativity and innovation within our local gaming community. The networking opportunities, insightful discussions, and exceptional speakers made it a must-attend event for anyone passionate about the world of gaming. We look forward to attending next year!