We’re currently at Gamescom in Cologne, Germany showing off Dance Central 2 in the Xbox booth! If you’re at the show, stop by, say hello, and challenge new Dance Central community manager Annette to a dance off.
Next weekend, we’ll be at PAX in Seattle. If you’re coming to the show, be sure to stop by the Harmonix booth to play Dance Central 2. Harmonix’s Director of Communications and PR John Drake is on two panels, and Harmonix is hosting its second annual Reverse Q&A Panel featuring John Drake, Community Managers Eric Pope & Annette Gonzalez, and Manager of Community Development Aaron Trites. Check out the details below. And stay tuned after the events for more news about Harmonix titles and pics & video from the floor.
How The Hell Do I Get My Foot In The Door?
Serpent Theatre
Friday 4:30pm - 5:30pm
So you're over just playing games - you want to work on them. That's awesome - but how do you get started? How do you get industry experience without having worked in the industry before? Is there one straightforward path to making a career in videogames? Join a few folks from around the industry as they offer insight into nontraditional paths into the industry, resume writing tips, interview strategies, networking, and much more. Find out what recruiters and managers are looking for in new hires as well as how to leverage experience you may have towards getting that awesome gig you've been eying.
Panelists include: Lisa Mason [Software Development Manager, The Nerdery], Sam Houston [Online Content Manager, Playfish - EA], James Stevenson [Senior Community Manager for Insomniac Games, Insomniac Games], Lindsey McQueeney [Manager of Talent Acquisition, 38 Studios LLC/Big Huge Games], John Drake [Director, Communications and PR, Harmonix Music Systems, Inc], Jim Rivers [Hiring Manager, Obsidian]
Movin' On Up 2: How to Make It (or not) in Videogames Journalism
Raven Theatre
Friday 7:30pm - 8:30pm
We are back for our annual panel where we tell you how you're doing it wrong, what you are doing right, and then John and Chris get into an argument about game reviews. We'll drop knowledge on how to get your site or your writing noticed, how to run into the "right" people, and how to just get started in the first place - all straight from the PR folks you want to get in touch with and videogames journalists who have gone virtual unknowns to writing for some of the biggest sites or publications out there. Three out of four panelists agree that this is THE panel to attend if you are looking to get started in videogames journalism or want to get a leg up over the rest of the writing hacks out there. We'll also dedicate a good amount of time to answer to your questions, so come prepared!
Panelists include: Chris Kohler [Game|Life Editor, Wired.com], Arne Meyer [Community Strategist, Naughty Dog], John Drake [Director of Communications and Brand Management, Harmonix]
The Return of The Reverse Q&A with The Harmonix Community Team
Serpent Theatre
Saturday 6:00pm - 7:00pm
The Harmonix Community Team spends a lot of time answering questions about Rock Band & Dance Central, but what happens when they get to question a captive audience at PAX? Part focus group and part interrogation, this panel promises to turn the idea of a traditional Q&A on its head. Harmonix employees will kick off discussion by sharing secrets about your favorite games, unveiling features for upcoming titles and maybe even announcing a new project... assuming it hasn't all been leaked already.
You may be wondering: "What kind of questions will be asked?" and "What kind of cool new things will they announce?" and "Will this be as big a disaster as the time they did this panel at PAX East?" All valid questions, but you'll have to attend to learn the answers!
Panelists include: Annette Gonzalez [Community Manager, Harmonix Music], Eric Pope [Community Manager, Harmonix Music], John Drake [Director of Brand Management, Harmonix Music], Aaron Trites [Manager: Community Development, Harmonix Music]
For more information on PAX panels and a map of the convention center, check out PAXsite.com.