{ Beer & Pixels }

Video Game – Industry Event

Every month, local video game developers, designers, software developers/engineers, and so on, congregate together to showcase their latest video game projects in the making for feedback, and to network with local developers/designers, etc. This event is called Beer and Pixels, and it’s a great way to not only seek feedback on projects but also to connect with people in the video game, and software industry.

For the past three years, I have been fortunate to work for a company called Limerocket. Limerocket focuses on creating live multiplayer games for large crowds, and they achieve this with their platform BuzzyTv. This platform has a library of 1-3 minute competitive games. As our games require large groups to play, I venture with my team to venues to showcase the games and obtain feedback. We also host competitions to engage more people and to generate a friendly competitive nature when our games are being played.

Beer and Pixels is an even that Limerocket enjoys visiting as it has a great range of developers, designers, writers, and so on. During May 2017, I had the pleasure to attend this event with my other colleague Laura, who specialised in marketing for Limerocket. This was the first time I was showcasing our games from Limerocket without our programmer or CEO, so it was exceptionally nerve-wracking to host and have no on-site live technical support.

This fear developed into a blessing in disguise. The reasoning behind this was when I faced a few technical issues; it forced me to learn to tackle problems on the spot and while under pressure. It also allowed me to speak with other developers and engineers about viable solutions that the team and I could utilise to resolve these issues.

Throughout the night we received a lot of positive and constructive feedback towards a variety of our games. While showcasing these games, I had the pleasure to meet a reporter who was interested in what Limerocket had to offer. During our discussion, I was able to collect a business card and a LinkedIn connection.

Overall the experience of flying solo was something that put me out of my comfort zone. At the end of it all, it unquestionably aided me in enhancing my problem-solving skillset. The event itself was positive, and it allowed me to walk away with feedback that I could utilise to improve the content for Limerocket.

To Move to a new level in your life, you must break through your comfort zone and do things that are not comfortable”

T. Harv Eker