City of Culver City, California
Agenda Item Report
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends the City Council (1) consider the amount of in-kind financial
assistance for and potential City sponsorship of the International Festival of
Independent Games (IndieCade Festival) and (2) approve related license
agreements.
BACKGROUND:
Note: This item appeared on the City Council Agenda for the Regular Meetings of
March 23, 2015 and May 13, 2015. Both times, at the request of the event producer,
the item was not considered by the City Council at those meetings and no action
was taken by the City Council. The item is re-presented this evening.
During the February 13, 2012 City Council meeting, the City Council expressed their
desire for there to be consistency for assistance of special events and encouraged
staff to meet with the event organizers to determine their ability to conduct the event
with limited assistance.
Staff determined three types of assistance that could be provided to events with
limited impacts on the General Fund:
? Waiver of property rental fees
? Provision of in-kind equipment rental
Meeting Date: 05/26/2015 Item Number: J-1
JOINT CITY COUNCIL AND SUCCESSOR AGENCY BOARD AGENDA ITEM: (1)
Consideration of the Amount of In-Kind Assistance for and Possible City
Sponsorship of IndieCade: International Festival of Independent Games; and (2)
Approval of Related License Agreements.
Contact Person/Dept.:
Jeremy Green/ City Clerk’s Office
Phone Number:
(310) 253-5859
Fiscal Impact: Yes [X] No [ ] General Fund: Yes [X] No []
Public Hearing: [ ] Action Item: [X] Attachments: [X]
Public Notification: Creative Collaborative Media, Inc. (04/08/15); Meetings and Agendas
– City Council (05/21/15), DBA (05/21/15); Culver City Chamber of Commerce
(05/21/15).
Department Approval:
Martin R. Cole (05/19/15)
City Attorney/Successor Agency General
Counsel Attorney Approval:
Carol Schwab (by H. Baker) (05/19/15)
Chief Financial Officer Approval:
Jeff Muir (by M. Noller) (04/08/15)
City Manager/Executive Director Approval:
John M. Nachbar (05/21/15) City of Culver City, California
Agenda Item Report
? Waiver of in-kind staff costs for services during regular business hours.
At the March 23, 2015 City Council meeting, the 2015 Car Show and L.A.
Modernism Show were specifically designated as City-Sponsored events and the
City Council approved financial assistance in the form of fee waivers for City soft
costs. Both events will be responsible to pay for staff time incurred at times other
than regular business hours. While the request for IndieCade was also included in
the staff report, the event producers requested that the request be postponed until
April 13, 2015 and then until May 26, 2015.
DISCUSSION:
City Sponsorship
IndieCade will need to be specifically designated as a City-sponsored event by the
City Council. As part of such City-sponsorship, the event producers would be
eligible to post banners in the public right-of-way advertising the sponsored event.
To be categorized as a “sponsored” event by the City, an event must comply with
Culver City Municipal Code (CCMC) Section 17.330.040.B.7.b.ii., confirming that the
City is (a) participating in an official capacity in the planning, preparation or
promotion of the event or activity; and (b) contributing 25% of the total estimated
costs of the civic event or activity or at least $1,000, whichever is less. This
contribution may take the form of funds, labor, staff time, materials, a waiver of fees,
or any combination thereof.
The CCMC requires both (a) AND (b) conditions be satisfied. Additionally, City
Council Policy requires that in order for an event to be considered City-sponsored,
the City Council must determine, by specific action, that the above criteria have been
met.
Should the City Council determine to provide support in an amount of at least $1,000
(funds, staff time and/or fee waivers, etc.), then IndieCade may be designated a
City-sponsored event.
Should IndieCade receive City-sponsorship, the organizers will be required to
include the City’s logo on the banners as a sponsor and list the City as a sponsor of
the event in e-mails, on their website, in promotions, press releases and on printed
materials, where applicable.
INDIECADE FESTIVAL 2015: October 22-25, 2015
The IndieCade Festival is a showcase and celebration of independent video and
other independent games and game-makers. Last year’s 6
th
annual event in Culver City of Culver City, California
Agenda Item Report
City brought more than 6,000 attendees who attended IndieXchange Summit,
GameU, Professional Conference Tracks, signature NightGames, and ongoing
hands-on gameplay at the IndieCade “Village” in Downtown Culver City and Fire
Station #1. The weekend portion of the event is open to the general public.
Most of the fee waiver requests are the same as last year and include requests for
rental locations, equipment rental from the City, and staff costs during regular
business hours. IndieCade also requests marketing support through promotions on
the City website, through e-mail blasts, with advertisement of IndieCade on the
inside of City buses and via directional bus signs, indicating those buses that travel
from the Expo Line to downtown Culver City. IndieCade has also made requests that
the City solicit donations of items (not in the City’s inventory) from outside
organizations such as additional crossovers and electrical setups.
