Casual Connect USA 2018 has concluded – and with it, over three days of lectures, workshops, networking, and parties. The conference brought out hundreds of professionals from all walks of the games industry – including console, mobile, PC, casino, VR/AR, and online – providing them with opportunities to connect, learn new skills, and gain valuable insights on a range of topics.
Indie Prize Winners
Sixty developer teams vyed for 10 trophies during the 21st Indie Prize Awards at Casual Connect USA 2018. “It is always a pleasure to watch how excited developers are about showcasing and networking – as well as seeing the energy and inspiration that comes from new connections that are made during the conference,” said Indie Prize Director Yuliya Moshkaryova.
-
Best Game Audio
-
WINNER: Floor Kids (MERJ Media, Canada)
-
Stack & Crack (Jambav, India)
-
Orbit – Playing With Gravity (HIGHKEY Games, USA)
-
Rumble League (Lorraine Studio, USA)
-
-
Best Game Design
-
WINNER: Molecats (Vidroid, Ukraine)
-
SIMULACRA (Kaigan Games, Malaysia)
-
AntVentor (LoopyMood, Ukraine)
-
The Raven and Orion (Always Player 2 Studios, USA)
-
-
Best Game Art
-
WINNER: AntVentor (LoopyMood, Ukraine)
-
Past Cure (Phantom 8 Studio, Germany)
-
Brave Hand (Heart Shaped Games, USA)
-
Molecats (Vidroid, Ukraine)
-
-
Best Game Animation
-
WINNER: Bushy Tail (Fuero Games, Poland)
-
Floor Kids (MERJ Media, Canada)
-
Zebrainy ABCs (Zebrainy, Malta)
-
World Creator! (Lionbird Limited, Hong Kong)
-
-
Best Game Narrative
-
WINNER: Bushy Tail (Fuero Games, Poland)
-
SIMULACRA (Kaigan Games, Malaysia)
-
Past Cure (Phantom 8 Studio, Germany)
-
Skye (Puny Astronaut, Scotland)
-
-
Best Multiplayer Game
-
WINNER: King of the Hat (Hyroglyphik Games, Canada)
-
Massive Warfare: Rush (TinyBytes, Chile)
-
Kluno: Hero Battle (Gameka, Malaysia)
-
Imposter Drawster (Up at Night, USA)
-
-
Best Kids & Family Game
-
WINNER: Zebrainy ABCs (Zebrainy, Malta)
-
Pets Race (Kooapps, USA)
-
Drawing for Kids (Bini Bambini, Ukraine)
-
Skye (Puny Astronaut, Scotland)
-
-
Best Mobile Game
-
WINNER: SIMULACRA (Kaigan Games, Malaysia)
-
Corecraft (Retro Principles, Malta)
-
Warhammer: Doomwheel (Katsu Entertainment, USA)
-
Grapple Gum (Ali Mehrez, Tunisia)
-
-
Most Innovative Game
-
WINNER: Molecats (Vidroid, Ukraine)
-
SIMULACRA (Kaigan Games, Malaysia)
-
Floor Kids (MERJ Media, Canada)
-
Vocaline (Flatgames, Turkey)
-
-
Best In Show: Audience Choice
-
AlphaBeatCancer (Mukutu Game Studio, Brazil)
-
“On behalf of Casual Connect and Indie Prize, we congratulate all the finalists, nominees and winners,” said Yuliya. “We are looking forward to discover and support new industry talent at our upcoming 2018 shows in London, Belgrade, and Shenzhen/Hong Kong!”
More than 250 experts and executives lended their talents, knowledge, and experiences to attendees in topics ranging from licensing and legal issues to design and monetization. Ted Price, the CEO of Insomniac Games, was one such speaker. He spoke on a panel alongside Turtle Rock Studios President Steve Goldstein, Skydance Interactive President Peter Akemann, Manticore Games Co-Founder Frederic Descamps, Amazon Head of Business Development Dan Winters, and Boesky & Company Principal Keith Boesky.
Of the panel, Ted noted, “what was fun for me was that I already knew all but one of my fellow panelists – and of course our moderator Keith. So I felt like the conversation was relaxed and collaborative. In my opinion Peter, Dan and Steve all shared unique insights when answering Keith’s questions. Thus it was an opportunity for me to learn as well.”
Overall, Casual Connect USA 2018 hosted 14 tracks: Industry & Leadership, Casino, Market Navigation, Business of Games, Design & Development, Kids & Family, Esports, Audio, Emerging Tech, Licensing, United in Diversity, United in Action, LiveOps Connect, and the IGDA Mentorship Summit. Speakers came from companies such as Netmarble, Insomniac Games, Xbox, Hitpoint Studios, Atari, Caesars Entertainment, Mattel, Twitch, Blizzard, NBCUniversal Media, Zynga, and many more.
Show Support
The conference also included dozens of exhibitors and sponsors with a wide range of services to help developers big and small. Kristiina Kansen, the Director of Marketing at MoPub (Twitter), a recurring sponsor of Casual Connect, noted that their experience at the show was “very valuable as usual and a great place for us to connect with MoPub’s key audience: up-and-coming as well as leading app developers”.
Publishers, developers, and service providers alike took part in exhibition and sponsorships at the show to find clients, recruit new talent, and build partnerships with others in the games industry. The conference’s three major networking parties were sponsored by DCPI, Game Insight, and Upsight and attended by hundreds; while attendees enjoyed smaller in-venue mingles and drinks sponsored by ConsumerAcquistion.com and InMobi after the conference on Day 1.
London & Beyond
While Casual Connect USA has come and gone, the team at Computer Games Association (CGA) is already hard at work preparing for their next shows. Be sure to catch one or more of Casual Connect‘s upcoming conferences in London, Belgrade, and Shenzhen/Hong Kong. If you missed Casual Connect USA 2018, you can find select lecture videos on Casual Connect‘s official YouTube page in the coming weeks.
