[GDC 2013 organizers are highlighting special Valentine-themed talks taking place at March's conference, including Dragon Age's David Gaider on sexuality in games, a talk on NPC romance, and Frank Lantz on 'Strange Love'. Here's their message to you!]
It's Valentine's Day and even video game trade shows have a little love to share. To get you in the mood for the March event, here's a taste of the love potion that is GDC.
Our Design track is aflutter with love and lust. We've got talks from Dragon Age's David Gaider on sexuality in games, a talk on NPC romance, and Frank Lantz on 'Strange Love'.
In 'Sex in Video Games,' BioWare EA's Dragon Age series lead writer David Gaider will tackle how addressing or ignoring social issues such as sexism and sexuality in games can affect not only sales, but public perception about the company who makes them.
Frank Lantz, Parking Wars and Drop7 developer and NYU Game Center Chair, will explain game theory (the mathematical analysis of conflict and decision making) and how it can inspire and influence game design in 'Strange Love: Game Theory vs. Game Design.' The talk will especially appeal to those interested in human behavior or the intersection of math and art.
For those trying to find love, Schell Games designer Heidi McDonald will share research on how men and women approach NPC romance in a poster session entitled 'Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Ferelden.' Narrative designers can learn from her 500-person survey how to address "the romance motivations of several types of players at once."
Now that we're all feeling the love, let's not forget how we show it. GDC would like to remind attendees of the event's recently launched Code of Conduct.
For more information on these lectures or others in the show's growing lineup, check out GDC 2013's official Schedule Builder, which continues to add new talks every week.
GDC still offers over $100 discounts to select pass purchases made by March 20th, at 11:59pm EST, with prices increasing for onsite registration. GDC 2013 itself will take place March 25-29 at the Moscone Center in San Francisco.
For more information on GDC 2013, visit the show's official website, or subscribe to regular updates via Facebook, Twitter, or RSS.
Gamasutra and GDC are sibling organizations under parent UBM Tech. Zelda image courtesy of Shadefyre.
