BIG festival confirms increase in global participation with more than 60 international video game companies including Sony Playstation US, Microsoft, Sega, EA, Epic Games, Riot Games, Rovio and Team 17
Sao Paulo, Brazil – The largest independent video game event in Latin America, BIG Festival, is thrilled to acknowledge that its 5th annual edition, taking place in Sao Paulo, Brazil from June 24th to July 2nd, is gearing up to welcome a group of world class international leading publishers and developers to participate in the event’s 8-day program of lectures, panels, round tables, showcases, B2B meetings and awards competition. The attendance of key players from the global entertainment interactive industry marks a milestone in the history of BIG and asserts an increased interest in the second fastest growing video games market in the world.
As the Brazilian game development industry grew, Brazilian games have become export products. They are now heavily featured in the international videogames market. At the same time, major international games have become interested in the relevance and power of the Brazilian market. BIG Festival, now the largest Latin American indie games event, is also the third largest in the world. It all began 5 years ago with the first edition of BIG Festival in 2012. Apex-Brasil, the Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency, an institution linked to the Federal Government, was the first public body to believe and invest in the national entertainment industry. Since 2012, Apex-Brasil has also helped Brazilian independent developers attend the most prestigious international events across the world, such as GDC America, Game Connection America, Gamescom, XDS, Game Connection Europe and China Joy.
The Latin American games market grew by 20% in 2016, generating $4 billion in video games revenue, according to Newzoo, with nearly half of this value in Brazil alone. The region is posting solid growth with PC (6% year-on-year growth) and console (9% year-on-year growth) games, but is growing the most with mobile games (56% per annum).
Some of the program highlights include a special panel with Gerard Marino, composer of the epic soundtrack of the God of War series, on June 28th; a panel titled “Women in Games”, presented by Katleen Evers (of 4EversGames) and Kate Edwards (of IGDA) on the 28th; and a special panel presented by representatives of Electronic Arts, Microsoft and Riot Games named “Outsourcing: building B2B relationships for external development”; and more. The complete schedule can be found at http://principal.bigfestival.com.br/2017/?lang=en.
This year, the Brazilian Independent Games international awards competition features 10 titles from studios representing both the United States of America and the United Kingdom. Overcooked, Four Last Things, Yankai’s Peak, Ishmael, The Price of Freedom, Beat the Game, An Afternoon Rippling, Guns of Icarus, Alliance and Nidhogg 2 have been nominated to participate in 8 award categories (Best Game, Best Educational Game, Best Virtual Reality Game, Best Art, Best Narrative, Innovation, Best Sound, Best Gameplay). In total a cash price of $15,000 will be granted and divided among the winners.
Panels and business round tables will emphasize on presenting the opportunities and advantages of doing business in Brazil in front of an international audience, as well as sharing best practices for outsourcing external development in the region. Speakers and attendees include:
- Grayson Chalmers – Art outsource director at Riot Games
- Bobby Wertheim – Senior Content Manager at Sega
- Curtis Cherrington – Worldwide external development manager at EA
- David Stelzer – Board of Directors member of IGDA
- Jason Della Rocca – Execution Labs co-founder
- Joel Breton – Vice-president Global VR content at HTC Vive
- Justin Berenbaum – Team 17 head of publishing and business development
- Kate Edwards – Executive Director at IGDA
- Mike Foster – Account Manager Developer Relations at Sony Interactive Entertainment America
- Paul Hanraets – Founding partner at Gambitious
- Reginaldo Valadares – head of studio Rovio Stockholm
- Rob Laverty – Producer at Miniclip
- Shinichi Suzuki – CEO at Marvelous USA/XSEED Games
- Steve Escalante – General Manager at Versus Evil
- Esteban Lora – Senior Executive Partners and Alliances for Microsoft
- Gerard Marino – God of War composer.
“The caliber of international executives and professionals attending the 5th annual Brazilian independent games festival promises for compelling and captivating discussions, but above all, it will help solidify the Brazilian market place as a leading growth area for the entire video game industry. BIG’s objective is to provide a friendly and productive work environment to trigger business opportunities between Latin American developers and publishers from the rest of the world,” says Eliana Russi, Executive Manager at the Brazilian Export Promotion Program.
About BIG Festival 2017 Edition
The fifth edition of BIG Festival takes place from June 24th to July 2nd, at Centro Cultural São Paulo, in São Paulo capital city. The event is completely free. BIG Festival 2017 has received 617 game submissions, from 54 different countries, surpassing by and large the registrations from 2016’s edition, which were 515 games from 48 different countries. There were 18 thousand visitors in 2016, with 2400 professionals. BIG Business Forum, which is the largest international and local business hub in Latin America, will happen from June 27th to July 1st, presenting the best there is in videogames production. Apart from the business rounds, where Brazilian developers can pitch their projects to players and buyers, there will be professional training through panels, workshops, keynotes, discussions and meetings during five days. The objective is to strengthen the Brazilian games industry, generating new business opportunities. BIG Festival is a partnership with Apex-Brasil, the Brazilian Trade Investment and Promotion Agency, and Abragames, the Brazilian Game Developers Association.
EVENT FACTS
- 5th BIG Festival (Brazil’s Independent Games Festival)
- From June 24 to July 2nd (Monday, 26, is closed)
- From Tuesday to Friday: 10am to 10pm / Saturday and Sunday: 2pm to 10pm
- Centro Cultural São Paulo – 1000 Vergueiro Street – Paraíso, São Paulo, Brazil
- Free admission
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