The Vortex Game Conference & Competition, an (increasingly) annual event, has launched its promotional campaign. i’ve been an entrant in the event twice now, and a very vocal critic of it for a number of years. One of my colleagues said it best: “You criticize because you care, Ryan.” And i do! i [...] Keep Reading

i introduced myself to residents at the Canadian Film Centre Media Lab this week, by telling them about my background making web games for a Canadian broadcaster. i said that after my tenure there, i had over fifty games to my name … and then i paused. “To my name.” i corrected [...] Keep Reading

Quick OMGPOPQUIZZZ!!! You’re creating a registration form, and you’d like to know if your registrant has a PENIS or a VAGINA. Do you ask for the registrant’s GENDER, or do you ask for his or her SEX? Choose wisely. The correct answer is “SEX”. It annoys me to no end to see “GENDER” on a [...] Keep Reading

You may or may not know the name “Nexon”, but you’ve most likely heard of their games. The Korean company has produced the industry-leading titles Maple Story and Kart Rider, to name but two. And although they may not have invented virtual item sales through microtransaction as they sometimes claim, my hat’s off [...] Keep Reading

No – seriously. Why don’t you? One of the most-repeated tips i heard at the Casual Connect conference a few weeks ago was to develop a strong brand. Customers like strong brands. Strong branding unifies all your … your stuff under one label. Strong brands are about striking, professional-looking logos, consistent use [...] Keep Reading