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

When you've worked at ScreenBurn for a while, you tend to notice a good thing when you see it. Well, ScreenBurn at SXSW has found just that and is proud to announce the 2010 ScreenBurn at SXSW Arcade Presentation + Music Stage Sponsor: Massive Black!

Massive Black is a full production artwork and asset outsourcing studio that has contributed to more than 85 projects for multiple video game platforms, film, print, toys, comics and more. The company has set up the ultimate stage at ScreenBurn at SXSW as the hangout spot for creatives. Check out the live digital and traditional art demonstrations happening all day long, and when the day turns to night, stop by Massive Black's evening event, “Visions,” at the Mohawk for a one-of-a-kind multimedia event combining cutting-edge, live, digital, and traditional art performances from the top film, video game, and classically trained artists.

You simply couldn't ask for more in a sponsorship with all that Massive Black is bringing to this year's event. ScreenBurn at SXSW is gearing up for another great year of video game madness: Check out the evening event lineup and prepare for a memorable time at ScreenBurn!

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

Party animals, night owls, movers and shakers, ScreenBurn at SXSW is proud to announce this year's lineup of evening events set to light your nights on fire! Prepare yourself for a diverse mix of exciting entertainment when the programming panels and ScreenBurn Arcade whet your appetite for networking, socializing and partying!

Jump right into the scene at the popular live music venue the Mohawk for “Visions,” a one-of-a-kind multimedia event combining cutting-edge, live, digital, and traditional art performances from the top film, video game, and classically trained artists in the art world. Or head on down to “Dorkbot,” a science fair with free beer sponsored by SXSW Interactive, the International Game Developer's Association of Austin, Mr. Data, Ricochet Labs, and the Digital Media Council. Businesses, organizations, and gaming groups alike can get in on the action and throw their own event by getting involved in the event process!

With so much happening in such a small amount of time, ScreenBurn at SXSW is more than happy to guide you to your next destination this March. Don’t leave these panels and evening events hanging: sign up today!

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!

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!

Bleeps, blips and bloops surely it was not. Well, at least not entirely as Video Games Live, the interactive musical/concert experience, zapped into Austinites' minds Sunday night at the Long Center for the Performing Arts. Game composers and creative minds behind the concert Tommy Tallarico and Jack Wall, along with the Austin Symphony Orchestra, brought some of the most acclaimed video game series together for one night of musical genius, discussion, and entertainment – much to the delight of the sold-out venue.

Metroid, Halo, Mario, Civilization, World of Warcraft, and even the Metal Gear series were some of the many notable highlights, each of them garnering high volumes of eardrum shattering applause. Live action segments were also incorporated in the video game rock show with Tommy Tallarico dressing up as Solid Snake from Metal Gear, even going as far as bringing with his Snake's most formidable weapon – the infamous cardboard box. Contests were also embedded into the experience as a lucky (or unlucky? You decide.) member of the audience was tasked with beating a high score set on the popular shooter Space Invaders, but with a catch – the gamer was literally the spaceship, wearing a special shirt
that allowed him to translate his movements to the big screen. You haven't seen anything until you see a middle-aged man run back and forth across the stage attempting to blast aliens in the hopes of winning the gaming prize. Let's just say he didn't get that prize.

But talking about Video Games Live certainly doesn't do the interactive musical experience justice; it's really a lot more and Tallarico know this too. “It's about making people see and realize that video games have become a culture and an art form, not just something negative that many people label it nowadays,” Tallarico said before starting with a song from Chrono Cross, an exclusive treat for Austin gamers as the performance at the Long Center was also its' premiere.

Culture, art, entertainment, and social discussion – this and much more can be experienced at Video Games Live, which is currently on tour. Visit www.videogameslive.com for more tour dates and ticket information.