Fun & Serious Game Festival announces David Cage (Quantic Dream) and Joe Madureira (Marvel Comics and Airship Syndicate) talks at its 10th edition

In 2020, the Fun & Serious Game Festival keeps its winter appointment with the key names of the video game industry, and after confirming the celebration of its tenth edition -this time in online format from December 10 to 12- and unveiling the first names (Tim Willits, Marc Merrill, Harvey Smith and Warren Spector, among others) to confirm their attendance, adds two more new talents to their schedule.

David Cage is the creator of titles that have been able to blow up the traditional borders of video game, such as the multi-awarded Detroit: Become Human. The French game director, writer and composer, founder and CEO of the famous creative studio Quantic Dream, began his professional career in the industry in the 90’s. His most emblematic works, which delve into complex storytelling and characters endowed with great emotional intensity and exploring new genres and formulas, came under the umbrella of Quantic Dream, a company that he founded in 1997 and where he holds the position of CEO, Financial and Business Manager, designer, writer, director … The Nomad Soul (1999) was the first game produced by Quantic Dream, written and directed by David Cage, and met a critical success across the world. The game is well known for David Bowie’s original soundtrack and his rendering in game as a lead band singer. Fahrenheit (2005) allowed David Cage to consolidate a special storytelling approach and Heavy Rain (2010) won numerous international awards, including three BAFTAs, for his clearly cinematographic construction that splits the plot into a myriad of narrative decisions; Beyond: Two Souls (2013) and, above all Detroit: Become Human, in 2018, established Cage as one of the undisputed fathers of interactive drama. David Cage was the first video game developer to be awarded the French Legion of Honor, the highest distinction of the French nation.

Joe Madureira is a renowned comic artist and the CEO of Airship Syndicate. Known for his legendary work on Marvel Comics series such as the Uncanny X Men, Marvel The Ultimates and Avenging Spiderman, as well as some installments of Deadpool and Wolverine, he obtained his first success in the video game industry as the creative director of Darksiders (2010) at THQ. Joe is also the creator of the comic series Battle Chasers, and in 2017 he launched the video game inspired by the series. Battle Chasers was the first title developed by Airship Syndicate, which is based in Austin, Texas and founded in partnership with Ryan Stefanell, Chris Brooks, and Steve Madureira. Following its latest release, a new installment in the Darksiders saga (Darksiders: Genesis), the studio is currently focused on Ruined King: A League of Legends Story, a single-player turn-based RPG game based on the League of Legends universe (which will be hitting consoles), and it will be published by Riot Forge in 2021.

The 10th edition of the Festival which, taking into account the current health circumstances, has decided to opt for the online and open format, will include talks and interviews featuring some of the honorary winners and most important participants who have attended the Festival during the last decade, as well as the addition of some of the new relevant names in the industry.

The event will appeal to a very diverse audience, from video game fans, who will be able to learn more about the creation of their favorite titles, to professionals, as well as video game design and creation students. The talks by these key names in the industry will be moments to learn about, get to know and delve into the creative process and the business leadership of the great titans of the sector.

About Fun and Serious Game Festival X Edition (2020)

The Fun & Serious Game Festival, to be held from 10th to 12th December 2020 in Bilbao (Spain), is the largest video-game festival in Europe and a key meeting-point for the industry as a whole. Last year, more than 40,000 people attended the different activities at the festival in Bilbao.
The event’s mission is to recognize and promote the work of video-game producers, directors, artists and developers, based on a comprehensive program of conferences, roundtables, networking and activities, aimed at both companies and the general public. As is customary each year, the Festival will conclude with an exclusive Grand Prize-Winning Gala for the best video-games of the year.
The Fun & Serious Game Festival has the support of Bilbao City Council, the Provincial Council of Bizkaia and the Basque Government – SPRI. The sponsorship of BBK and the collaboration of the Spanish Association of Video Games (AEVI), GAME, BBVA and UTAD. https://www.funandseriousgamefestival.com/