SIGGRAPH: The World’s Largest Conference on Computer Graphics

The SIGGRAPH conference and exhibition is a five-day interdisciplinary educational experience including a three-day commercial exhibition that attracts hundreds of exhibitors from around the world. SIGGRAPH is widely recognized as the most prestigious forum for the publication of computer graphics research. In addition to SIGGRAPH’s leading-edge technical program, the conference’s installations provide close-up views of the latest in digital art, emerging technologies, and hands-on opportunities for creative collaboration.

A Closer Look at the Games Focus Program at SIGGRAPH 2015

The gaming industry has been evolving as more independent players have entered the landscape. SIGGRAPH 2015 provides the perfect backdrop for gaming veterans and “newbies” to cross collaborate. Games Focus is a Gaming program at SIGGRAPH 2015 where video game professionals converge to provide meaningful and informative content, inspiration, ideas and motivation to everyone interested in the gaming industry.

Mike Hardison, the Games Program Chair at SIGGRAPH 2015, started his career in the multi-billion dollar video game industry by volunteering at SIGGRAPH when he was a student. Since then, he’s held various jobs in film and animation, and he currently works in the games industry as a senior digital lighter/compositor, combining his passions for both film and games. As this year’s program chair, Hardison’s goal is to help broaden the connection and awareness of SIGGRAPH within the video game industry, as well as help build up momentum on Games to become an important part of SIGGRAPH and the games industry in general.

“SIGGRAPH has always been about innovation in computer graphics and interactive techniques. So, it makes sense that Gaming is more prevalent this year,” said Hardison. “The technology behind video games affects multiple industries and brings a fresh approach and perspective to computer graphics.”

Hardison also shares that video games are a channel for emerging technologies, such as virtual reality and augmented reality to reach consumers, while SIGGRAPH provides the stage where innovation and new technologies can share the spotlight. This combination will result in superior games now and in the future.

Participants of the Games program range from top-tier games companies to independent game developers. Everyone involved and interested in the video game industry, from veteran gaming professionals to students, can see and experience several platforms of how games are now created and presented, whether its desktop, console or mobile.

The top names in the gaming industry join SIGGRAPH, and 2015 is no different. Participants will include: Electronic Arts, Sony, Blizzard Entertainment, Microsoft and Square Enix. From the independent gaming side, companies such as State of Play Studios, Q Games and the developers of “The Witness,” will be on-site to share their work with attendees. This year’s SIGGRAPH will provide opportunities to independent developers to stand out as they continue to help shape the latest developments in the gaming industry.

Hardison states, “We are celebrating the indie spirit as more independent gamers are joining this platform. Independent gaming developers are able to shine, but most importantly, they are able to share their work with fellow industry professionals. In addition, we’re incorporating The MIX to the program, where attendees will be able to have hands on experiences with some developing indie games, making everything more interactive.”

The Game Focus program promises to offer an event that encompasses collaboration unlike previous years at SIGGRAPH. From visually stunning cinematics, game models, animation and effects to new production techniques, game tools, graphics and groundbreaking R&D behind the games, are all part of the program line-up.

“There will be a diverse collection of independent and AAA games and game-related content that covers a broad range of applications, from educational content to virtual reality. We’re excited to include a session where gaming companies are able to share how the best games of 2015 were brought together,” said Hardison.

Ready at Dawn, Electronic Arts/Dice, Eidos Montreal, Blizzard Entertainment, Guerilla Games and Avalanche Studios are among the gaming companies who will provide insight to SIGGRAPH 2015 attendees. These companies will talk about their plans of upcoming games, and a “behind-the-scenes” view of how their games are made, including technologies and production techniques utilized. Another exciting aspect of the SIGGRAPH 2015 Games program will be the panels hosted by industry innovators who will be discussing topics such as “Convergence in Film and Games Technologies,” among others.

Attendees will benefit from participating in the Games Focus program, not only because SIGGRAPH provides a platform were new developments, technologies in computer graphics and interactive techniques are presented, but because it offers a collaborating community. What this means is that anyone from up-and-coming game developers to someone interested in the games industry as a whole, will be able to interact and learn from the top minds of the gaming industry. Content and innovations from other related industries, which can be easily and significantly be applied to the gaming industry, and vice versa.

“SIGGRAPH is a great way for gaming professionals, developers and students to integrate and collaborate and be immersed in the new technologies and platforms that will only continue to break more ground as time passes. I can’t wait to see all these interactions and developments come to fruition and I’m certainly excited to see about what’s coming up next,” concludes Hardison.

About SIGGRAPH

SIGGRAPH is the world’s largest conference on computer graphics, and is attended by tens of thousands of computer graphics professionals. SIGGRAPH 2015 will be held from August 9–13, 2015 at the Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles, California.

SIGGRAPH is one of the most highly respected venues for the presentation of new computer graphics technology and research.

For more information about SIGGRAPH 2015, go to http://s2015.siggraph.org/.