Sandbox, an ACM Videogame Symposium

drew writes "ACM is hosting a two-day videogame symposium on July 29-30 in 2006, co-located with SIGGRAPH 06 in Boston, MA, USA. The symposium will consist of keynotes, panels and papers. In addition, a 'Hot Games' session will preview unreleased titles from major game companies and indie developers."

I'd have some Q's for this symposium

I hope they're relevant.

What is more popular:
More flash (prettier graphics)?
More story line?
Is there a huge market for games that have big story lines but fewer cut scenes?
How about nonlinear play?

Will single player games (or 1-4 on the console) continue to thrive or is the future in MMORPG's?

Re:I'd have some Q's for this symposium

Surely if the game is just to play in the sandbox, the graphics aren't going to be that important. Or the game box is just a few vouchers for discount Tonka trucks and plastic shovels, and if you're lucky an Admit One to the beach.

Re:I'd have some Q's for this symposium

True, but imagine a MMORPG sandbox game. You and your best friend could melt your sister's barbies and blame each other for it when you get caught. An expansion pack could add a kiddie pool until the sequel, Sandbox 2: The Beach is out out of beta.

I have some answers

Only time will tell. But story line has always been around, ever since Marathon:Infinity. Also HL2 seems to answer number 4 in the affermative.

Re:I'd have some Q's for this symposium

I hope they're relevant.

Well the submisison is basically a cut-n-paste from the website. The about section says there will be a Hot Games' session will preview unreleased titles from major game companies and indie developers. (The website also says The pr

I just want to know...

...who's signed up to give the talk on the "Duke Nukem Forever" approach to game development!

Cinnamonbox!

Judging from the picture on the site, they should have called it "Cinnamonbox".

Indie developers

You have to wonder how the indie scene is doing, with big-named publishers pushing re-hases of last year's hit title. Hopefully this symposium has proof that the indie developer isn't dead. You can get some really invovative titles from them, such as Dar [darwinia.co.uk]