SXSWORLD

IN BRIEF 6 SXS W O R L D | F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 9 | SXSW.COM SXSW Gaming Tournaments Lineup Announced SXSW Gaming has announced the first batch of games and tournaments for the PC Arena, Arcade Bunker, and Tabletop Experience. These areas will feature community favorites alongside the latest releases from both 2018 and 2019. The events are open for sign up to SXSW attendees with a SXSW Gaming Wristband or any SXSW Badge. Just make sure to have your teams ready by the time you arrive! See gaming.sxsw.com for the full lineup along with details on how to participate. Spotlight on Esports at SXSW Gaming Competition has long been a part of the gaming world, but the explosion of esports into the mainstream has opened new doors and created unlikely avenues for cooperation and innovation. This year's SXSW Gaming sessions will explore the growing influence of esports with such Featured Speakers as Ann Hand (CEO of Super League Gaming); Nate Nanzer (Commissioner of the Overwatch League); Delane Parnell (CEO of PlayVS); Tobias Sherman (Founder and CEO of FOUNDRY IV); University of California, Irvine's Constance Steinkuehler (Professor of Informatics) and Mark Deppe (Director of Esports); Michael Prindiville (CEO of Dignitas); and Peter Levin (President of Interactive Ventures of Lionsgate). L-R: Ann Hand, Nate Nanzer, Delane Parnell, Tobias Sherman Photo by Jeremiah Dearinger LGBTQ+ and Other Topics Featured in Series of Sessions Back for 2019, Series of Sessions programming identifies themes within the 25 Tracks of SXSW Conference programming, enabling registrants to dig even further into specific areas of interest. The LGBTQ+ Series of Sessions will be held at the JW Marriott (110 E. 2nd St.) from Friday, March 8–Sunday, March 10 with such highlights as Jacob Tobia's solo session: F*&K Your Beauty Norms: The Power of Trans Beauty, The Future is Fluid: How Identity Evolves panel featuring Robyn Exton, Founder of the HER dating app, and The Future of Gender Identities in Art & Media panel with speakers from Adolescent Content, a digital platform for creative youths. Other Series of Sessions at the JW Marriott include HBCU (March 8–10), Art (March 11–12) and Accessibility (March 13–14). The Hilton Austin (400 E. 5th St.) will host the Austin (March 10–11), Future of Oceans (March 11–12) and Future of Transportation (March 12-13) Series of Sessions, while Faith-Based will be at The LINE (111 E Cesar Chavez St.), and Film in Music (March 12–13) will take place at the Austin Convention Center. Stay tuned to schedule.sxsw.com for details. Jacob Tobia

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