About Social & Mobile Gaming: What’s Next?

The social gaming industry ballooned in 2009, due in part to the proliferation of social and mobile platforms, the maturation of micro-payments, and the emergence of virtual goods business models. But what comes next for the industry? Is the growth sustainable, or are we experiencing a bubble? If so, what can we do to keep it from popping? We gather the industry’s most senior executives and visionary thought leaders to debate what the future of social gaming will look like.

Access to the Social Gaming Council is included in the GDC 2010 registration price on all pass types. There is no additional fee. However, you must be registered for the GDC 2010 to attend the Council.

3:00 – 3:15  |  Welcome and Opening Remarks

3:15 – 4:15  |  Panel: The Future of Social Gaming

4:15 – 5:15  |  Panel: Mobile Platforms – Hype or Hope? 

5:30 – 7:30  |  Drinks and Hors D'oeuvres

Panel Discussion: The Future of Social Gaming

Game developers on Facebook and MySpace raked in big revenues in 2009, and many expect the market to quickly double in size. We ask a panel of the industry’s top executives what they think it will take to get there and what could derail the industry as it grows. When today’s 20-somethings are in their 30’s, will they still play games on Facebook and MySpace? If not, who will take their place? Will the social networks themselves maintain their power or be replaced by something new? Our panelists answer hard questions about where the industry goes from here.   

·         Moderator: Michael Arrington, Editor, TechCrunch

·         Christa Quarles, CFO, Playdom

·         Vish Makhijani, COO, Zynga

·         John Earner, VP Product Marketing, Playfish

·         Peter Relan, Chairman, Crowdstar

·         Arthur Chow, COO, 6 waves

Panel Discussion: Mobile Platforms – Hype or Hope? 

The iPhone, Android and other mobile platforms have been hailed as the next frontier for social gaming, but challenges to the distribution, user experience, and monetization of mobile apps have caused many developers to rethink their mobile strategies. So which is it – will mobile platforms give rise to big business the way social platforms have, or will the limitations of the platforms undercut their potential? Can the app discovery process be fixed? Are there viable business models for free-to-play apps? We bring together top executives from the largest mobile application companies to discuss the true potential of mobile games.    

·         Moderator: Jeremy Liew, Managing Director, Lightspeed Venture Partners

·         Trip Hawkins, CEO, Digital Chocolate

·         Neil Young, CEO, ngmoco

·         Bart Decrem, CEO, Tapulous

·         Jesse Janosov, VP Product, Playdom

·         Aaron Wong, Sr. Product Manager, Zynga Mobile

·         Lee Linden, Co-founder, Tapjoy

Networking Reception immediately follows the Social Gaming Council!

For more detailed information, visit the Offerpal GDC micro-site: http://www.offerpalmedia.com/gdc/