gaming lab - how to prepare for an international fair?

Gaming Lab – How to prepare for an international fare

Introduction

On the menu this afternoonINTRODUCTION by FDC, Flega and Startups.beFLANDERS INVESTMENT & TRADE: support if you go abroad by Peter and Peter

2 Groups

Group 1TESTIMONIAL: Fishing cactus by SophieOVERVIEW OTHER FARES by Eline, Dutch Game gardenTIPS & TRICKS by Thibaut, Startups.be

Group 2PITCHING WORKSHOP by Annick Colman

After the coffeebreak we switch groups

FLEGA café: network drinks and presentation of their 2016 report

Flanders Investment & TradePeter Bulckaert & Peter Jaspers

MATCHINGEVENTATGAMESCOM

EnterpriseEuropeNetwork

EnterpriseEuropeNetwork

EnterpriseEuropeNetworkVlaanderen• Mission:• Partnersearchthrough B2Bmeetings,brokerageevents,companymissions• Partnersearchthrough POD-database• KMO-feedbackfor EUCommission• ErasmusforYoungEntrepreneurs• Accesstofinance information• Generalinformationconcerning Europeanprojects,internal market,regulations,activities.• Promotional activities concerning the netwerk

MatchuingeventatGamescom

Matchingevent

Matchingevent

• Informationand registration:www.b2match.eu/gamesmatch2016• ForFREEbutyou need aticketfor the degamescombusinessarea.• Twoways to takepart• Developers,investorsand editorscan book and bebooked.• Serviceprovidersormoregeneral oriented institutionskanbe booked bbut cannot book themselves.

Matchingevent

Matchingevent

• Before registering you can checkwho hasalreadyregistered and what they offerorlookfor.• Throughtab“participants”• “Search”possibility also exists• 40participants atpresent.Registering ispossibleuntil August10thso possibly 100participants inthe end• Checkregularly if there arenewparticipants haveregistered.

Matchingevent

SUBSIDIES FORINTERNATIONALISATIONYves Roekens, diensthoofd subsidies, Flanders Investment & Trade

AboutFIT

Worldwidenetwork

Onzediensten

27-29juniExportbeurs

DeExportbeursverenigtallerelevanteexpertenvoorinternationaalondernemeninBrussel(Tour&Taxis).Ukanontmoetingenhebbenmet:• HetvolledigebuitenlandsenetwerkvanFIT;• Specialistenuitdebankensector,logistiekesector,verzekeraars,

voedselveiligheid,enz.;• OnzepartnersenexpertenUNIZOInternationaal,Voka,Agoria,

Essenscia,Feviaenveleanderen;• DeadviseursInternationaalOndernemenvanFIT;• Talvanandereexpertenendienstverlenersophetvlakvanexport

eninternationaliseren.

SUBSIDIES FORINTERNATIONALISATION

Basicprinciples

1. Limiteddifferentiationtowardtargetgroups1. Startingexporters2. Forupcomingcountriesandeconomies

2. Administrativesimplification(from8to4subsidycategories,uniformsupportrates,standardallowances,manylimitingconditionsremoved,…)

3. Flexibility:freedomofchoicefortheapplicant,…4. Radicallydigital5. Costum-madeprojects

Generaltermsandconditions

• Theapplicationtermlimitedevenmore:fromaleast15calenderdaysto7calenderdaysbeforethestartoftheproject.• Possibilityforlastminuteapplications.• ApplicantsmustgenerateadequateaddedvaluefortheeconomyandemploymentinFlanders.• AllobligationstowardsFlandersInvestment&Trademustbemet.• Approvedexpenditurewillbesubsidizedtoamaximumof50%.

Two-trackedapproach

1. Generalinitiatives1. Businessprospection tripsoutside theEuropeanEconomicArea(EEA)2. Participationininternationaltradefairsorparticipation in(or

organizationof)equivalentnicheevents3. Developmentandtranslationofdigitalcommercialinternational

businesscommunication4. Establishmentofprospection officesoutsidetheEEA.

