where students, teachers and game industry professionals come to gather to share ideas and network in Los Angeles
Conference for Game Development Education
A space and time for current students, potential faculty, industry partners and other stakeholders to meet, connect and share ideas.
Join us for an exciting day of gaming and education at the Omni Los Angeles Hotel at California Plaza! Get ready to level up your knowledge and skills in the world of gaming. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced gamer, this in-person event in Los Angeles, CA, USA is the place to be!
Conversations:
Big vision statement about the scope and potential of the LA Game project
Information to prospective students about the Game Development programs at the LA 19 Community colleges and how to enroll
Information about how game industry professionals can see the opportunity to become faculty
Best practices for Esports play and competition, team and league organization
Panel about how to launch a career in the video game industry
Why Attend?
Learn about video game career pathways
Get a regional perspective of LA Game project
Participate in Smash Bros. & Valorant Tournaments
Date
Saturday, May 4th, 2024
Location
Onmi Los Angeles Hotel at California Plaza, 251 South Olive Street Los Angeles, CA 90012
Time
9am -5pm Conference
5pm - 9pm Esports Tournaments, Cosplay Contest and After Party w/ DJ
Panels
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Michael Kline, Game Art Program Lead Instructor, LA City College
As campus lead of the LA Game Design, Game Technology and Esports project, Professor Michael Kline has created a Game Art & Design curriculum model or blueprint for game development education and training in the Los Angeles region of 19 schools, that serves as a certificate and Associate's degree. Join him as he shares this ambitious program and some of the excellent results students have produced since its inception.
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Hikari Oishi, Technical Artist, Obsidian Games, Rio Honda College Alumni
Charles Babb, Producer, Meta
Austin Taylor, Senior Product Manager, Riot Games
Dwayne Sands, Software Engineer, Riot Games
Claudia Franco, Studio Operations Program Manager, Respawn Entertainment
Marcos Shih, Lead Matte Painter, Respawn Entertainment
Interested in a career in the exciting video game industry? Video games are now a $184B business and continuing to grow. Over 700 game companies operate throughout California, about 200 of them in the greater Los Angeles region, including industry giants Activision, Blizzard and Riot Games, as well as popular studios like “The Last of Us” developer Naughty Dog. Hear from industry professionals from major video game companies how best to prepare yourself to be a part of this exciting and rewarding profession.
Student Track
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Moses Wolfenstein, El Camino
Michael Wilde, Lead Game Faculty, Long Beach
Jennifer Penton, Lead Game Faculty, West LA
Nick Garcia, Lead Game Faculty, Harbor
One of the major initiatives of the LA Game Design, Game Technology and Esports project, is to develop a game development curriculum at each one of the 19 Community colleges in the LA Region. What has begun to emerge is each campus taking on a unique approach and specialty in the various disciplines of game development education and training. Join a group of pioneering faculty from different campuses as they discuss their different approaches to this important endeavor.
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DMA (Donna Michelle) Anderson, Founder & CEO, Korgi
Eric T Elder, LA Game Project Lead, Los Angeles City College
As game development programs gain momentum and expand across the vibrant landscape of Los Angeles' Community Colleges, a critical need emerges for qualified instructors to guide the next generation of game designers and developers. Recognizing this imperative, we invite you to join us for an innovative panel discussion focused on the inception of a groundbreaking initiative—the LA Game Faculty Network.
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Joe McAlister, eSports Specialist, Insight
Stanley Cascone, Partnerships & Advertising, Gen.G Esports
Adam Lopez, Higher Education Esports Consultant
Alan Zack, President, Lollipop Labs
With hundreds of thousands of students enrolled across 19 community colleges in the vibrant LA region, we stand at the forefront of a monumental opportunity to define the structure and experience of esports for generations to come. Join us for an engaging panel discussion featuring a stellar lineup of esports experts, as we explore best practices and insights crucial to our journey of nurturing and expanding this burgeoning sector within our schools and communities.
Professional Track
Speakers
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Eric T Elder
LA Game Project Lead, Los Angeles City College
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DMA (Donna Michelle Anderson)
Founder & CEO, Korgi
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Charles Babb
Meta Producer
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Stanley Cascone
Partnerships & Advertising, Gen.G Esports
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Claudia Franco
Studio Operations Program Manager, Respawn Entertainment
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Nicholas Garcia
Lead Game Faculty, Harbor College
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Michael Kline
Game Art Program Lead Instructor, LA City College
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Adam Lopez
Higher Education Esports Consultant
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Joe McAllister
Esports Specialist, Insight
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Hikari Oishi
Technical Artist, Obsidian Games, Rio Honda College Alumni
-
Jennifer Penton
Lead Game Faculty, West LA College
-
Dwayne Sands
Software Engineer, Riot Games
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Marcos Shih
Lead Matte Painter, Respawn Entertainment
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Austin Taylor
Senior Product Manager, Riot Games
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Michael Wilde
Lead Game Faculty, Long Beach City College
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Moses Wolfenstein
El Camino College
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Alan Zack
President, Lollipop Labs
Digital Scavenger Hunt &
Esports Tournaments
Digital Scavenger Hunt
REGISTER & PLAY
9:00am – 12:00pm
PRIZES AWARDED
12:30 pm
LOCATION
Bunker Hill Foyer
GRAND PRIZE
Meta Quest 3 VR Headset
Tournament
QUALIFYING ROUNDS
9:00am – 3:00pm
FINALS
3:00pm
LOCATION
Hershey Crocker
PRIZE POOL: $525
Tournament
4:00pm – 7:00pm
FINALS
8:00pm
LOCATION
Bradbury Rose
PRIZE POOL: $750
LA Game Con-Edu Cosplay Contest Rules
As part of our Closing Party festivities at LA Game Con - Edu we will be having a Cosplay Contest!
The Contest will be hosted by experienced Cosplayer, Luluko!!
Instagram, Twitter, TikTok: @lulukohime
Facebook: @lulukocosplay
The contest will take place in the Bunker Hill Ballroom from 6:30pm - 7:00pm.
To enter, sign up at our Registration table by 6:00pm.
If interested sign up early as we will limit the contest to 10-15 contestants.
Prizes will be awarded to the top contestants:
1st Place - $300
2nd Place - $200
3rd Place - $100
Feel free to attend the entire conference in Cosplay if you like or you may bring your costume and change before the contest begins. Good Luck & Have Fun!!!
About…
Career Pathways program focused on electronic game design, gaming technology, and esports. LACC has developed a foundational game design curriculum (UC transferable for General Education credit) that can be adopted and adapted by colleges throughout the region. The LA Game Design, Gaming Technology, and Esports (LA Game) project main components:
1. Curriculum Development (focusing on Gaming certificates/degrees & delivery format for Esports)
2. Expand the established Regional Advisory Board ( and create one specifically for Esports)
3. Continue the development of a regional Esports Arena at LA City College.
4. Establish the relationship with unified school districts (HS) to establish clear Game Development & Esports Career Pathways
5. Create and implement a LA19 Gaming Conference for our students, faculty and professionals
PARTNER COLLEGES
