Great Eastern Technology

What is MIT BiG? How is it different from other gaming events?

MIT BiG is a conference that focuses on the business side of the gaming industry. Our aim is to bring together industry professionals, local entrepreneurs and students to share insights and best business practices on how to run a gaming company, and how to make good games with it.

MIT BiG is not focused on the design and development of video games, nor is it a celebration of games and gaming culture (though we love and support both events—and MIT BiG is held the day before PAX East in Boston, so if you come to one, you may as well come to both!). We are primarily concerned with how to improve on the business processes that underlie and support the creativity of developers.

Where and when will MIT BiG take place?

This year’s conference will take place on March 21, the day before PAX East, at the MIT Media Lab. The conference will run from 8 AM to 4 PM, and will feature a reception afterwards.

MIT BiG has been scheduled the day previous to PAX to make it convenient for gaming industry people to attend. In addition, MassTLC will be holding a “Made in MA” PAX pre-party at the Microsoft NERD Center which is within less than 5 minutes’ walking distance from the Media Lab where our conference will take place.

What kind of people come to MIT BiG?

MIT BiG draws a varied audience. We invite prestigious industry insiders to speak and attend the event, but we are also delighted to welcome independent developers interested in taking their company (and their ability to make successful games!) to the next level, as well as students and members of the public who are interested in learning more about the business.

MIT BiG is not a technical conference. Although basic knowledge of finance, operations, marketing, human resources and project management should enrich your understanding of the issues being discussed, they are not required. Managers and executives are by necessity generalists, and we structure our panels, keynotes and discussions to be accessible to a broad audience.