5. Custom-madeprojects:helpsaddressthespecificneedsofenterprisesthatfallunder theEuropeandefinition forSMEs,businessassociations,jointchambersofcommerce(mainlyfocusedongrowthcountriesandeconomies)

2. Maximum4projectsperyear(including aneventualcustom-madeprojectsingrowtheconomies), freetochosebytheapplicant.

1.BusinessprospectiontripsoutsidetheEEA

• Subsidybasedonstandardsupportratesfortravelandaccomodationexpenses.• Largecountriesnolongersplitupintoregions.• MandatorycontactwithlocalFITofficeremains(visit,byphone,...).• Condition“newmarket”remains.• Forwho?:sme’s(Europeandefinition),businessassociations,jointchambersofcommerce(thosewhichdon’treceivestructuralfinancing).

2.ParticipationinforeigntradefairsA. Fairslistedindirectory‘MessePlaner’:• Limitationoftwotradefairparticipationspercalendaryeargone.• Limitationofmax.4xsametradefairoveraperiodof8yearsgone.• Participationinownnamegone(inexchangethelogo‘FlandersStateoftheArt’mustbemadevisibleonthestand).

• Unifiedsupportrateofmax.5000euroforfairsin- andoutsidetheEEA(calculation:floorspace+25%).

• IfoutsidetheEEA:supportalsopossiblefortravelandaccomodationexpenses.

• FairswhereFIThasastand(calculation:floorspaceminus25%).• Forwho?:sme’s(Europeandefinition),businessassociations,jointchambersofcommerce(thosewhichdon’treceivestructuralfinancing).

2.Niche-events

B.Niche-events(fairs,congressesandseminarsnotlisted,...)

• Limitationmax.2niche-eventsperkalenderjaarvaltweg.• Limitationmax.4xsameniche-eventoveraperiodof8yearsgone.• Participationinownnamegone(inexchangethelogo‘FlandersStateoftheArt’mustbemadevisibleonstand/workshop/rentedroom,tabletop,…).

• Activeparticipation(oforganisation)remains(justgoingtolistenisnotsupported).

• Subsidy:aflat-ratecontributionof2500euro.• IfoutsidetheEEA:supportalsopossiblefortravelandaccomodationexpenses.

• Forwho?:sme’s(Europeandefinition),business associations, jointchambersofcommerce(thosewhichdon’treceivestructuralfinancing).

3.Establishmentofprospectionoffice• Officemustlegallybeapartoftheapplicant’scompanyororganisation,• Supportformostoftheoverheadcostsofthefirstworkingyear(salarycostsexcluded).• Principleofthehub-functionremains.• Maximumcostsaccepted100.000euro.Expense-audit.• Officelocationfreedomofchoicebytheapplicant.• Forwho?:sme’s(Europeandefinition,alsolargercompanieswithafirmfootholdinFlanders),businessassociations,jointchambersofcommerce(thosewhichdon’trecievestructuralfinancing).

4.digitalcommercialinternationalbusinesscommunication• Designedtopromotetheapplicant’sproductsorservicesabroad,• InalanguageotherthanDutch.• Externaldevelopment/translations(noownsalarycosts).• Newmultilingualwebsites/webshops, corporatefilm,…• Mandatoryfeatureofthelogo‘FlandersStateoftheArt’.• “Paper”businesscommunicationisnolongersupported(choiceforradicallydigital).

• aflat-ratecontribution of1.500europerapplication.Minimalproofofexpenses.

• Forwho?:sme’s(Europeandefinition),businessassociations,jointchambersofcommerce(thosewhichdon’treceivestructuralfinancing).

5.Custom-madeprojects• Flexibleenvraaggericht.• Custom-madeprojectsshouldnotbeinthelistofgeneralinitiatives.• Acceptedcostslimitedto25.000eurofordevelopment,organizationandimplementationoftheproject.• Maximumonecostum-madeprojecteverytwocalendaryears.• Focusongrowthcountries/economies(listFIT).• Forwho?:sme’s(Europeandefinition),businessassociations,jointchambersofcommerce(thosewhichdon’treceivestructuralfinancing).• DecisionbyCEOFITonadviceofboardofdirectors.

