Fall Happenings: We're going to SXSW Interactive, Games for Health and Jesse Spink

To start, thanks so much to all of you who voted us “in” for the SXSW interactive panel. Michael has been selected to present his panel out of more than 2400 entries across all categories. We are the only social game company out of Vancouver that is going to be speaking in the Games For Good category. If you’re around Austin, Texas on March 11-15, 2011, I’d encourage you to check out Michael’s panel called Social Games: Manipulating Your Brain Chemistry for Good. You can find out more details on the SXSW website.
In other exciting company news, we have a new member joining the Ayogo team: Jesse Spink. Our new Creative Director, Jesse has more than a decade of experience working with cutting edge interactive firms and top brands on both sides of the Atlantic, like Nike, Coca-Cola, British Airways, Whistler/Blackcomb, Müller, and Armada Skis to name just a few. Welcome Jesse! If you’d like to get a hold of Jesse you can email him: jesse [at] ayogo [dot] com.
Finally, Healthseeker, our Facebook game that helps people living with diabetes improve their lifestyle, has been garnering North America-wide media attention. I wanted to post this interview with Michael that Pixel and Pills shot at ePatient Connect in Philadelphia. Michael explains some of the reasons why Healthseeker is such an engaging game and talks about some of the game mechanics used. As always, you can check out Michael’s social game design blog for inspiration and insight into game design, and also read his blog on Gamasutra. Feel free to email me victoria [at] ayogo [dot] com if you have any questions, or email Michael directly at michael [at] ayogo [dot] com.


Ayogo’s Michael Fergusson Explains His Collaboration With The Diabetes Hands Foundation from Zemoga on Vimeo.