The following are new or changed requests:
? Use of the Fire Station for additional hours, beyond the approved hours
provided for the last 6 years, at no cost to the event producers but additional
cost for staff time. (Note: The event producer had originally characterized
this new need as being due to a “crowd flow issue” because of a gap in time
between the end of the event held at the Fire Station and the beginning of
another event. In a more recent e-mail, the event producer has requested
additional time. The late request for these hours seems to conflict with an
opportunity for event attendees to patronize downtown restaurants during the
event “down time” and allow the Fire Station to return to normal operations at
the same time it did in prior years.)
? Use of the City Hall Courtyard for the outdoor IndieCade Night Games. In
past years, it was held at Parcel B but Ms. Barish indicated the changeover
from the day portion of the event in that space to the Night Games was
difficult. Approval of use would need to be conditional upon the ability to
close off the courtyard, lack of conflict with Kirk Douglas Theatre
performances and safety measures. (There is no special event fee for the use
of the Courtyard.)
? Use of Council Chambers for the Friday portion of the conference, heretofore
held at the Foshay Lodge located across the street in Los Angeles. IndieCade
expressed great satisfaction with last year’s use of the Chambers on
Saturday and Sunday. (There is no special event fee for use of the Council
Chambers.)
? Use of additional rooms for IndieXchange and rooms for Volunteer meetings
at Veterans Memorial Building prior to the event (Increase in cost and City of Culver City, California
Agenda Item Report
correction of costs for lobby rental increase the waiver request for this year by
approximately $2,100.)
? Beer Garden open throughout entire event, instead of only on Friday Night for
4 hours. (Increase in hard costs to be paid to Police Department. Does not
affect financial assistance request.)
Last year, City Council approved a fee waiver for the in-kind costs in an amount of
$13,360. This year IndieCade is requesting a value of $16,223.
Please note that the event producers have still not been able to identify a space that
will work for their awards show but continue to look for a space inside Culver City
limits.
The Festival continues to generate increased pedestrian activity and increased sales
for the area and garner international awareness of Culver City as a media arts
nexus. Benefits to the City can be viewed as part of the 2014 IndieCade Wrap-Up
document (see Attachment.)
The producers request: (1) that the Successor Agency Board waive property rental
fees, (2) the City Council waive equipment and rental fees and authorize in-kind staff
time during regular business hours, and the City Council approve City sponsorship
for this event. The producers also request that City Council again waive the
requirement for CCPD at the events held at Veterans Memorial Building where
alcohol will be served.
Also, at the City Council meeting of April 13, 2015, the City Council (during
consideration of a request for sponsorship) provided the following direction:
“that future requests for City sponsorship be accompanied by financial data from
the requesting group.”
Staff has provided the Producer with a reminder of the above direction and the
producer has indicated that she will provide financial information to the City Council
on the night of the meeting
FISCAL ANALYSIS:
Dedication of in-kind staff time to each of the events would mean a reduced
availability of staff time for other City efforts but would not create an additional fiscal
impact to the City. IndieCade is also asking for permit fees to be waived, which
would result in less revenue than would otherwise be collected absent a fee waiver.
As detailed in the attachments, it is proposed that staff time during regular business City of Culver City, California
Agenda Item Report
hours, property and equipment rental fees, and permit fees be waived (by City
Council and Successor Agency combined) in the amount of $16,223.00.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. IndieCade list of requests and spreadsheet of City costs requested for fee
waiver.
2. Wrap-Up Review of IndieCade 2014
MOTION:
That the City Council:
1. Determine what level of in-kind financial assistance to provide for the
IndieCade Festival; and,
2. (In the case such in-kind financial assistance is determined to be at least
$1,000), consider designating IndieCade Festival as a City-Sponsored event;
and,
3. Approve a License Agreement between the City and Creative Collaborative
Media, Inc. for the use of City public rights-of-way, property, equipment and
in-kind staff time; and
4. Authorize the City Attorney to review/prepare the necessary documents; and,
5. Authorize the City Manager to execute such documents on behalf of the City.
That the Successor Agency Board:
1. Waive the rental fees for Successor Agency-Owned properties for the 2015
IndieCade Festival ($572 for Parcel B for one week plus one day); and,
2. Approve a License Agreement between the Successor Agency and Creative
Collaborative Media, Inc. for the use of 9300 Culver Boulevard (Parcel B);
and
3. Authorize Successor Agency General Counsel to review/prepare the
necessary documents; and,
City of Culver City, California
Agenda Item Report
4. Authorize the Executive Director to execute such documents on behalf of the
City.
MEETING DATE: May 26, 2015
AGENDA ITEM: JOINT CITY COUNCIL AND SUCCESSOR AGENCY
BOARD AGENDA ITEM: (1) Consideration of the
Amount of In-Kind Assistance for and Possible City
Sponsorship of IndieCade: International Festival of
Independent Games; and (2) Approval of Related
License Agreements.
