It starts with an idea and a handful of creative minds, but where it goes from there can be anyone’s guess. Today’s indie game developers face a unique set of challenges, not the least of which is determining which platform will best aide in their eventual success. Video game publishers continue to change overnight, offering developers new tools to implement into their titles and competitive options for extending the game value. With all of these changes, indie developers are left with several unanswered questions: how do I go about choosing the best distribution method for my game? Which platform harnesses the audience that my game is best suited for? How do I fully take advantage of all the aspects that a platform has to offer? This panel brings together representatives from various platforms as well as indie developers to discuss the lessons learned when developing games for traditional consoles, virtual worlds, portable devices, social platforms and beyond.
Jack Buser is Director of PlayStation®Home for Sony Computer Entertainment America (SCEA) and is responsible for driving business initiatives and activities for PlayStation 3’s social game platform. With ten years of marketing and business development experience, Buser oversees PlayStation®Home activities in the North American region, including revenue generation, content development, management of community operations, and third-party participation into PlayStation®Home.
Previously, Buser served as Director of Worldwide Technology Evangelism at Dolby Laboratories. At Dolby, he drove the adoption of new audio and video technology by developing new business segments for both Games and Internet entertainment. Buser also worked as Director of the Consumer Electronics business segment at Dolby Laboratories where he was responsible for Blu-ray disc technology licensing and driving revenue growth for the company.
Buser received his Bachelor of Science degree with honors in electrical engineering from University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign.
Rade got into the industry in 1993 and has since worked on major franchises such as Command & Conquer, Lord of the Rings, and Blade Runner with industry heavyweights like Sony Computer Entertainment America, Activision, Electronic Arts, and Westwood Studios.
Holding degrees both in Fine Art and Game Art Design, Sophia’s creative and organizational talents have established her as an essential member of the Outso management team. Sophia has now expanded her role to include Art Management, Business Development, Project Management and, additionally, a design role within the company, all part of the Outso Total Development philosophy.
Sophia has worked on a number of successful Playstation®Home titles, including Uncharted 2, Assassins Creed 2, Infamous, Dragons Green, Sodium One, the upcoming Sodium Two: Project Velocity and Lockwood Publishing's virtual items to name but a few. Sophia has been developing for the Playstation®Home platform since before the launch of the Beta version back in 2008, making her part of the team that developed some of the most significant Playstation®Home experiences for both Sony Europe and Sony America.
