Get pixelated as you dive into the groundbreaking world of contemporary video games. EMP Museum is inviting families and aficionados of all kinds to explore this rapidly-growing industry in all of its imaginative iterations.

From mainstream to independent games, see first-hand how the gaming community is pushing the envelope with new technology, creativity, and interactive possibilities!

Whether you’re a developer, designer, coder, composer, or critic, the game development industry is exploding with potential for creativity and exciting new careers. With so many pathways into this arena, EMP will be joined by partners Nintendo, Pixelkin, and DigiPen to help you learn about, create, and play the latest and most innovative games out there.

Join the gaming explosion, featuring family-friendly activities for all ages including:

• Meet gaming leaders in panel discussions with industry insiders and educators about careers in game making, hosted by Pixelkin and DigiPen
• Learn to design games in workshops with DigiPen and Roblox
• Play some of the latest games from Nintendo in a Sky Church pop-up arcade, including Super Smash Bros™ for Wii U, and Mario Kart™ 8
• Experience EMP’s dynamic, immersive gaming exhibit, Indie Game Revolution, sponsored by Nintendo, and witness the present and future of gaming as it unfolds with a playable look into twenty rotating titles from around the world

PANEL DISCUSSIONS IN JBL THEATER
Monday, April 13, 1:30pm–2:30pm
“Putting Together the Pieces of Video Game Development”

It takes a lot of people to make a big game. From artists to programmers to writers, the roles in game development include a wide variety of options for those looking to break into the industry. Learn how your skillset and interests can be applied towards a new and exciting game job while hearing from diverse members in the industry about what they do and how they got where they are today.

Panelists include:
• Nicole Tanner, Moderator (Managing Editor, Pixelkin.org)
• Zach Aikman (Lead Engineer, 17-BIT)
• Chris Charla (Head of ID at Xbox)
• Katie Chironis (Writer, Her Interactive)
• Cathy Roiter (Designer, Her Interactive)
• Dima Veryovka (Art Director, E-Line Media)

Tuesday, April 14, 1:30pm–2:30pm
“Anyone Can Be a Game Developer”

Lots of people want a future in game making, but don’t know where to start. Hear from university educators about the colleges and courses that can help get you there. Not ready for college yet? Don’t worry. Developers will also talk about programs and tools you can use to start making games as soon as you get home.

Panelists include:
• Simone de Rochefort, Moderator (Video Producer, Pixelkin.org)
• Aina Braxton (Program Manager, Digital Futures Lab, UW Bothell)
• Jack DeVries (PR and Communications, Roblox)
• Jason Pace (Digital Futures Lab, UW Bothell)
• Sax Persson (Studio Manager and Executive Producer, Project Spark)
• Raymond Yan (Senior Executive, DigiPen Institute of Technology)

Date and Time:
April 13, 2015 — April 15, 2015
Noon-5:00pm

Venue:
EMP Museum
325 5th Avenue N
Seattle, WA 98109

Ticket Info
Free with museum admission.

More time to explore: EMP will have extended operating hours of 10:00am–7:00pm April 11–18, 2015.