The 1st Annual Architect Awards
Please be aware that panel/workshop subject matter and participants are subject to change without notice.
*denotes repeating sessions
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24th
10:00AM – 11:30AM
Gateway Ballroom, 2nd Floor
Welcome Address and Going Rogue 'Sneak Peek'
Join us for the kickoff of Hero-Con! General Manager and Executive Producer of Paragon Studios™ Brian Clayton, Lead Designer Matt “Positron” Miller, and Art Lead Ken Morse chat about the state of the game and will present the very exclusive first sneak peek of City of Heroes Going Rogue™!
1:00 PM – 1:45PM
LAN Center Cedar Room
*Hands on Mission Architect
Presenter: Sean McCann
Want to learn the basics of Mission Architect? How about some of the more advanced techniques? Either way, we've got you covered! Ask your questions and get hands-on guidance from the pros that will help you achieve your mission designing potential!
Oak Room
Designing for Massively Multiplayer Online Games
Panel Moderator: Joe Morrissey
Panel Members: Matt Miller, Bruce Harlick, Art Min, Vince D’Amelio
Designing an MMO is one of the most aggressive and complicated endeavors in the gaming space today. From concept to development to deployment, MMOs present a unique opportunity and a challenging prospect. Join members of the City of Heroes® development team as they discuss the lessons they have learned, and reveal our philosophies behind the continuing development of City of Heroes.
Fir Room
How to Dress a Super Being: The Art and Style of Digital Costume Design
Panel Moderator: David Nakayama
Panel Members: Ken Morse, Jay Doherty, Cheryl Austin, Chris Bruce
When it comes to character customization, providing our players a plethora of choices has always been an important goal for the City of Heroes Development Team, and designing costumes for today's super being is a never-ending labor of love. Join members of the Art Team as they share some insight into the creation of costume pieces, and then open the floor for your questions about costume design in City of Heroes.
Pine Room
Meet the Community Relations Team!
Panel Moderator: EM Stock
Panel Members: Tia Paraurahi, Liz Edwards, Eric Cleaver
Get a look at online community management from the inside out! Chat with the OCR Team and learn what it's like to be the liaison between a gaming company and their very passionate players. Plenty of advice will be on hand for individuals looking to start a career in this field!
2:00 PM – 2:45PM
LAN Center Cedar Room
*City of Heroes® Movie Making: The Power of Demo Record
Presenter: David Lewis
Ever wonder how our videos are made? Talk to the man behind the movies and learn the in's and out's of the City of Heroes® movie making process. Find out how to best utilize the game's built-in demo record feature to enhance your own machinima creations.
Oak Room
Walking the Tightrope: Archetypes and Power Balancing
Panel Moderator: Jonathan Courney
Panel Members: Floyd Grubb, Phil Zeleski, Andy Maurer
One of the most important and challenging aspects of MMO maintenance is insuring that there is a healthy balance across a complex myriad of game systems- especially as it relates to the powers and Archetypes of City Heroes. Join us for a discussion of what we have learned from this year's efforts to rebalance Blasters, Stalkers, and Dominators, with some insight into what we have planned for the future.
Fir Room
*To Be Continued: The Evolving City of Heroes Storyline
Panel Moderator: Jesse Caceres
Panel Members: Bruce Harlick, Melissa Bianco, Joe Morrissey, John Hegner
A strong story is the lifeblood of an MMO, and our team takes that philosophy very seriously. Join members of the development team as they reflect on the inspirations and aspirations behind the evolving story that is City of Heroes.
Pine Room
*Fun and Games: Breaking into the Industry
Panel Moderator: EM Stock
Panel Members: Matt Miller, Vince D’Amelio, Ken Morse, Clark Westerman
Join members of the City of Heroes development team and a representative of the NCsoft Recruitment Department as they share information and insight into starting a career in the gaming industry.
