SEPTEMBER 2017
Arcade RoadShow: a touring arcade featuring the best independent games from around the world!
ARCADE NOSTALGIA
INDIE INNOVATION
THE PERFECT FIT
Gone are the days of the classic arcade,
The rise of independent game development
Arcade RoadShow is curating the finest
but there remains a sense of magic to
has led to a stunning revolution in the video
independent games from around the
them. Older generations remember the
game industry and exploded in popularity
world and bringing them together in a fun
countless afternoons of pumping quarters
over the last decade. Smaller teams of
and sociable environment found nowhere
and the rush of getting a high score, while
creators with limited budgets are taking
else. Each stop in the tour will not
younger generations view the arcade
calculated risks that their mainstream
only showcase over 35 arcades but
machine as a powerful retro icon. Gamers
counterparts can’t afford. As a result,
select games will also be featured in a
are fiercely loyal to their number one form
independent creations are some of the most
tournament format where players will
of entertainment, and the arcade stands
innovative and enjoyable games on the
battle it out for glory, prizes and for the
as a symbol of where it all began.
market today.
title of the best player in their city!
TOURNAMENTS & eSPORTS Tournaments are a driving force in video game entertainment. Gamers are inherently competitive as they've been trained since day one to complete the impossible task, get the high score, be the fastest—be the best!
It's no wonder why eSports are surging in popularity on an international scale.
"Competitive gaming, known as electronic sports, or eSports, is a global phenomenon valued in the billions of dollars." - Jennifer Booton, MarketWatch.com
The largest tournament of 2015 was the League of Legends "Worlds," which not only filled the stadiums of Le Dock Pullman (Paris), SSE Arena Wembley (London), Brussels Expo (Brussels), Mercedes-Benz Arena (Berlin), but also garnered a total of 36 million unique online viewers over the course of the five-week finals.
Arcade RoadShow will feature tournaments for 2 multiplayer games over the course of the each stop, with prizes for the top players at each location.
THE ROADSHOW
The first tour of Arcade RoadShow will visit 15 cities across Canada, from British Columbia to Ontario. The tour will spend 2 to 4 days in each location, based on opportunities for educational events and corporate/private bookings.
WHY INDIE GAMES? Independent games are the perfect fit for a touring arcade. The games selected for Arcade RoadShow are hand picked because of their ability to showcase outstanding examples of game design, beautiful aesthetics, and most of all because they are a blast to play! They feature elements of game design that lend themselves incredibly well to a social setting and work well with the classic controls of an arcade joystick. Care has been taken to ensure that the controls are optimally configured to provide a player experience that is accessible, intuitive and fun.
As independent games lack the marketing reach of their large studio counterparts, Arcade RoadShow will function as a nation-wide showcase for those selected for the tour. These games are gorgeous and exciting, and deserve to be seen by as many people as possible!
Games Shown: A Night in the Woods
Race the Sun
Spelunky
Cuphead
Lethal League
Tricky Towers
Castle Crashers
TowerFall Ascension
Nidhogg II
Limbo
Skullgirls
Samurai Gunn
Krunch
Jamestown
Runner 2
Super Meatboy
Gang Beasts
Super Hexagon
*Some games have been confirmed for Arcade RoadShow
BUILDING THE FUTURE • IN 2015 THE GAMING INDUSTRY CONTRIBUTED MORE THAN $3 BILLION TO THE CANADIAN ECONOMY* • THE INDUSTRY IS EXPANDING — THERE ARE CURRENTLY 472 STUDIOS ACTIVE IN CANADA* • 20,400 FULL TIME EMPLOYEES AND GROWING, UP 24% FROM 16,500 IN 2012* • WE HAVE A SKILLS GAP IN CANADA — WE CANNOT MEET THE DEMAND FOR TALENT*
"Talent supply for the digital economy through Canada’s post-secondary education stream will not be sufficient to meet the hiring requirements over the next five years." - The Digital Economy Supply, ICTC 2015 In addition to providing an environment for an amazing social gaming experience, Arcade RoadShow wants to help build profile around the talent of seasoned and emerging independent game developers, by providing a welcoming space to celebrate their creativity. Target event locations consist of postsecondary institutions. Arcade RoadShow aims to work with the schools to provide a space and opportunity for developer interviews and other learning opportunities. The goal is to profile emerging talent in the industry and share their passion through their experience and stories. We will foster relationships with developers and strive to ensure diversity and inclusivity in the opportunities available. *Statistics provided by Entertainment Software Association of Canada
SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES Arcade RoadShow will build relationships with companies that align with our values of celebrating emerging talent, fostering community, and celebrating gaming to help support the tour. We will provide opportunities for brand integration via pre-tour promotional activities, on-site fan engagement and post-show analytic sharing. More than supporting a live tour, this is engaging our communities in a celebration of technology and creative skills. Sponsorship opportunities include:
• TITLE SPONSOR • TOURNAMENT SPONSOR • LANYARD/CARD SPONSOR • FREE WIFI SPONSOR • MERCH BOOTH / TOTE BAG SPONSOR • ON SITE PROMO SPONSORS • COMPUTER HARDWARE SPONSOR • CONTROLLER HARDWARE SPONSOR • SPEAKER HARDWARE SPONSOR
MARKETING CHANNELS Facebook
Twitch
YouTube
Snapchat
@ArcadeRoadShow Online presence for Arcade RoadShow is paramount and as such all major social media channels have already been registered. Content for online channels will consist of video, motion graphics, photography, and witty interaction. Digital media will be created at each event, then utilized to promote future stops, promotions and content for following years.
"Over 470 million gamers watch online gaming content on a regular basis and
that number will surpass 500 million viewers later this year. That accounts for 56% of all gamers across North and Latin America, Europe, and Asia Pacific."
- John Gaudiosi, Fortune.com
Live streams of the each of the events and tournaments will be distributed though online channels. We will utilize these platforms to build a following and provide updated content, promotions and player standings. Content will be kept for future tours and to build highlight reels of exceptional gameplay moments.
PLAYER 1 Ready!
PLAYER 2 Ready!
MIKE LOHAUS
KELLY PHELAN
A nerd from an early age, Mike Lohaus lives and breathes video games. Originally hailing from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Mike moved to Calgary in 2001 to attend school at Alberta College of Art and Design. Upon graduating at the top of his class in Media Arts and Digital Technologies, he quickly found work in marketing and advertising.
Kelly Phelan has more than a decade of public relations and concert promoting experience. Her work has focused on media and community relations, promotions, strategic marketing and special events for clients in arts, entertainment, nonprofit and gaming.
In 2010 Mike co-founded LeGrudge & Rugged: an independent game development and creative marketing studio. They launched their first game "KRUNCH" in 2013 to critical acclaim selling over 27,000 units. A massive supporter of design and the arts, Mike is an active member of the Calgary Game Developers Association where he teaches game theory, design and marketing strategy to local independent developers.
For seven years she served as the Marketing Director for Paul Mercs Concerts where she handled media relations, marketing and promotions for national concert tours. Among her past tours are: Pearl Jam, Bryan Adams, Diana Krall, Lenny Kravitz, Ellen Degeneres, River Dance, Boston Pops and the Dixie Chicks. With her own company, she marketed, managed artists, promoted and booked comedy and music tours across the country, and her clients included Brent Butt, Red Robinson Management, Paul Mercs Concerts, Great Canadian Casinos, CTV, Three Thirty Five Productions, and the Vancouver International Jazz Festival.
ARCADEROAD.SHOW