Evaluationcriteria

• Advicesgivenbyforeignnetworkandthefilemanagers.• Professionalcharacteroftheapplicantandtheapproachoftheinitiative.• AddedvaluefortheeconomyinFlandersingeneralandintermsofemploymentinFlandersmorespecifically.• Forlargeramountthefinancialsituationoftheapplicantistakenintoaccount.

Overviewapplicants,initiativesandsupportrates

Initiativessme

LargercompaniesBG– JCoC’s Cooperations

(not recievingstructuralfinancing)

Businessprospection

tripsX X

Trade fairs/niche-

eventsX X

Digital international

business

communication

X X

Prospection offices X X XInternational custom-

made projectsX X X

Support rates

50%(or75%)ofaccepted costs

50%of acceptedcosts

50%ofacceptedcosts

50%of acceptedcosts

Initiatives

SMELargercompany

(=double sme)

Foothold in

Flanders

BG– JCoC’s Cooperations Maximal support

(not receivingstructuralfinancing) ineuros

Business prospection

tripsoutsideEEA*X X

na(standard ratesdependingonduration and

destination oftrip)

Fairs/niche-events

(worldwide)X X Fairs:5.000/(7.500)

Niche:2.500/(3.750)

Digital business

documentation

(worldwide)

X X 1.500/(2.250)

Prospection office

outsideEEA*X X X 50.000/(75.000)

International* custom-

made projects

(wereldwide)

X X X 12.500/(18.750)

Support rates

50%(or75%)ofaccepted costs

50%ofacceptedcosts

50%of acceptedcosts

50%of acceptedcosts

*Enkelmogelijkvoor‘nieuwemarkten’,waaropdeaanvragernoggeenofeenbeperkteafzetrealiseert.

Inpractice

• Applicablefrom01/05/2016• Applicationfrom01/05/2016onward• Newonlineapplication-tool

Conclusions

1. Limiteddifferentiationtowardtargetgroups1. Startingexporters2. Forupcomingcountriesandeconomies

2. Administrativesimplification(from8to4subsidycategories,uniformsupportrates,standardallowances,manylimitingconditionsremoved,…)

3. Flexibility:freedomofchoicefortheapplicant,…4. Radicallydigital5. Custom-madeprojects

Testimonial: Fishing CactusBy Sophie Shiaratura

Going to Gamescom

Sharing our XP

It was our first time²

- First time with 100% Fishing Cactus IP- First time at Gamescom on our own

Our own game

- 25% completed at Gamescom- 1 month from Early Access- Niche game

Why Gamescom? Why now?

- Proximity- Size- Budget- Indie Arena- Beta testing- Feedback- Press- Community

On our own

- Budget- Booth- Hardware & peripherals- Furnitures- Decoration- PR - Communication - Marketing- Business- “Hosting”- Accommodation

Our Gamescom with numbers

- 5 days- 11 hours/day- 9m² Booth- 4 computers- 1 game- 15-20 minutes of Demo- 540 players- 5 teammates

The team

- Tech friendly- Knows the company- Knows the game very well- Talkative is a plus- Friendly is mandatory- English is also mandatory- Dress smartly

“Gamescom is very very very exhausting”

Split that team

Business Booth

- Business contacts- Indies- Press

Entertainment Booth

- Press- Players- Indies

Remember

- Pimp your booth (Flyers, candies, …)- Have enough machines accordingly to your demo- Court the press- Have keys ready- Entertain your players (gossips, making of)- Get feedback- Grow a community- Meet indies- Do giveaways- Dress smartly

Thank You!

Sophie Schiaratura - PR Manager

Let’s keep in touch!

