Check out a game convention from the comfort of your home this weekend with LudoNarraCon, presented by indie label Fellow Traveller. As indicated by the title, the digital convention, hosted via Steam on May 10-13, will focus on narrative video games.
To digitally replicate a physical convention as much as possible, LudoNarraCon will rely heavily on live streaming.
“Game booths” will be represented by development teams streaming demos and behind-the-scenes material on the Steam store pages for their games. At the time of writing, a diverse lineup of over 20 games—like Neo Cab and Mutazione—will exhibit at “booths” for LudoNarraCon.
Catch A Panel
There will be 6-8 total hours of streamed panels with people in the industry on a Steam page standing in for a “central theatre stage.” Panels will cover a variety of topics with different speakers, such as Fullbright game designer Nina Freeman participating in a talk about romance in games.
All streaming will start at 10 a.m. PST on May 10, with panels, live streaming until 4 p.m., and game booths live streaming until 1 p.m. All streams will then play again on a loop through May 13, until 11 p.m. This uniquely digital feature makes it possible for people to check out LudoNarraCon any time during this weekend.
The digital convention will even offer attendees shopping opportunities, with more than 40 games discounted for a LudoNarraCon sale. According to MCV, LudoNarraCon itself will be entirely free to attendees.
Leveling the Convention Playing Field
PC Gamer reports that Fellow Traveller managing director, Chris Wright, said that though conventions like PAX are appreciated, “it’s a challenge for indie narrative games to compete on the convention circuit.” Wright expanded on this, saying that it can be hard for small development teams to spend time and money on exhibiting at events around the world.
According to Gamasutra, Fellow Traveller seeks to translate the physical convention experience to a digital space that can remove the costs of travel. Gamasutra adds that depending on how this weekend’s LudoNarraCon goes, “there will be a second round of the conference later in the year.”
For a complete list of exhibiting games, full convention schedule, more information, and any updates, visit the official LudoNarraCon website and Fellow Traveller’s Twitter.