Originally published at www.sxsw.com/interactive/screenburn

The hype train is chugging full steam ahead for SXSW Interactive 2010 and ScreenBurn, fondly referred to as “Spring Break for Geeks” by many of the friendly start-ups who just happen to be planning their own excursions to the Live Music Capital of the World. But don't worry: We won't let you be left in the dust as everyone plans for the biggest gaming event of the year! You must first register to get an all-access pass into the minds of the world's gaming elite as they discuss in their panel sessions what's hot, what's not, and what will rock the industry next.

Registering gets you access to a plethora of press opportunities, from bloggers to gaming journalists who are covering the latest developments in the industry (just take a look in the ScreenBurn Arcade to see a glimpse of the future)! Did we mention that the Arcade is free and open to the public?

With a ton of benefits and opportunities awaiting show-goers, it's no wonder that some details slip through the cracks. Register today and get a hands-and-eyes-on approach toward the future of the industry through panel discussions, press networking, and new technology – only at ScreenBurn at SXSW!

Originally published at www.sxsw.com/interactive/screenburn

Start donning your rocker wigs, sticker tattoos, and glam chokers, all you amateur rockers: The all-star debut of the revolutionary new system Rock Band Network will take center stage at the 2010 ScreenBurn Arcade! Harmonix, makers of the mega-hit franchise Rock Band, has crafted an ingenious system that allows game players to be game makers; to go from rock band players to rock band creators. Gamers can author their content using tools available on the Rock Band Network website.

From there, these small-time bands hit the big time as they submit to a process of peer review on the RBN website, ensuring the highest-quality tracks make it to the millions of Rock Band fans around the world. It’s a radical new direction for content creation and splices the music and interactive industries into one...and it’s only at the ScreenBurn at SXSW Arcade.

This amazing network created by Harmonix will get the proper star treatment at the ScreenBurn at SXSW Arcade, but who says they can't share the spotlight among the other businesses trying to grab hold of audiences? Get involved today with ScreenBurn and learn what it means to be come a true A-list rock star!

Originally published at www.sxsw.com/interactive/screenburn

It definitely pays to play, kids! SXSW Interactive and ScreenBurn at SXSW are donating SXSW Interactive 2010 registrations to Bowl for Kids' Sake, the largest annual fundraiser for the Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) of Central Texas. The game industry has played a huge part in the event since 2003 and has been one of the largest benefactors in the Bowl for Kids' Sake event, raising more than $95,000 for Central Texas youth in the annual Game Industry Bowls. The eighth annual Game Industry Bowl is set for Friday, Feb. 26, 6-8pm at Highland Lanes (8909 Burnet Rd.), benefiting children in the BBBS program. You can participate by forming one or more company teams of five individuals, with each team raising a goal amount of $625 ($125 per person). After that, come on out to Highland Lanes for free bowling, free food, prizes (including those SXSW Interactive 2010 registrations), and an awesome time!

ScreenBurn at SXSW is grateful for the opportunity to give back to the community and encourages even more of the Austin industry to do the same. Register for SXSW Interactive today with the knowledge that not only will you be attending one of the best gaming insider events of the year, but that you'll have a hand in helping the premier mentoring program in Central Texas!

The wait is over! The semi-finalists for the AAA and Casual 2010 ScreenBurn at SXSW Game Design Competition sponsored by USA Network have just been announced. But this is only a stepping stone in the journey of these 20 designers! The 10 finalists from each of the categories will call on their marketing and public relations powers to craft final presentations. From there, four finalists will be selected in their respective categories to present their game design ideas to a panel of judges at SXSW Interactive this March. All of this work culminates in the grand prize of video game industry connections, press coverage, the exclusive Studio SX interview, and a spotlight shining solely on the two winners and their ideas.

Without further ado, ScreenBurn at SXSW presents the 10 semi-finalists in the Casual and AAA game categories!

2010 Casual Semi-Finalists:

• The Unconcerned - Borut Pfeifer
• Athens Burning - Mack Flavelle
• Escape From Planet Zoo - Lance Myers
• The Vagabond - Ashton Simmonds
• Solenoid Slopes - Jamieson Clem
• Electri-City - Rudhraigh McGrath
• Factions - Anders Howard
• Paper Balloons - Kylan Coats
• Zep! - Hadidjah Chamberlin
• Color Complex - Ireti Olowe

2010 AAA SEMI-FINALISTS:

• Overwatch - Rich Newman
• BikeClub Games "Tall Bike Joust" - Fredric King
• Fishbot - Terry Tolleson
• Viva Lucha - Jordan Booth
• Displaced - Michael Braunschweig
• F(r)iction - Tim Willingham
• Grimore - Patrick Cunningham
• Shadow Wars - Patrick Cunningham
• Robot Revolution - Sam Combs
• Magick Sticks Ghost Delivery Service - Christian Sawyer

