1. Know Your Goal, Do Your Research

Unless you just really enjoy meeting strangers, you’re probably going to a networking event with a specific goal. Most events will have a viewable RSVP list online. Pick the top people you want to meet, and do your research on those individuals. I like to look for things that I have in common with them. It’s a lot easier to break the ice. The whole point is to be genuine, to have a conversation that people want to be a part of. Knowing something about that person helps.

What if you don’t have anything in common? Use the information to ask them questions about their interests. If I’ve learned anything, it’s that people LOVE talking about themselves. Asking specific and knowledgable questions about their interests, and getting them to talk about those things will make the other person feel like an expert. And the best part is that you don’t have to do that much talking — all you have to do is listen and continue asking questions. And they’ll love you for taking an interest.

2. Don’t Be That Guy!

I can guarantee you that most people dread networking. The best ones just never show that fear — and in a way, the last thing you want to do is communicate that fear to the entire room. People display that fear in various ways. You basically need to apply the “don’t be that guy” approach. For example, don’t be the Roamer (the guy who aimlessly walks from one end of the room to another), don’t be the Clinger (the guy who latches onto one person all night),  don’t be the Food Whisperer (the person who projects their fear of networking by making love to the food all night), and don’t be the Drunk. The best way to avoid being that guy? As long as you talk to anyone, about anything, you can avoid being any of those guys.

3. Treat Everyone As If They Have a Blackbelt
Never let your guard down. Anything and everything you say is up for grabs. Everyone is connected to each other in one way or another. Watch what you say and treat everyone with respect.

4. Have An Exit Strategy
Not everyone I meet is relevant or helpful to what I’m trying to accomplish, and vice versa. I used to feel very uncomfortable about breaking off conversations — and I’ve been in conversations that lasted the entire event, just so I could avoid being rude. Truth is everyone at a networking event has a goal — they have people to talk to. After you’ve attended enough events, you’ll be able to avoid the awkward break off, and ask them directly, “So are you looking to meet anyone in particular tonight?” There is always the wave of relief that washes over people’s faces as they realize they don’t have to continue the networky conversation. That releases all the tension, and I’ve always found it easier to talk to people as people after that pressure to network is gone.

5. Remember, You’re Just Hanging Out With People
No one likes networking, so you might as well have fun doing it. I know it’s an easy thing to say, but you have to find a way when your job and your company depend on networking. You need to look at it as if you were there to make new friends. Instead of selling, or trying to make connections, get to know people. To me, that means staying true to my own interests and approaches. Some people are great at schmoozing with large numbers of people. I believe in carefully cultivating relationships with a small number of people. That’s my style, and that’s how I like to get to know people instead of “networking” with them.

We’ve been quiet for the last few weeks with the good fortune of having too much work. This has been a good year for us so far, and we have much to be grateful for. We are working on several prototypes for games that we’re really excited about.  Unfortunately, we’re under NDA, so we can’t go into detail just yet.

We’ll keep you updated during production. Stay dry!

1. Speak! (a.k.a., Don’t Be Afraid to Speak)
You’re in the room because someone in that room values your ideas, your approach, and your sensibility. The people in the room trust you. I know it’s mortifying to pitch an idea that you might think sounds stupid, but there is no such thing as a stupid idea. Be worthy of everyone’s trust, and stop being a wallflower. They WANT to hear from you.

You have to have faith in your ideas.

2. Think Big
It’s okay to present impossible ideas (as long as the idea is relevant to the discussion). A brainstorming session is about reaching beyond the ceiling to find an idea that inspires the team. That idea doesn’t have to be realistic. So don’t censor yourself on that count!

3. Learn to Let Go
Don’t be the guy who can’t let go of his ideas. Nothing kills a brainstorming session like the guy/girl who interrupts the room’s momentum by repeatedly reminding everyone of his or her “brilliant” idea. Please, don’t turn your idea into the overenthusiastic homeless guy in a trench coat. A great idea, presented in a clear manner, doesn’t need to be exposed again and again.

I often find that people who do this are bad listeners (and sometimes, they don’t listen at all). Look, there is never a shortage of ideas — you will have a million of them. This is just one in a million. By insisting, you not only block the room’s momentum, but also your own ability to generate more ideas. Learn to let things go and move on.

It's time to let your idea go. Seriously.

4. Thick Skin
Don’t spend the rest of the meeting pouting about having your idea shot down. You’re basically telling the team, “Wehhh, I need to be treated with kid gloves!” When production is in full gear, no one wants the responsibility of being your therapist and creating a work regime that won’t make you break down under pressure. Don’t create more work for others.

