The lovely Ashley Barry invited me and a few other people to panel her on “How I got into Games Journalism” at PAXEast.

The panel will be at 11:30 am Saturday, April 23rd in the Bobcat Theatre.

Are you interested in writing about games or pop culture? Do you have a unique perspective? Do you want to see yourself represented in games? Join the writers from The Mary Sue and other pop culture sites for a riveting discussion on breaking into the niche field of games writing, dealing with constructive criticism, operating in the public sphere of digital publishing, tackling uncomfortable/controversial topics, and more.

Panelists:

Ashley Barry [Founder, Hyrule Hyrulia]
Tanya DePass [Founder, #INeedDiverseGames]
Jillian Gorry [Founder, FemHype]
Jessica Lachenal [Assistant Editor, The Mary Sue]

The second panel I’ll be on was proposed by Butterfly Samurai (her twitter handle)

“Diversity in Gaming: Equality For All!” on Saturday April 23rd at 7:30 pm in the Cuttlefish Theatre

Gaming is growing. As it grows, people from all walks of life are picking up controllers and joining social communities. Join I Need Diverse Games, Ablegamers, and GaymerX as they discuss creating safe spaces for gamers online and off. These brands are devoted to diversity in gaming whether it’s for Women of Color, the LGBT community, or gamers with disabilities. The panel is moderated by gaming professionals Butterfly Samurai and Vballinchick.

Panelists include:

Jessica Green [Founder/Editor in Chief, Butterflysamurai.com]
Steven Spohn [COO, Ablegamers ]
Tanya DePass [Founder/community manager, I Need Diverse Games]
Matt Conn [President , GaymerX]
Sarah Gordan [Moderator, N/a]

Published by cypheroftyr

Tanya DePass is the founder and Director of I Need Diverse Games, a non-profit organization based in Chicago, which is dedicated to better diversification of all aspects of gaming. I Need Diverse Games serves the community by supporting marginalized developers attend the Game Developer Conference by participating in the GDC Scholarship program, helps assist attendance at other industry events, and is seeking partnership with organizations and initiatives. Tanya is a lifelong Chicagoan who loves everything about gaming, #INeedDiverseGames spawn point, and wants to make it better and more inclusive for everyone. She founded and was the EIC of Fresh Out of Tokens podcast where games culture was discussed and viewed through a lense of feminism, intersectionality and diversity. Now she’s a co-host on Spawn on Me Podcast. Along with all of that, she’s the Programming Coordinator for OrcaCon, she often speaks on issues of diversity, feminism, race, intersectionality & other topics at multiple conventions throughout the year. Her writing about games and games critique appears in Uncanny Magazine, Polygon, Wiscon Chronicles, Vice Gaming, Paste Games, Mic, and other publications.