ATTACHMENTS
Pages
1. IndieCade list of requests and spreadsheet of 1-6
City costs requested for fee waiver.
2. Wrap-Up Review of IndieCade 2014 7-44
IndieCade 2015
Partnership Requests/ City of Culver City
Equipment
? Crossovers a nd electric a l set up s (please see electrical co n tri bution from
2013 and 2014)
? Exten sion c o rds for electrical i n the fire statio n and Old Wash /Parc e l B
(please see electric al contributio n from 2013 and 2014)
? Furniture a n d equipment at V ets M e morial (ta bles, chairs, podiu ms,
microphones, speakers)
? Ba rri ca de s
? Trash and r e cycle bins
City spaces:
? Fire station (Games Gallery) a nd sp a ce in front of station
? Vets Memo r ial (IndieX c hange on O ctober 22 n d and pr e-even t volun teer
meetings -|99|in to tal – prior to events) ** Not e : Volunteer me et ings h eld for|99|
hours total, 50-70 people
? Use of conference roo m at City H all (6 times total for pre-prod uction
meetings d uring norm al business hours (M-Th and alter n at e Frida ys f r om
7:30am-5:30pm)
? City C ouncil Chambers, Patacchia Room, Patacchia Overflow Room for
Conference S essions (Fri/Sat/Sun, October 23 rd-25
th
, 2015 8AM-6PM)
? City Hall Co urtyard (Po t ent i al alt er nat e locatio n for Night Gam es)
? Downtown T own Plaz a (Potentiall y for Info booth, art installati on and
possible booth space)
? Parcel B and Old Wash Rd. (IndieCade village – tents, board gam es, B i g
Games, sponsor booths, Creator’s Lounge, Beer Garded, Registrat io n, N ight
Games) – from Monday, October 19
th
– Monday, October 26
th
, 2015
? Media Park
? Park ing Spa c es for Ind ieCad e st a ff in Inc e (in t h e event th at P arce l B is mostly
used for event spac e )
List of the activities for all of the spaces for the event
1? Fire station: Games Gallery, Medi a preview, public Game Walk, m edia
int e rv iews
? Downtown P laza: info r m ation booth, possible art installa t i on, p ossible
addit i onal exhibitions f or the public,
? Old Wash Road: tents w ith Regist ratio n , Festival Sessions, Loun ge, IndieCad e
Selects Games, Sponsor tents, bi g games, Production tent, b o ard games,
family gam es space, performances
? Parcel B: Tents, Big Games, Staff p a rking, Beer Garden
? (Foshay) and Ivy: Co n ference
? City C ouncil Chambers: C onference
? City Council Conference Room : pre-production meetings
? Vets Memo r ial: I ndieX change summit and vol u nteer meet-ups
List of anything else you are requesting use of from the City (including the
banner request, internet connections, marketing online, etc.) that might have
a cost associated with it.
? Vets Memo r ial costs pa id (hours of the October 22nd IndieXchange a n d
added|99|slo t s for volunteer meet ings leading up to the event).
? Ability to br i ng del iveries and som e small set up in the Vets m emoria l
even ing/ n ight of Octo ber 21
st
.
? City C hambers and City Confe rence Room rental cost paid
? Banners (approx|99|street banners , 20-30 pole banners) h u ng in C ulver City
** Last year the city cov ered ban ner permit f ees for Ind i eCade. We wo uld
like to r e quest the s a me assistanc e this year.
? Bus ads (fees only, ins ide buses, In diecad e prints the s ign s)
? Bus signs telling people which bu s to take fro m the metro to do wntown to
get to IndieC ade
? Internet connect ions f or IndieCa de Village, The Fire station an d Vets
Memorial – 2014 a portion of this was provid ed through a sponso rs hip with
Time War n er Cable. We will aga i n work to make this hap p en; howe ve r
int e rn et acc essibilit y is crucial for t h e event.
? Electrical wiring and su pport – s taff rates for setup during re gular business
hours
? Promotions via the c ity website
? Staff support during p e rmitting process
? Transportation permits for trucks making deliveries
? Sound permit
? Events p ermit
? Sanitatio n – trash and recycle bins
Please see more details about a p reliminary p roduction s c hedule below (includes
spaces):
2Monday, October 19th - Friday, October 23rd – setting up Old Was h Rd. and
Parcel B for IndieCade Village
? Deliver ies o f tents mad e
? Setting up tents, umbrellas, signag e , artwork, e tc.
? Setting up all electrical a nd internet
* Note: “Village” r e fers t o the in fo b ooth in Plaza, Parc el B a nd Old Wash (and
perhaps Media Park if we use that)
** Note: Conferenc e has tradition ally been held at the Ivy Subs tation a nd the Fos hay
Lodge. As in 2014, w e would like to use the City Council Chamb ers ra ther than the
Foshay for t he second confer enc e t rack, alongs ide the I v y
*** Delivery and minor set up in Vets Memorial requested for Wednesday, October
21
st
, around the convenience and sch edule of the sta ff a n d rent als.
