Don't forget: Online registration for GDC Next ends today! Conference organizers are highlighting a selection of talks on designing for mobile devices, including Disney's Where's My Water? designer Tom Smith on holistic content design, The Silent Age's Thomas Ryder on minimalist design, and University of Michigan's Sean Petty on accessibility concerns for visually rich apps.
GDC Next will take place alongside the App Developers Conference on November 5th-7th, 2013 at the Los Angeles Convention Center. The new event aims to highlight the future of video game development, with session tracks organized around 'Next Generation Game Platforms', 'Free To Play & New Business Models', and 'Smartphone & Tablet Games', as well as cloud and indie game tracks.
Disney Mobile's level designer Tom Smith will discuss in 'Where's My Flow? Holistic Content Design' how creatively organizing content throughout your game is critical to its overall success. Along the way, he'll be taking cues from some of the hit mobile titles he's been involved with, including Where's My Water? and Where's My Perry?.
Point-and-click adventure game The Silent Age (pictured) from House on Fire was tailor-made for mobile devices. Designer Thomas Ryder will share how his team overcame challenges of its unique approach to interaction design, sound, and more in 'Minimalist Game Design for Mobile Devices.'
Also, those who want to expand their mobile audience will want to hear Sean Petty's "5 Guidelines of Accessible Design" in 'Mouth Sticks to Full Control: Accessibility Concerns for Visually Rich Mobile Applications.' The University of Michigan graphics engine programmer and lead developer of SCI-Hard will discuss common issues that those with motor impairment face when using mobile applications, and he will explain how to design with these accessibility concerns in mind.
Be sure to check out the GDC Next Session Scheduler to see the other announced talks and begin your planning, or check out this round-up for can't-miss talks on the newest tech including PS4 and Xbox One, the issues of monetization and retention for F2P games, the rise and future of eSports, and GDC Next 10's special session series focused on carefully selected, yet-to-debut games.
Online registration ends today at midnight for GDC Next and the co-located ADC; register now and save up to $200 on ADC, GDC Next, or a combined VIP All Access Pass. For all the latest news on GDC Next, subscribe for updates via Facebook, Twitter, or RSS. Also, check out ADC's focus on Education Apps: EA founder Trip Hawkins on his new learning service, Animoca on complying with new online privacy rules, and Dreamkind on standing toe-to-toe with Elmo and other powerful kids' brands.
