South by Southwest swings into full gear this week and we are extremely excited! For the last two years, The Game Fanatics has been fortunate enough to attend SXSW and enjoy the gaming events. This past year SXSW Gaming had a record of over 55,000 attendees. This year, SXSW Gaming will take place March 17-19, 2016. This places all of the SXSW Gaming events during the second week of SXSWeek during Music which is perfect for the gamers who want to catch some cool tunes and their favorite games.
“We’ve been aggressive in growing SXSW Gaming because we believe that gaming has so much to offer the world,” said Justin Burnham, Producer of SXSW Gaming. For 2016, the Gaming Expo will be at the Austin Convention Center as opposed to the Palmer Events Center. The Austin Convention Center is home to South by Southwest Film, Tech and Music tracks. This year’s progamming includes the free Gaming Expo, the Gaming Awards and three days of programming. The team at SXSW are also adding a virtual reality and augmented reality showcase. Anyone can check out this VR/AR Programming from March 16-17 which is planned perfectly for those visiting SXSW for the gaming events. Here are some of the panels we are most excited for:
Sonic the Hedgehog: 25 Year Anniversary
Can you believe it has been 25 years since Sonic the Hedgehog first entered our lives? Join the original creator of Sonic the Hedgehog and SEGA staff to tell us about Sonic’s history and influence. Hear directly from key figures in Sonic’s history about how they have created an icon that is recognized by gamers everywhere. This panel will be held at the Austin Convention Center in Ballroom C on March 19th from 3:30PM – 4:15PM.
Batman: Telltale Unmasked with Greg Miller
Telltale has definitely impacted the current landscape of video games. Have you been itching to see what to expect for their next venture with Batman? We are sure that these award-winning developers  will give us a mosaic back story of Batman and Gotham. Join Greg Miller as he hosts Telltale Games March 18th from 4:30PM – 5:15PM at the Austin Convention Center in Ballroom C.
LINE Webtoon – Women in Digital Comics
We know that comics, just like video games, are not just for men. 2015 has proved to comic publishers that female readership is a bigger market than they believe. LINE Webtoon is a global leader in comic development for different backgrounds. They have over 6 million daily readers and 50 % of their readership is female. Come check out this panel by LINE Webtoon on March 18th at the Austin Convention Center from 12:30PM – 1:15PM.
How Do I Get Into the Video Game Industry?
Are you a developer who is ready to get started on publishing your own games or maybe an artist looking to contribute your style in a game you would love to play? The video game industry is multi-faceted and needs people skilled in various backgrounds. Come see where your future role in video games is at the Austin Convention Center in Room 4abc on March 19th from 11:00AM – 12:00PM.
Cartoon Network: Disrupting with Post Its and Pencils
Are you a fan of Adventure Time, OK K.O.!, Uncle Grandpa or Mighty Magiswords? Well this panel is a perfect fit for you. The artists and creators of some of your favorite Cartoon Network favorites will be discussing their innovations in the animation industry. Learn how Cartoon Network continues to put creativity first to create innovative storytelling. This session will be held March 17th from 2:30PM- 3:15PM at the Austin Convention Center in Ballroom C.
If you don’t have a pass you can still attend free SXSW 2016 events by applying for a guest pass. In case you’re not able to attend SXSW Gaming this year, you can watch them live on Twitch! To learn more about SXSW Gaming, check out the SXSW Gaming Homepage.