An adult with even a shred of dignity would never make this face... at a meeting.

5. Don’t Break the Flow
Don’t be the guy or girl who has a tourettes moment and blurts out a totally unrelated idea. That idea that your team spent the last fifteen minutes building collaboratively? Gone.

Everyone’s job in a team is to find ways where their own individual strengths, preferences, and experiences can serve the group’s goal. You can’t do that if you’re not listening. Be mindful of the flow of the conversation, write your idea down so that you don’t forget it, but wait to share it at a time that’s more appropriate.

6. “Yes, And…” (or “That’s awesome, because…”)
Any idea that isn’t terrible deserves a chance, so don’t jump to immediate negatives. The room should try to explore the idea’s potential, and to (hopefully) bring it to its logical conclusion. If the fully explored idea is relevant to the team’s creative goals, then great. If not, at least the team has one less option to consider. I’m not saying you should do that to ALL ideas, so this is where a good creative director can act as a live filter.

Always say YES -- even it it feels silly and stupid.

7. No Judgment
I always exclude people who love putting other people down for coming up with “dumb ideas.” It takes a lot of courage and confidence to present things to the group, so the last thing I need is a brainstorming troll.

8. Prove Them Wrong
And if nobody liked your idea? If you really believe in it, prove them wrong. Build a prototype on your own time, convince them of the value of your idea beyond, you know, just being an idea.

9. Final Words
Great ideas are built, not conjured in a vacuum. Listen to your team members (and not just with your ears, but really feel out the room’s vibe). Stay relevant to the discussion. Think big (be limitless with your ideas), and always respond with a positive.

While this event is always a fun (but grueling) experience, there’s a lot more to Gamescape than showing up with your game on a laptop. Gamescape is a free marketing and user testing opportunity (like all conventions and consumer events), and those things are crucial for indie studios to make their games a success. Here are some lessons I learned that helped Pure Bang Games make the most out of Gamescape.

1. Create a Demo

There is nothing more awkward than asking a player to stop playing, and nothing more discouraging than someone playing the entire game in front of an audience. Remember, this is a preview, not the show.

Having a demo also allows you to test specific parts of a game. What is it that you’re looking to find out about your game? That question will make it easier to figure out which aspects of the game to demo. Last year, we tested My Pet Rock‘s tutorial to see if players actually learned how to play the game, and if players left the game before completing the tutorial. Using that feedback, we were able to significantly improve the game’s retention by making adjustments to the tutorial.

2. Prepare a Pitch

You should prepare a five second pitch that you can tell to every person who comes to your booth. This isn’t complicated — don’t tell a story, just tell them what the game is about.

3. Let People Play Your Game

After you’ve given your pitch, let people player your game. And whatever you do, leave them alone! I mean it — don’t tell them how to play your game. The whole purpose of demoing the game is to see how people learn and play your game. You are not going to be in every living room telling people how to play — that’s the game’s job! .

4. Let People Remember You

Give out t-shirts, or any type of merchandise that people are willing to take home with them.  T-shirts are usually the best option, since people love free t-shirts (unless the fabric feels like sandpaper), and it’s free advertising for you whenever they wear your t-shirts.

So, we came up with an idea to host a video game showcase at ArtScape to bring awareness about the local industry, and to inspire kids to pursue video games as a career. And Gamescape was born. It’s hard to believe that it’s been only three years since we created and hosted the first event, but since then, thousands of people have been exposed to the video game industry here; and we’ve found and bonded with many other indie studios in the area.

The third GameScape begins next Friday, July 20th, and we couldn’t be more excited! As the curators, it is our job to help find interesting and talented developers to showcase their work, and I believe this year will feature is the best group yet! We have a game where the controller is a teddy bear, another where it’s an exercise bike, and several really cool indie arcade games. We’ll also have a bunch of old school arcade cabinets for those who want to get retro For a full list of exhibitors, go here.

A wonderful side benefit to exhibiting at Gamescape has been the feedback that we get from players. Last year we left the show with over five pages of notes that helped us improve My Pet Rock. It’s been very gratifying seeing first-hand how happy people are when they see and play our games.

We take a lot of pride in curating the show’s content, and remain very grateful to BOPA for their continued support and collaboration.  If you live near Baltimore, come check out Gamescape next weekend! And don’t forget to stop by our table and say hello!

Dates & Times:
Friday, July 20: 11AM – 9PM
Saturday, July 21: 11AM – 9PM
Sunday, July 22: 11AM – 8PM

Location:
Pinkard Gallery, located inside the Bunting Center at MICA.

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