3:00 PM – 3:45PM
Oak Room
A Look Behind the Curtain: The City of Heroes Programming Team
Panel Moderator: Vince D’Amelio
Panel Members: C.W. Bennett, Graham West, Garth Gillespie, Matt Stults
Pay some attention to the men behind the curtain! Remember – new game features are only ideas until the Programming Team brings them to life. Join the City of Heroes programmers as they share insight into the life of a City of Heroes System Engineer.
Fir Room
Shades of Gray - Meet the GR Signature Characters
Panel Moderator: Chris Hockabout
Panel Members: Ken Morse, Matt Miller, Carolina Tello Alvarado
Going Rogue will bring with it not only great new content but the story of intriguing new signature characters who straddle the line between good and evil. See a variety of never-before-seen concept art (that will probably never be seen again) and learn how Desdemona and Maelstrom were created from conception to completion.
Pine Room
Power to the People - Getting Involved in Player-Run Activities
Panel Moderator: Cameron Payne
Panel Members: Tia Paraurahi, Eric Cleaver, Liz Edwards
From player guides and wikis to online radio stations and podcasts...learn about the great ways City of Heroes players are creating their community related programs and events. Join the community team as we discuss the remarkable opportunities for you to get involved!
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 25th
10:00AM – 10:45AM
LAN Center Cedar Room
*Hands on Mission Architect
Presenter: Sean McCann
Want to learn the basics of Mission Architect? How about some of the more advanced techniques? Either way, we've got you covered! Ask your questions and get hands-on guidance from the pros that will help you achieve your mission designing potential!
Fir Room
*To Be Continued: The Evolving City of Heroes Storyline
Panel Moderator: Jesse Caceres
Panel Members: Bruce Harlick, Melissa Bianco, Joe Morrissey
A strong story is the lifeblood of an MMO, and our team takes that philosophy very seriously. Join members of the development team as they reflect on the inspirations and aspirations behind the evolving story that is City of Heroes.
Pine Room
*Fun and Games: Breaking into the Industry
Panel Moderator: EM Stock
Panel Members: Matt Miller, Vince D’Amelio, Ken Morse, Clark Westerman
Join members of the City of Heroes development team and a representative of the NCsoft Recruitment Department as they share information and insight into starting a career in the gaming industry.
11:00AM – 11:45AM
LAN Center Cedar Room
*City of Heroes Movie Making: The Power of Demo Record
Presenter: David Lewis
Ever wonder how our videos are made? Talk to the man behind the movies and learn the in's -and out's of the City of Heroes movie making process. Find out how to best utilize the game's built-in demo record feature to enhance your own machinima creations.
Fir Room
A Whole New World - Praetoria: Utopia with a Price
Panel Moderator: Bruce Harlick
Panel Members: Joe Morrissey, John Hegner, Matt Miller
Going Rogue will introduce the Praetorian world as players have never seen it. A tapestry of conflicting interests, moral compromises, and battling egos: this is how Praetoria became a place where heroes and villains can walk the streets side by side.
Pine Room
The Life of a Bug
Panel Moderator: Art Min
Panel Members: Matt Stults, Jesse Caceres, Vince D’Amelio
Follow the life of a bug through the hectic world of the City of Heroes game development life cycle. Learn how bugs are discovered, tracked and resolved, and how fixes are tested and eventually released to the live servers.
12:00PM – 12:45PM
Fir Room
Wouldn't it be Great if...
Panel Moderator: Brian Clayton
Panel Members: Matt Miller, Joe Morrissey, Chris Bruce, Vince D’Amelio
Have an idea for the game that's been gnawing at you for years? Not sure if it's a viable one? Submit your brilliant idea (up until Saturday afternoon) into the suggestion box located in The Midnighter Club and it may be addressed and considered during this panel! Join the Development Team for what promises to be a lively discussion around your City of Heroes wish list!
1:00PM – 2:00PM
Fir Room
Closing Ceremonies
Please join us for some closing words, a special presentation and a group picture that we all can remember Hero-Con 2009 by!