Originally published at www.sxsw.com/interactive/screenburn

It was a wild family reunion Wednesday night, as ScreenBurn at SXSW joined its brothers and sisters for Game Austin, an annual event advocating and promoting the overall well being of the video game industry in all operations. The Austin Chamber of Commerce, City of Austin, Digital Media Council, International Game Developers Association (IGDA), Austin Film Commission, and the Austin gaming populace were all in attendance to further the dialogue about issues in the industry and Austin itself: how to bring more business into the city; strengthening the video game workforce; promoting educational programs designed with games in mind; incentive programs to convince businesses why Austin is the epicenter of gaming; and benefits for workers in the industry were all discussed. But as is the case with most family reunions, each participant had their own quirks, perspectives, and bragging rights. Just take a look at what the major players at Game Night Austin had to say:

"We have been influential in bringing over 140 companies to the Austin gaming scene. We take care of our customers and want to showcase the awesome gaming climate here. The low cost of entry is one Austin advantage, but above all else is the kick-ass talent." – Tony Schum, Director of Economic Development, Austin Chamber of Commerce.

"We collaborate with regional and non-profit organizations, throw numerous industry events, and market Texas animation and video game talent. We collect data on all these gaming companies so that we can have an information clearinghouse for the video game industry in Austin. We’re always supporting the industry." – Leah Smith, Animation and Video Game Liasion, Office of the Governor.

"We’re here to help with the growth of the industry. We want to help cultivate the next generation of game developers. Basically we’re like a team of Jedi. I’m Obi-Wan." – Kristy Bowden, Director, Digital Media Alliance

"What do you want ScreenBurn to be? The more support we can give each other the more momentum we can build for our cause." – Lindsay Muse, Director, ScreenBurn at SXSW

All of this collaboration and dedication can be summed up by one gaming enthusiast that brought the message of Austin’s gaming family banding together during the Q&A session: "I appreciate that you all have formed a ‘League of Extraordinary Gentlemen' for the industry! Not many people have the chance to have this much support readily available to them."

Congratulations to Tom Hall, the Creative Director of KingsIsle Entertainment, who won a complementary SXSW Interactive 2010 registration at the event! With this much passion under one roof, it’ll be exciting to see the powerhouse ScreenBurn at SXSW will be in March. The countdown is on for tomorrow's January 15 reduced-rate registration deadline!

Originally published at www.sxsw.com/interactive/screenburn

Nintendo DS. iPhone. Wii. It was only a few short years ago that these products and their respective companies were met with widespread skepticism over where they were taking the industry. And now we can't seem to find a sales chart without these three battling prominently for world dominance. "That Games Feels Nice," just one example of the multitude of panels ScreenBurn at SXSW 2010 will offer, will explore the evolution of the touch interfaces of tomorrow and help maintain your industry edge! Or maybe you're looking for an eye-opening discussion on the topic of social media in "Playing with 140 Characters: Designing Games for Twitter," where host John Sharp of Savannah College of Art and Design dives right into the subject of full social media integration. Michael Augustin of Gendai Games, a past participant in the ScreenBurn Arcade, will make you a believer that "ANYONE Can Create a Video Game!" where your ideas can truly come to life.

Stay tuned for more ScreenBurn programming to be added. Whatever your cup of tea is, the batches are brewing, and all you have to do is register! You have until Friday, Jan. 15, to take advantage of reduced rates! Contact Lindsay Muse at [email protected] for even more ways to get involved at ScreenBurn at SXSW this March.

Originally published at www.sxsw.com/interactive/screenburn

Losing weight, organizing your fabulous sweater collection, and kicking that nail-biting habit – all New Year's resolution wagons we have fallen off of at some point. But this year, ScreenBurn at SXSW will make you a believer once again and give you a resolution you can keep: namely, launching your business to great success in the most viable gaming event of the season! Put your new resolution to the test as you meet thousands of attendees that span the gaming spectrum. Everyone from high-profile bloggers to game developers to potential new audiences await you: All you need to do is get involved.

ScreenBurn is the place to connect independent developers, publishers, consumers, digital media professionals, and Internet trendsetters and taste-makers from all around the world with one goal: furthering the discussion and solidifying the culture of video games. With 2010 well under way, it's time to commit to the most valuable resolution you can make: getting serious about games!

Originally published at www.sxsw.com/interactive/screenburn

Does being lazy in front of the television or getting sunburned on the beach sound like an all-too-familiar way to spend your Spring Break? With the new decade comes new opportunities, and now's the time to make your Spring Break plans to come to SXSW and attend the 2010 ScreenBurn at SXSW Arcade. The 2010 ScreenBurn Arcade will host the latest developments in video game technology, important industry figures you can network with, and exciting competitions with valuable prizes. Don't waste your time slacking off during your break when you can surge ahead of your peers at SXSW and have fun while doing it. Want to learn how to get into the video game industry? Eager to get your hands on the next level of video game technology? Want to win cool prizes? The ScreenBurn Arcade is FREE and open to the public. It's the place to learn, engage, and play.

Make your plans now to be at the Austin Convention Center from March 12 through March 14 for the 2010 ScreenBurn at SXSW Arcade. Don't be late to the game!