FrontierVille Design Chief Brian Reynolds to Keynote 2010 Game Developers
Conference Online

    
    Key Developer Behind Civilization II, Alpha Centauri and Rise of Nations
to
    Discuss Bridging the Gap Between Traditional and Social Games

    GDC Online Early Registration Discounts End Sept. 1





    
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<p><span class="xn-location">SAN FRANCISCO</span>, <span class="xn-chron">Aug. 25</span> /CNW/ -- UBM TechWeb Game Network, organizers of the Game Developers Conference® Online (GDC Online), will host Zynga's Chief Game Designer, <span class="xn-person">Brian Reynolds</span> to keynote the GDC Online (formerly GDC Austin) in Austin, Texas.  In his address entitled "Bears and Snakes! The Wild Frontier of Social Game Design," Reynolds will discuss the rapid growth and expanding audience of Zynga's FrontierVille and its implications for the future of social games.  GDC Online takes place at the Austin Convention Center in Austin, Texas  from October 5-8, 2010.  Early registration discounts of up to 40% off conference passes end at <span class="xn-chron">11:59 p.m.</span> on <span class="xn-chron">Sept. 1</span>.  Information about sessions and registration is available at <a href="http://www.GDCOnline.com">www.GDCOnline.com</a>.</p>
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<p><span class="xn-person">Brian Reynolds</span>' career has spanned more than 20 years of game development, from the critically-acclaimed strategy game development teams at Firaxis and Big Huge Games, to the  massively popular social game developer, Zynga East.  With a track record that includes such beloved titles as Civilization II, Alpha Centauri and Rise of Nations, his previous games have reached sales of 6 million copies sold worldwide.  Reynolds' first social game, FrontierVille, reaches 6 million players a day.  As Chief Game Designer for Zynga, Reynolds now applies his skills as a designer and programmer to the rapidly growing world of social network games, and with his colleagues at Zynga East in Maryland, has worked to expand FrontierVille, and begin planning a new social game franchise.</p>
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<p>In his keynote address, "Bears and Snakes! The Wild Frontier of Social Game Design," Reynolds will explain how FrontierVille, true to its name, treads new territory by combining the classic techniques of traditional game design with the social gaming expertise that Zynga has gained from their infectiously popular FarmVille and Mafia Wars titles.  Reynolds will also confront the challenges of taking familiar social game models and making them more entertaining for gamers and non-gamers.  The keynote will look at ways that Zynga has tried to make traditional social game interactions "more social." With the massive gains and rapid progress of the social game space, Reynolds will offer his take on why games like FrontierVille are only the first step towards other exciting opportunities for fun games, and why the world of social games is such a great place to work and a promising place to be.</p>
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<p>"Social games are increasingly attracting traditional game developers while also providing key learnings to leverage social features in all types of games," noted Izora de Lillard, Event Director, GDC Online. "We are proud to present <span class="xn-person">Brian Reynolds</span> at GDC Online with a talk that will inspire traditional and social game designers alike."</p>
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<p>GDC Online takes place in Austin, Texas from October 5-8, 2010. Information about sessions and registration is available at <a href="http://www.GDCOnline.com">www.GDCOnline.com</a>.</p>
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    About the UBM TechWeb Game Network
    
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<p>A core provider of essential information to the professional game industry, the  UBM TechWeb Game Network - formerly known as the Think Services Game Group - offers market-defining content, and drives community through its award winning lineup of print, online, event and research products and services.  These include the Game Developers Conference®, the Webby Award-winning Gamasutra.com and network of sites, the Game Advertising Online ad network, the Game Developers Conference® Online, the Game Developers Conference(TM) <span class="xn-location">Europe</span>, the Game Developers Conference(TM) <span class="xn-location">China</span>, the Game Developers Conference(TM) <span class="xn-location">Canada</span>, Game Developer Magazine, Game Developer Research, the Game Career Seminars and GameCareerGuide.com, the Independent Games Festival and Summit, and the Game Developers Choice Awards.</p>
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    About UBM TechWeb, a division of United Business Media
    
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<p>UBM TechWeb, the global leader in technology media and professional information, enables people and organizations to harness the transformative power of technology.  Through its core businesses - media solutions, marketing services and professional information - UBM TechWeb produces the most respected and consumed brands, applications and services in the technology market.  More than 14.5 million business and technology professionals (CIOs, IT and IT Support managers, Web & Digital professionals, Software and Game developers, Government decision makers, and Telecom providers) actively participate in UBM TechWeb's communities.  UBM TechWeb brands includes: global face-to-face events such as Interop, Game Developers Conference (GDC), Web 2.0, Black Hat and VoiceCon; large-scale online networks such as InformationWeek,  Light Reading and Gamasutra; research, training, and certification services, including HDI, Pyramid Research, and InformationWeek Analytics; and market-leading magazines such as InformationWeek and Wall Street & Technology.  UBM TechWeb is part of UBM, a global provider of media and information services for professional B2B communities and markets.</p>
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    Contact:          Brian Rubin / Teresa Tyndorf
                      fortyseven communications
                      212.391.4707 / 323.658.1200
                      [email protected] / [email protected]
    
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                      Ahmad White
                      UBM TechWeb Game Network
                      415.947.6207
                      [email protected]




    

For further information: Brian Rubin, [phone], [email protected], or Teresa Tyndorf, [phone], [email protected], both of fortyseven communications for UBM TechWeb Game Network; or Ahmad White of UBM TechWeb Game Network, [phone], [email protected] Web Site: http://www.gdconline.com/