In just three weeks, on November 7th and 8th, the Alliant Energy Center in Madison, Wisconsin will host MDEV, a rapidly growing conference for the gaming industry. Now in its sixth year, MDEV is gaining traction thanks to the dedication of community leaders and passionate individuals working to elevate the local gaming scene. The conference is beginning to make a notable impact on the industry, with Ben Kvalo, founder of Midwest Games and President of the Wisconsin Gaming Alliance, leading the charge. Under his guidance, MDEV has consistently doubled its audience year after year, establishing itself as a key event for developers, studios, and industry stakeholders in the Midwest.
Check out MDEV Here!
Check out Midwest Games Steam Page
This year is no different, with sponsors like Unity, Unreal Engine, Helpshift, Xsolla, and PUBG Studios supporting MDEV. Studios and publishers are increasingly recognizing the wealth of talent in the Midwest. With a reasonable cost of living (fingers crossed it stays that way), a strong community, a great sense of family values, and plenty to do, the Midwest is becoming an attractive hub for game development.
Player: Engage is thrilled to be sponsoring, speaking at, and hosting a few podcasts with studios that were built in the Midwest to hear their stories. Starting the week of October 14th, we’ll bring you a new podcast each week featuring a studio that was founded in or expanded to Madison or its surrounding areas. While we’ve done many similar podcasts, a key differentiator during these conversations has been the strong sense of family each guest conveys. It might sound strange, but it’s something you can genuinely sense when talking to people.
From Patrick Jesseman (Alkami Labz), who is working on a major title alongside his children while educating them along the way, to Josh Garity (Pyramid Lake Games), whose project grew from something he worked on with his son, these stories are heartwarming and inspiring. They speak to the close-knit spirit of the Midwest game development community.
This journey has been a ton of fun, and with Ben Kvalo at the helm, the sky’s the limit for the Midwest. Let’s support these studios and help build a major gaming hub here in the U.S.
Don’t forget to check out the 15-minute interview with Ben Kvalo, diving deeper into his vision for MDEV and the gaming community in the Midwest. Stay tuned!
Key Topics Discussed
- Introduction to Ben Kvalo and His Roles: Learn about Ben’s journey and his significant contributions to the gaming industry in the Midwest.
- The Growth of MDEV: Discover how MDEV has doubled its attendance every year for the past three years and what makes it a unique and accessible event for game developers and enthusiasts.
- Midwest Gaming Studios: Ben highlights several prominent studios in the region, including Raven Software, Respawn, PerBlue, and many more, showcasing the rich talent pool and innovative projects coming out of the Midwest.
- Keynote Speakers at MDEV: Get a sneak peek into the exciting lineup of keynote speakers, including Megan Morgan, Jr. from Santa Monica Studios and Matt Weibel, COO of Second Dinner.
- Community and Family Values: Explore the strong sense of community and family values that permeate the Midwest gaming industry, fostering a supportive and collaborative environment.
- Future of MDEV: Ben shares his vision for the future of MDEV, including plans for expanding the event and introducing new opportunities for networking and collaboration.