**** Set up o f Culver City Hill Co urtyard r e quested within t his period as well.
Primar ily s e t up will ta ke p lace Saturday, Octo b er 24
th
, with some rentals arr i ving
during the main set up period as well as pick up of rentals.
Thursday, October 22
nd
Time Lo ca tion Organizer Bad g e A cces s Desc ript io n |10 9|AM- 4PM VETS Educa t i on a nd
Adva ncement
Commi ttee
Complimen t ary for
developers w ho
submit t o
IndieCa d e,
Industry by
i n vi tati on
IndieXchange : M a ster
clas se s, P ane l s, Cli ni cs,
Screenings, an d Sh ow a nd
Tell, Opening Coffee & Lunch
Break. |10 9|AM- 4PM VETS Educa t i on a nd
Adva ncement
Commi ttee
Invitation onl y
(Private)
Ha nd pi c k e d meet ing s .
4:00 pm –
6:00 pm
VETS E duc a ti on a nd
Adva ncement
Commi ttee
Complimen t ary for
developers w ho
submit t o
IndieCa d e,
Industry by
i n vi tati on
Ga me Ta s t i ng Recept i on
8:00 pm –
Midnight
TBD Events: Aw ar ds
Ceremony
Commi ttee
Invite only
(Private)
Awa rds ceremony a n d pa rt y.
3Friday, October 23
rd
Time L ocation Organizer/Cu ra
tor
Bad g e A cces s D e scription |10 9|a m -
6:00pm
Conf erence
Theaters (Ivy)
and Ci ty H all
Chambers)
Conf erence
Commi ttee
All Access Professional Conference
Sessions
10a m –|99|pm V illa g e Act ivit ies
Commi ttee
(Fes tival Ch ai rs
and Curators)
9: am – 1 pm
Open for field
trips for local
schools. 11 am
onward: All
Acces s
Exhibitions
Only
Exhibitors, eSports, Big
games, Table Games,
Digital Selections,
Exhibitors, Activities,
Sessions, Screenings
4-7 Firehouse Jury and
Curator s
Me di a and
Invited Guests
Opening of nominee a nd
awar d winning games.
2- 9 V illage S pecial events
com mit t ee
All Access /
Media
Be e r Garde n P a rty an d
ga me s wi th m usi c fr o m
games and games
i n te gra t e d i nt o the sp ace .
Note: on Friday we will open the Village early to allow for field trips from
schools (high school primarily) with games, film, and technology programs
in the morning (indicated above). Following, we will have activities for the
Exhibits only pass holders: opening the games to play on Friday, Show -and -
Tell, and Creators’ lounge for start (may add more).
Saturday, October 24
th
Time L ocation Organizer/Cu ra
tor
Bad g e A cces s D e scription |10 9|a m -6 pm Conf e rence
Theaters (Ivy
and Ci ty H all
coun c il
Chambers)
Conf erence
Commi ttee an d
Educ ati o n and
Adva ncement
Commi ttee
All Access Morning is GameU
pro g ra m and af te rno o n
is Pro fessi onal
Conf erence
10 am – |99|p m Village Activities
Commi ttee
(Fes tival Ch ai rs
and Curators)
All Access
Exhibition Onl y
Festiv al Sessi ons: a
combinat ion of art ist s ’
panels and ke ynotes.
10a m –|99| pm V illa g e Act ivit ies
Commi ttee
(Fes tival Ch ai rs
and Curators)
All Access
Exhibition Onl y
Screening s a nd art ist
tal ks
10 am – |99|p m Firehouse Jury and
Curator s
F ree t o public N ominee a n d a w a r d
winning game s
10 am- |99|p m Village Activities
Commi ttee
(Fes tival Ch ai rs
and
All Access
Fe st Plus
Fe sti v al D ay
GameU
Exhibitors, eSports, Big
games, Table Games,
Digital Selections,
Exhibitors, Activities,
4Sessions, Screenings
No on-12am Village S pecial event s
com mit t ee
All Acces s / M edia Beer Garden games wi th
music from games an d
ga me s i n te gra t e d i nt o
t h e spa c e.
6- 9 pm Village Special events
com mit t ee
All Acces s / M edia B eer Garden P a rty an d
ga me s wi th m usi c fr o m
games and games
i n te gra t e d i nt o the
space. |109|pm -
midnigh t
City Hall
Courty ar d
Ni gh t G a me s
Commi ttee
All Access
Exhibition Onl y
(Satur day )
Ni gh t G a me s
Note: on Saturday and Sunday the GameU program will be the conference
content for the morning and then professional conference will then resume
after lunch.