- [email protected] Twitter: @schiaraturas- Steam user: VirginRedemption

mailto:[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]

Overview other faresBy Eline Muijeres

Eline Muijres dutchgamegarden.nl

@dutchgamegarden

@ElineMuijres

Game Industry Events

TitelText

Why go to a game event?• Showcase your game to players & industry

• Learn from talks

• Give a talk

• Meet press

• Meet publishers or investors

• Meet platform holders

• Meet other developers

• Look for talent/collaborations

• Get inspired

Game events I’ve attended

A MAZE Berlin Game Dev Session Prague Quo Vadis

Casual Connect Europe GDC San Francisco Radius Festival

Central European Games Conference GDC Europe Respawn Gathering

Control Conference Global Game Jam Screenshake

E3 Incubate Festival Spillkonvent

Festival of Games Indievelopment SXSW

Firstlook INDIGO Select/Start/Play

Gamescom Ludicious ThisHappened

Game City PAX East Unite Europe

Game in the City Playful Arts Festival

INDIGO & Control Conference

• Showcase open to everyone and free

• Belgian developers can join! (deadline August 19)

• Easy for beginners

27 & 28 September, Utrecht

• International speakers

• Both AAA & indie talks

• Low price

• Close to Belgium

• Mostly Dutch press

UniteJune, Amsterdam


• Lots of Unity people


• Mostly developers

IndievelopmentMay, Utrecht


• Indie expo

• Cheap


• Mostly students and indie developers

• Not a lot of business, but great talks

FirstlookOctober, Utrecht

• Lots of young (hardcore) players from Benelux

• 10,000 - 20,000 visitors


• Mostly AAA, they have special rates for indies

• No business or press

GamescomAugust, Cologne

• Lots of players

• 300k - 400k visitors


• AAA & indie

• Indie Arena

• Business area

• CROWDED

GDC EuropeAugust, Cologne


• Relatively expensive

• Just before Gamescom

• Mostly developers

RespawnAugust, Cologne


• Great party

• Just before Gamescom

• Mostly (indie)developers

Quo VadisApril, Berlin

• Berlin Games Week


• Lots of business people (investors, publishers, services)

• Indie showcase

A MAZEApril, Berlin

September, Johannesburg • Berlin Games Week

• Celebration of games as an art


• Lots of indies

• Alternative, experimental art games

• Great parties

• No business

Casual Connect EuropeFebruary, Berlin


• Lots of business people (mobile, monetization, services)

• Nice indie showcase (plus awards)

• Large focus on F2P games

EGXSeptember, Birmingham

• Lots of gamers

• 75k visitors

• Both AAA & indie

• Major publishers, lot of press

Game CityOctober, Nottingham

• Art festival


• Lots of indies

• Alternative, experimental art games

• Great parties

• Usually some press (Guardian)

• No business

GDC San Francisco

• Lots of publishers, press, developers

• Indie showcases

• Parties are important!

• Don’t waste your time going to talks

• Plan meetings around 6 weeks in advance

More tips: http://www.gamasutra.com/blogs/ElineMuijres/20160225/266607/Practical_tips_to_make_the_most_out_of_your_first_GDC.php

http://www.gamasutra.com/blogs/ElineMuijres/20160225/266607/Practical_tips_to_make_the_most_out_of_your_first_GDC.php

E3June, Los Angeles

• All business event

• Focus on AAA

• Lots of press (they will be busy with AAA)

• Indiecade or Indie MEGABOOTH

PAXJanuary, San Antonio - April, Boston - August, Seattle - November, Melbourne

• Lots of gamers

• around 100k visitors

• Both AAA & indie

• Indie MEGABOOTH

• Major publishers, lot of press & youtubers

• VIP dinners

SXSWMarch, Austin

• Music, film, interactive

• Games Expo (lots of indies)


• Games expo is free, so lot of families

• Not a lot of press or other business

Tokyo Game ShowSeptember, Tokyo

• Huge in Japan

• Lots of Japanese publishers want to bring Western games to the market

• Don’t go there without a translator. People don’t speak English!

