COMP50 GAME DESIGN NETWORKING EVENT WRITE-UP

EXPECTATIONS:

During this semester you are expected to attend AT LEAST1 Boston area game industry networking event and submit a typed write-up of the experience.

The write-up should be a single page, 12-point font, double spaced.

At the top please include your name, name/code of the class, the name of the event and the date you attended the event. Please also include the name of the speaker or content title (like “an evening of lightning talks”).

In the body of this page please describe the event, the content of the speaker’s presentation, and your experiences interacting with the other attendees: who did you meet, what did you discuss, what did you most enjoy about that event?

The purpose of attending such events is to provide a professional context for the work in this course and to gain experience communicating as peers with professional industry members. You are encouraged to talk to people there, so if you bring a friend, try not to spend all evening talking to just them.

Our main game industry monthly events include:

  • Women in Games: Open to all, safe space, Cambridge
  • Boston Unity Group: Talks about the Unity3D game engine, Cambridge
  • Boston Post Mortem: Bigger game company talks, Cambridge
  • Boston Indies: Smaller game company talks, Boston
  • Boston VR: Talks about virtual reality projects, Cambridge
  • Boston Unreal:Talks about the Unreal game engine, Boston
  • Game Makers Guild: Tabletop game development, Boston

Here is a reasonably comprehensive list of monthly, weekly and annual game industry related events in the Boston area:

(see more, next page)
HOW TO NETWORK:

What do I say?:If you are not accustomed to speaking to strangers at a networking event, it can be intimidating. Consider these questions to start/continue conversations: What do they do (artist, programmer, audio, project manager, student)? What tools do they use? Where are they working, how long have they been there, what do they like best about it (stay positive!)? Have they been to other of these events? Alternatively, bring up something cool/relevant you have read (bring something to the conversation!).

Can I ask for a Job?:Typically the etiquette of these events is to not ask strangers for jobs or internships, unless they stand up and announce they are seeking people. These events are for patiently making connections and building relationships.

Do I have to bring business cards?: No, but it would help you to make connections.

What do I do if someone gives me their business card?: Thank them! It is an act of trust for someone to give you there card. Take it with two hands and look at it before putting it away in a respectful place.

Once the conversation is over, find a discreet place to write notes on the card back: what you talked about, when and where you met them.

Once you are home (and before you forget), type answers to the following questions before emailing your new contact:

  1. What is the name, position, and contact info of the contact?
  2. What was the event where you met (event name, date, and location)?
  3. Is the card personal or from a company? How are they presented?
  4. Describe the person--what you remember of their manner, dress, presence.
  5. Describe your interaction--how did it start, what did they say, what did you say--what can you use in an email to generate questions for your next contact?
  6. Type a follow-up email to the new contact. You may use thefollowing general outline or design your own, but keep the message SHORT and include a question in order to continue the conversation and grow the connection. Proof-read your letter multiple times for grammar and spelling and then send it within 2-3 days of the event:

Dear/ Hello/ Hi [name of contact],

It was [a pleasure, good, nice] to meet you at [the event, the day: "last Wednesday"]. I was very interested to hear about [something they said, like about the tools they use]. Can you tell me [more about this thing they talked about]?

Thanks for your time/ Best/ Thanks/etc.,

[your name]

[Your industry title, such as“Programmer,” “Composer,” "Artist," etc]

[your contact info, in case they lost your card]