How Casual Games Will Kill the Console (And Why That?s a Good Thing)
Speaker: John Welch (President & CEO, PlayFirst, Inc.)
Track: Business and Management
Format: 60-minute Lecture
Experience Level: All

Session Description
Well into the video game industry?s third decade, what if we?d be better off throwing everything we?ve learned so far out the window? That?s what John Welch, CEO of PlayFirst, believes and plans to discuss in this provocative, 60-minute lecture focusing a critical lens on the video game industry, the console model and future of the digital living room. In his talk, John makes a case for casual games and non-game media companies as the catalyst poised to transform the video game landscape and experience as we know it. Will casual content marginalize hardware to the point of extinction? Is it possible to imagine a world where the console is dead? Using current trends and citing examples of technology both in development and on the market today, John will awaken the audience to the industry?s new era of game making for the masses.

Idea Takeaway
Attendees will be engaged in thought-provoking discussion of the bigger picture issues and questions facing the game industry?s future. The audience will leave understanding a fresh (and in some ways controversial!) perspective on where the industry is heading in the wake of casual games.

Intended Audience
Anyone seeking to take a retrospective and forward-facing view of the business and content trends in the video game industry. Specifically good for business, senior level production/marketing or media attendees. Those looking to contemplate investment, partner or production decisions in the traditional or casual video game space will benefit most.

For more information and links to the speaker's bio -- click here.