• Hard to do business if you don’t know what you’re doing

European Game Conferences

Barcelona Game Lab Barcelona JuneCentral European Games Conference

Vienna February

Game Dev Session Prague November

GIC Poznan Poznan October with huge Game Arena

Ludicious Zürich January

Nordic Game Malmö May

REBOOT Develop Croatia April

Sweden Game Conference Skövde September

General event tips• Pitch your game in 2-3 sentences.

• Always have your game (or a video) with you.

• Take at least 300 business cards with you (put some in your wallet too!).

• Take people seriously, treat them equally.

• Drink water. Take some deodorant & mints with you.

• Don’t hang with people from your own country.

• No party invite? Hotel lobbies are the best!

Showcasing your game• Actively invite people to play your game!

• Give away flyers or goodies (buttons, stickers)

• Look up rules of event (food or selling keys/merchandise allowed?)

• Mobile game? Hook it up to a big screen. Be visible!

• Make a special event demo of your game (5min)

• Have people subscribe to your newsletter

• Be creative with your booth

Low budget?• Indiecouch! indiecouch.org

• Share Airbnb with other developers

• Share booth with other game

• Apply for funds and scholarships

• Apply for awards

Thank you!

@dutchgamegarden

@ElineMuijres

Tips & Tricks to prepare yourselfBy Thibaut Claus

TimetableGamescom for Tradevisitors• August5,isfor trade visitors and themediabusinessarea: businessarea(halls2-4)

Wednesday,August17,2015* 9:00a.m.- 7:00p.n.

Thursday,August18,2015 9:00a.m.- 8:00p.m.

Friday,August19,2015 9:00a.m.- 8:00p.m.

Publicarea: entertainmentarea(Halls5-10)

Thursday,August18,2015 10:00a.m.- 8:00p.m.

Friday,August19,2015 10:00a.m.- 8:00p.m.

Saturday,August20,2015 09:00a.m.- 8:00p.m.

Sunday,August21,2015 09:00a.m.- 6:00p.m.

Programme

• B2B:17-19thAugust• Beercafe :17th@5pm

Your Mission

• Whoareyou?• Whatisyourstartupallabout?• Whatisyourambition?• WhydidyouapplytoTNW?• Whatdoyouexpectfromtheconference?• Whodoyouwanttomeetthere?• Whatisyourexpierence inpitching?Training?• Whatisyourbusinessmodel?

Figures

• Extensivesupportfromtheentiregamingindustry,frombiginternationalpublisherstosmallcountry-specificbrands

• Gamingcommunityfromdeveloperstopublishersandpresstospecialistretailersandconsumers

• 350,000visitorsfrom88countriesplayfullydiscoverednewworlds

• Over37,500tradevisitors

HallplanofCologneExhibitionCentre

Thebooth

• Flatscreen toshowdemo’s• Meetingplace

• In2015

• In2016

BusinessAreaGamescom isoptimallyorganizedtoreceivetradevisitors:Therelaxedandexclusiveambienceofthebusinessareagivesyoutheopportunitytotakeadvantageofthetradefairforyourpersonalbusinesssuccess.

Tradevisitortargetgroups• Whichtargetgroupsisthegamescom aimedat?Allthosewhoaresignificantforsuccessfulbusinessinthegamessector:allkindsoftrade,buyersandsuppliersaswellasContentProvider,DeveloperandPublisher,tonamejustthemainones.

• Withthelatestinnovationsandpremieresgamescom istheworld'slargesttradefairandeventhighlightforinteractivegamesandentertainment.

Sectors• ContentProvider• Developer• Service• Retailtrade• Wholesaletrade• Manufacturer/productioncompany• Onlinetrading• Publisher• Mailorder trade

Getthemostoutofaconference!

“Want to know the best way to waste your company’s time

and money? Go to a conference without having

any goals.”