5Sunday, October 25th
Time L ocation Organizer/Cu ra
tor
Bad g e A cces s D e scription |10 9|a m -6 pm Conf e rence
Theaters (Ivy
and Ci ty H all
coun c il
Chambers)
Conf erence
Commi ttee an d
Educ ati o n and
Adva ncement
Commi ttee
All Access Morning is GameU
pro g ra m and af te rno o n i s
Pro f ession al C onference
No on – |99|p m Village E duc a ti on a nd
Adva ncement
Commi ttee
All Acces s
(Stu dent)
GameU Se ssio n s
11 a m (or
some t ime
during t he d a y )
Villa g e Act ivit ies
com mit t ee
All Access
Exhibition Onl y
Keynote
11 am – |99|p m
(int ermitt ent
Villa g e Act ivit ies
com mit t ee
All Access
Exhibition Onl y
Well-pla yed screening s …
10 a m - 12 pm Villa g e /
Fire house
Curator s an d
Jury
All Access
(developers)
Developer “coffee crawl”
No on – |99|p m Village /
Fire house
Curator s an d
jury
F ree a n d open t o
the pub l i c
Nominees, Aw a rd
winners, and selections
No on-7 pm Village Special events
com mit t ee
All Acces s / M edia B eer Garden P a rty an d
ga me s wi th m usi c fr o m
games and games
i n te gra t e d i nt o the sp ace . |109|pm Village Award
Commi ttee
All Access
Exhibition Onl y
Closing Awar ds
Ceremony an d P ar ty
6INDIECADE
CITY COSTS FOR 2015
COSTS REQUESTED FOR WAIVER 2014 Costs 2015 Costs
Property Rental Fees
Parcel B $572.00 $572.00
Old Washington Blvd 450.00 450.00
Media Park (2 days and commercial rate) 1,000.00 1,000.00
Veteran's Memorial Building Room Rentals/Staff (IndieXchange) 4,553.00 6,477.00
Room Rentals for 3 Volunteer meetings (Garden Room) N/A 642.00
30 Parking spaces for IndieCade staff 5 days x $6) 900.00 900.00
Town Plaza 0.00 0.00
Fire Station #1 0.00 0.00
City Council Chambers 0.00 0.00
City Hall Courtyard (Night Games) 0.00 0.00
City Hall Conference Room (6-8 times for 2 hours each) 0.00 0.00
In-Kind Staff Costs
Staff Time (In Kind Cost for coordination, PW, and PRCS staff) 3,500.00 3,800.00
In-Kind Equipment Rental
PRCS Equipment Rental 55.00 55.00
Electrical Equipment 1,440.00 1,440.00
Sanitation Bins 120.00 120.00
Permit fee requested to be Waived
Banner permit fee 119.00 119.00
Banner 4% surcharge for permit/install 40.16 40.16
Special event permit fee $45.00 $45.00
Fire Prevention fee 125.74 125.74
street closure - eng. permit 312.00 312.00
Recycle/Waste Permit fee 125.00 125.00
TOTAL WAIVER REQUEST $13,356.90 $16,222.90
HARD COSTS (To be paid for by Producer)
Staff Time (Day of Event)
Police (Night Event , Beer Garden) $440.00 $3,960.00
Fire Department 0.00 0.00
PRCS (security guards, Haynes) 315.00 315.00
Sanitation costs 332.00 332.00
TOTAL HARD COSTS $1,087.00 $4,607.00
7
2014 Overview
“IndieCade, the video game industry’s Sundance.” Los Angeles Times
8
2014 Overview
IndieCade supports independent game development and organizes a series of
international events showcasing the future of independent games. It
encourages, publicizes, and cultivates innovation and artistry and diversity in
interactive media, helping to create a public perception of games as rich,
diverse, artistic, and culturally signi?cant.
IndieCade:
International Festival of Independent Games
9
2014 Overview
ATTENDEE DEMOGRAPHICS
39%
61%
Male
Female
14%
57%
28%
1%
> 18
18 - 24
25 - 35
< 35
Gender
Age
Over four days in October 2014 more than 5,000 attendees converged on
Culver City for IndieCade’s festival, conference, and special events!!!
10
2014 Overview
These up-and-coming developers and their constituencies have a tendency toward
early adoption of technology and the promotion and determination of cultural trends.
