Gamertell

Xfire announces an opportunity for Xfire users to chat live with up and coming independent game developers at 5 p.m. EST (2 p.m. PST) on January 24, 2008. The developers will answer questions about game design and all the obstacles and challenges an independent company must face to break into the game industry.

Then on January 25, 2008, at 5 p.m. EST (2 p.m. PST), users can attend the 12th Xfire Debate Club meeting. The topic of discussion is the current state of independent games where users can learn about the issues involved in the development and making of a game as well as ask their own questions and talk about what the future may hold for the indie game genre.

For current and new Xfire users, participation in the debate club meetings will increase their chances of promotion of up to 8 total ranks and ten indie game prize packs will be given away during both sessions. Each pack includes one copy of Chronic Logic’s Gish, one game from Amaranth Games, one game from Rampant Games and a one Xfire T-shirt.

Moderator for the event is freelance game journalist John Bardinelli of JayIsGames. Guests include:

• Jay Barnson of Rampant Games
• Geoff Benson of uTime Games, Inc.
• Xinghan (Jenova) Chen of thatgamecompany
• Corvus Elrod, a contract writer for games and animation
• Amanda Fitch of Amarantha Games
• Nils-Holger Henning of Bigpoint
• Chris Pasley of Kongregate
• Josiah Pisciotta of Chronic Logic, LLC

Xfire is a free instant messaging and server browser program for PC gamers that offers peer-to-peer file download capabilities and in-game messaging that is compatible with most of today’s popular games. Those wishing to attend the panel can log onto the Xfire website and download the free program and register for the debate club.

Site [Xfire]