• Mostcommongoals:Learn/report,meetpeople/extendnetwork,closedeals,recruit

• Informalinteractionscanbemoreinterestingthansessions=>connecting&plan

• Golunch/dinnerwithsuspects/prospects• Takenotesatconferencesorafterameeting• Don’twaitonthebooth=>beproactive&standup(booth&out)


DON’TCHATwitheachothersSTANDUP

DON’TLEAVEThebooth

BEPROACTIVE

STANDUP

• Mostofyour(potential)competitors/suppliersarethere

• Havedifferentpitches(salesvsinvestor;short[30sec]vsaverage[1min]vslong[2min])

• Have(a)list(s)of– companies/people(function/title)youwanttomeet– “Activities”youwanttoattend– Questionsyouwanttoaddress

• Beproactiveandstandup• UseTwitterashooker


• Mostcommongoals:Learn/report,meetpeople/extendnetwork,closedeals,recruit

• Informalinteractionscanbemoreinterestingthansessions=>connecting&plan

• Don’twaitonthebooth=>beproactive(booth&out)

• Golunch/dinnerwithsuspects/prospects• Takenotesatconferencesorafterameeting


• Prepareyourquestions,goodies(ifany)• Businesscardsassupport(segmentpeople/cy/features,followup,…)

• Don’thookthemwithademobutwithapitch


“Luck iswhat happens when preparationmeets opportunity”

Seneca

• Fewdaysbeforeyourtravel,closeallyourworktofocusontheconference

• Prepare!Prepare!Prepare!• During/afterTNW;Followup!


• Accommodation(s)• SenduslogoEPS,twolinespitches,tags,contacts–Wewillprovideapitchdeckbasedonreceivedinfo

– ThesePitchDeckswillbesentto press andcontacts you wantto meet

• Pressrelease• USK

Lastchecks

Contact

• PublicVisitorsTel.+491806089999TradeVisitorsTel.+491806016015

• [email protected]

ContactProjectManager• TimEndres

Tel.+49221821-3894• Writee-mail

Exhibitor• NikolaFunk

SalesManagerExhibitorsTel.+49221821-2880Writee-mail

• PiaSchulzSalesManagerExhibitorsTel.+49221821-3311

• Writee-mail

• ChristinaRennerProjectAssistantTel.+49221821-3253

• Writee-mail

DirectMarketing• Björn Remmel

DirectMarketingManagerTel.+491806089999Writee-mail

Press• Accreditation-teamgamescom

Tel.+49221821-3950Fax+49221821-3544

• Writee-mail

• KathrinMünkerCommunicationsManagerTel.+49221821-2528

• Writee-mail•

ContactAdvertising• ClaudiaSchiefer

CommunicationsManagerTel.+49221821-2367Fax+49221821-3544

• Writee-mail

• MichaelaRoggendorfCommunicationsServices(Advertising)Tel.+49221821-2624Fax+49221821-3454

• Writee-mail

HotelService• Ingeborg Baumhögger

HotelServiceTel.+49221821-2370

• Writee-mail

• NoraWitteCommunicationsServicesTel.+49221821-3082Fax+49221821-3544

• Writee-mail

• DanielSchmidCommunicationsServices(PR)Tel.+49221821-2333

• Writee-mail

Supportingprogramme• LauraEnderes

EventManagerTel.+49221821-3214

• Writee-mail

Appendix

Events

• Indoorevents• Outdoorevents• Family&friends• Cityfestival• Cosplay village• Campus

Indoorevents

• Rcdriftgames

• Lasergame

Outdoorevents

Familyand friends

• HeadisTable tenniswith your head

• “EvangelischeJugend”comogne meets gamescom

• Retrogaming

Cityfestival• Atthisyear’seditionyoucanlookforwardtoalargeamount

offun.Youwillbeabletoexperiencemusicandentertainmentonthestages!

• Subjecttochange!

Cosplay village

Campus• Speakers’CornerSpeakers’corneroffersexcitingspeeches,discussions,presentationsandshowedallaboutmediapedagogy,theprotectionofminorsandofcourse,games.

• Gamescom jobsand careers

Flega café: networking & report 2016