ATTENDEE DEMOGRAPHICS
18%
35%
47%
> $50,000
$50,000 - $100,000
< $100,000
1%
30%
58%
11%
High School Grad
Undergraduate
Graduate
Other
Income Education
11
2014 Overview
250+ Playable Games including independent games on major platforms such
as Sony PlayStation and Nintendo
36 Nominated Games & 12 Award Winning Games
Game Developers from around-the Nation and the World including:
Canada
France
Spain
Brazil
UK
Italy
Taiwan
New Zealand
Poland
The Netherlands
Sweden
Mexico
Argentina
Australia
Switzerland
Japan
China
India
Korea
Belgium
Portugal
Chile
and more…
ADDITIONAL DEMOGRAPHICS
62%
38%
Overseas
Out of State
67%
33%
California
Los Angles Area
41% were local to Southern
California while 48% came from out
of state or overseas
12
2014 Overview
ECONOMIC STUDY
Attendees coming to IndieCade throughout the event were surveyed and
the following economic survey information was established
58% of surveyed attendees
had not come to Culver City in the past year
73% said IndieCade
is the only reason they come to Culver City
31% had returned to Culver City
3x in the last year
34% estimated
they would spend $200 +
on food, drinks, housing, parking, and transportation
when they were in Culver City
57% estimate
spending $400 +
on food, drinks, housing, parking, and transportation
when they were in Culver City.
13
2014 Overview
EVENTS: PRE EVENT DEVELOPER SUMMIT
The IndieXchange is a free invitation-only event for all developers who
submitted games to IndieCade to receive special feedback, opportunities
to meet major players in the industry, and necessary practical sessions.
The event is an opportunity for game
creators from around the world to show
games to one another and share and
culminates in an annual “game tasting.”
14
2014 Overview
GAMEPLAY
Throughout the weekend the public is welcomed to Fire Station One to have play
IndieCade’s premiere games - the ones that have been nominated or won
awards. The creators from around the world are with their games and it is a
unique opportunity for the public to get to play many of these games well before
they may be available.
15
2014 Overview
GAMEPLAY
Independent game creators save their limited resources to come to Culver City
each year for this opportunity and honor to show their work at Fire Station One.
It is this diversity of experience and creators that is at the heart of the even and
completely unique for the game industry.
16
2014 Overview
GAMEPLAY
Unlike other game events in the nation, IndieCade’s fresh content is family-
friendly and focused on empowering youth to understand and experience the
greater cultural meaning behind these games and their creators.
17
2014 Overview
EVENTS: PROFESSIONAL CONFERENCE
With a focus on community this conference is created for the Independent
game developers whose games are in the festival as a speci?c bene?t and
opportunity for them. More than 50 speakers came and presented their work
to one another and discussed important topics for the community.
18
2014 Overview
EVENTS: GameU
Educating Youth and Interested Professionals, IndieCade provides a GameU
experience of open tents with the opportunity to bring game education out into
the public sphere throughout the weekend. Sessions include introduction to
game design, di?erent technologies, and information about school programs.
19
2014 Overview
SIGNATURE EVENTS: NIGHT GAMES
Playing games at Night under the stars! At this annual event artists and
technologists create special games for this onsite experience. This speci?c
event draws additional audience who come to Culver to make a night of it!
20
2014 Overview
SIGNATURE EVENTS: PARTIES
Increasingly each year, small studios and important publishers hold receptions,
dinners, and parties throughout Downtown Culver City to promote their games,
inviting local industry and media.
“
Last
year
recep,on
hosted
by
E--Line
Media
was
a
great
success
and
the
space
was
u,lized
to
its
fullest
….”
--
The
Culver
Hotel
21
2014 Overview
SIGNATURE EVENTS: PARTIES
Additionally, large game developer centered parties funded by publishers have
grown to ?ll entire restaurants and have lines down the block.
“
Last
year
Rush
Street
hosted
a
private
event
on
Friday
Night
It
was
a
great
event
for
both
IndieCade
and
Rush
Street
and
we
hope
to
be
able
to
do
it
again
….”
Rush
Street
22
2014 Overview
ENJOYING CULVER CITY
“Culver City was one of my favorite parts of the event, and allowed for
networking opportunities that have had a huge impact on my work and
delicious food.” Willy Chyr (Gamemaker from New York)
23
2014 Overview
ENJOYING CULVER CITY
“Meeting with friends is most of why I come to the festival. For indie devs it is
really important to get together and it is the only time of year that we all wait
for and get together and get to sit around and eat fried chicken with honey
and then play each others games.” Taiyoung Li (game industry from Korea)
24
2014 Overview
ENJOYING CULVER CITY
“Staying at the Culver Hotel is an ideal trip to Los Angeles. There is no need for
a car with the festival out the front door and wonderful restaurants all within
walking distance.” Bob Drwila (Business Development from Seattle)
25
2014 Overview
WORDS OF SUPPORT: AT A GLANCE
IndieCade is delighted to partner with Culver City and its businesses. We are
grateful for the support and thrilled to make such a positive economic impact
on the City and its business. A word from some of our friends ….
“IndieCade has cemented Culver City as the center of the Los Angeles games scene. It's what inspired
me and my friends to open up Glitch City (a games-centric co-working space) on Washington.…. I am
writing this now from Akasha!”
