So, as long as Emerald City Comicon (ECCC) happens I’ll still be there! I’ll also be floating around the Level Up Dice and Wyrmwood Booths.

I’ll be on two panels, one of which I’m moderating.

Queer as a 3-Sided Die Thursday 2:30 pm WSCC 3B

Industry panelists lead discussion of gender and sexuality issues in gaming from design and publishing to game-play and community. Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people are a part of the gamer community. Although the gaming community is known for its tolerance, LGBT people still often struggle to see places for themselves in the fantasy worlds we create.

Moderator: Tanya DePass

Panelists: Jaym Gates, Lauren Bond

The Pros and Cons of Creative Autonomy  Friday 2:45 pm WSCC 3A

Crowdfunding has made it easier than ever to self-publish, but is doing so the right choice for everyone? Creators from diverse perspectives will talk about what it takes to be independent, how they’ve worked with publishers both big and small, and how their career choices brought them to where they are today.

 Panelists: David Walker, Eunsoo Jeong, Gabriel Picolo, Ngozi Ukazu, Tanya DePass

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.