Asher Vollmer: Game Developer Threes, Glitch City Cofounder
“Last year, we did nearly all of our meetings in [The Culver Hotel] lobby and bought food, coffees and
cocktails. I took developers for lunch at Kay & Dave's, Grand Casino, and Public School, had dinner
with industry contacts at Lyfe Kitchen and Rush Street as well as drinks at City Tavern.”
Caspar Gray: Agent, The Arsenal Agency
? “…we had a spike in sales during that weekend. We're always in support of cool, forward-thinking
festivals like IndieCade coming to Culver City to support the local community and add fun, feel-good
vibes to the neighborhood.”
Tender Greens
“We see a lot more foot traffic, which is not only from IndieCade members but from others driving by.
They see the lively streets so of course that always brings more people into town. More people around
means more business for us!”
Kay ‘n’ Dave’s ? “Last year we hosted a private event for IndieCade on Friday night. It was a great event for both
IndieCade and Rush Street and we hope to be able to do it again this year. The excitement of the
IndieCade experience energizes the entire weekend with significant increases in foot traffic and
business in downtown Culver City.”
Rush Street
“Public School benefited from the festival by an increase in approximately 5% sales - almost a $1000
increase in sales each day of the event…we had a good increase in lunch/brunch business, as well as
a good bump to our bar revenue center.”
Public School 310
26
2014 Overview
WORDS OF SUPPORT: AT A GLANCE
“It was very beneficial to our company! Not only did we receive many staff members in our restaurants,
but we also saw a lot of the guests to the festival as well. We appreciated the business they brought
and look forward to them coming back in 2015.”
Daphne’s California Greek
“The Culver Hotel, right in the heart of all the activities, always plays an important role during the
festival and has been used in the past throughout the years during the week and especially on the
weekends for gatherings as well as more organized receptions by several of the attendees… Last year
reception hosted by E-Line Media was a great success and the space was utilized to its fullest with
several displays of upcoming games.”
The Culver Hotel
“Over the four days of the festival, the downtown-Culver-City establishments are filled with IndieCade
attendees meeting together to do business and to bring business to Culver City.”
Mogol Games
“While the festival is under way, the downtown Culver City establishments are filled with IndieCade
attendees and our colleagues meeting together to do business and to bring business to Culver City.
Hyperkinetic believes that it is commendable for the City of Culver City to support an event that can
help keep our downtown vibrant and relevant in a highly competitive region. IndieCade has also helped
to expand the image of Culver City, and has also brought a new crowd of consumers and sightseers to
our downtown every year.”
Hyperkinetic Studios
“Not only does it attract major game companies and technology firms to Culver City, it brings Culver
City residents to downtown to experience what’s going on in the forefront of entertainment… Video
Games are on the verge of becoming a $100 billion industry worldwide and it’s rare for a city like ours to
be able to command such an enormous amount of mindshare as a place that promotes, supports and
celebrates its ascendance as an increasingly important segment of entertainment.”
Survios
“IndieCade was my first introduction to Culver City, it was the first reason I had to travel there. I stayed
in the historic Culver Hotel and had a wonderful time being in the city over the weekend during
IndieCade. “
Pendleton Ward: Animator, Producer, and Creator of Adventure Time
Full email/ letters attached at the end of the document.
27Type to enter text
MEDIA COVERAGE
IndieCade www.IndieCade.com +1.310.999.1054 sbarish@indiecade.com
"These indie developers are the ones changing the way we game.”
“... [T]he rise of the indies can be traced in no small part to IndieCade, a quirky ,
artful gathering, that attracts people from around the world to an event that’s
known as the Sundance of games.”
"...where risk-taking design choices and anything-goes unpredictability take
precedence...”
"IndieCade functions as a friendly wake up call that games are an art form too. ”
"... [IndieCade] spotlights the greatest minds in independent game development.”
28Type to enter text
Print: 2.5 million +
Broadcast: 2 million +
Outdoor: 2 million +
Online: 5 million +
Email blasts: 250,000 +
Social Media: 2.6 million
Guerrilla Marketing: 20,000 +
IMPRESSIONS
2014 Media included onsite accreditation of more than 250 journalists who generated articles,
reviews, social media/blog posts.|10 10|1250000
2500000
3750000
5000000
Print Digital
29Type to enter text
IndieCade Foundation
Of all the media arts, we believe games are uniquely
positioned to transform society by promoting diversity;
fostering democratic discourse, and inspiring new forms of
artistic expression. Our mission is to foster the creation of
game as art by supporting independent game creators
throughout the entire process of game development, from
funding, to production, to distribution.
501c(3) Status as of October 6th, 2014
30Type to enter text
Thank you for your ongoing partnership as we define the future of interactive entertainment together!
IndieCade: The International Festival of Independent Games
1081 Amoroso Place
Venice, CA 90291
www.IndieCade.com
central@indiecade.com
31
Matt Stumacher: Rush Street
Rush Street has been very happy to be a part of the IndieCade experience in Culver City.
It is always a great weekend when IndieCade takes over the Downtown. Last year we hosted a private
event for IndieCade on Friday night. It was a great event for both IndieCade and Rush Street and we
hope to be able to do it again this year.
The excitement of the IndieCade experience energizes the entire weekend with significant increases in
foot traffic and business in downtown Culver City.
Rush Street would like to lend its unqualified support to IndieCade returning to Culver City this year and
for many years to come.
32
Dave Arnieri: Public School 310
Public School benefited from the festival by an increase in approximately 5% sales - almost a $1000
increase in sales each day of the event, over the course of the 4 days it took place. We had a good
increase in lunch/brunch business, as well as a good bump to our bar revenue center. We'd be happy to
see the group back in town again!
Dave A. Arnieri
General Manager
33
Asher Vollmer: Game Developer, Glitch City Cofounder
To Whom It May Concern,
IndieCade has cemented Culver City as the center of the Los Angeles games scene. It's what inspired
me and my friends to open up Glitch City (a games-centric coworking space) on Washington. It was the
reason I bought a house in Palms and patronize downtown Culver City on a daily basis. (I'm writing this
email from Akasha)
IndieCade is what's keeping the west side relevant to independent game developers.
Thanks for your time,
Asher Vollmer
34
Caspar Gray: Agent, The Arsenal Agency
Last year, we did nearly all of our meetings in the hotel lobby and bought food, coffees and cocktails. I
took developers for lunch at Kay & Dave's, Grand Casino, and Public School, had dinner with industry
contacts at Lyfe Kitchen and Rush Street as well as drinks at City Tavern.
Stephanie,
As I mentioned previously, Tina and I have had good business experiences the last two years at
IndieCade. In 2013, Tina & our client Giant Squid Studios met with a number of publishers at the Culver
Hotel to show their game ABZU and subsequently signed with 505 Games. Last year, we were back at
the hotel and held half a dozen meetings with publishers for White Rabbit- while they eventually signed
with a publisher who wasn't at the show, all but one of the publishers they met at IndieCade made an
offer for their title Death's Gambit.
While neither of those studios are located in Culver, both are in the wider local area (Giant Squid is in
Santa Monica and the White Rabbit guys graduated from USC in 2013).
We anticipate being back for this year's event and hopefully having just as much success! Good luck for
your meeting with the council and let us know if there's anything more we can do to help ensure the
show happens as planned this October.
Best,
Caspar
35
Christina Wong: Tender Greens
In regards to last year's event …we had a spike in sales during that weekend. We're always in support of
cool, forward-thinking festivals like IndieCade coming to Culver City to support the local community and
add fun, feel-good vibes to the neighborhood.
Hope you're able to return to Culver City this year!
36
Dave Licht: Kay ‘n Dave’s
Our experience with IndieCade has been a good one, and we'd certainly be in favor of your return.
Warm regards,
Dave Licht
Silvia Lopez: Kay ‘n’ Dave’s
IndieCade in Culver City definitely makes a difference. We see a lot more foot traffic, which is not only
from IndieCade members but from others driving by. They see the lively streets so of course that always
brings more people into town. More people around means more business for us! So thank you for
including us.
Best,
Silvia Lopez
37
Pendleton Ward: Animator, Producer, creator of Adventure Time
IndieCade was my first introduction to Culver City, it was the first reason I had to travel there. I stayed in
the historic Culver Hotel and had a wonderful time being in the city over the weekend during IndieCade.
The event is a specialized festival that attracts clever, interesting, entertainment entrepreneurs in the
gaming industry to Culver City. In my opinion, the potential blossoming of a unique creative hub in the
heart of Culver City is a positive boon!
Good day!
-Pendleton Ward
38
Andrew Tucker: Daphne’s California Greek
To whom it may concern,
We here at Daphne's really enjoyed having the IndieCade Festival here in October of 2014. It was very
beneficial to our company! Not only did we receive many staff members in our restaurants, but we also
saw a lot of the guests to the festival as well. We appreciated the business they brought and look
forward to them coming back in 2015. Thank you IndieCade!
Andrew Tucker
Daphne's California Greek
Akira Thompson: Game Developer
I've been making games in Culver City for the past 2 years. The ONLY reason I've been in Culver is
because of IndieCade and the community that it is growing and supporting.
Without IndieCade game developers would have no reason to be in or remain in Culver City.
39
K-ZO
We would be happy to support the IndieCade Festival. We recognized there was a lot of traffic in the
town. Positive festival energy was going on in the city.
40
To Whom It May Concern,
My name is Chris Lin and I am the owner of Which Wich Superior Sandwiches on Main Street in Downtown Culver
City. Each October, IndieCade is held in the area, and makes a positive impact on the community, as well as the
local businesses. I am writing to support their return to the Downtown Culver City area in 2015.
Thanks and Best WICHes,
Chris Lin
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