Here you’ll find information about presenting your game at North Austin Game Night. Please take the time to read everything here to gain a thorough understanding of how the event operates.
Game Presentation Information FAQ
When is developer set-up and break-down?:
Set-up begins at 5:30, which is 30 minutes before the event starts at 6:00. Developers are encouraged to complete setting up before the event starts. The event ends at 9:30. If after 9:00 your game is not being actively played feel free to begin packing it up and then spending the rest of the evening mingling with event attendees. There is a hard stop for all equipment at 9:30. All developers must turn off their devices and start packing up by 9:30. This ensures we have everything removed from the venue before it closes at 10pm.
What if I’m unable to set-up at 5:30 or have to leave before 9:30?:
No problem! Just make sure to communicate that with the event organizers / event host, preferably before the event, so we can plan for you to set-up in an area that is the most accessible for late set-up and/or early break-down. You may arrive before 5:30 but don’t expect us to be ready for you until 5:30.
Does the venue have a happy hour until 6:00?:
Crazy you would ask that. Yes! You should order your food and drinks before 6:00 to save some money $$$. The 6:00 start of the event is fairly light and may be a good opportunity to eat before the event ramps up later on.
What equipment do developers need to bring?:
Developers are responsible for bringing all equipment required to demo their game. This may include: A laptop, mobile device, PC, or console with power cord. A monitor (limit to 17”-27” for single-player) with HDMI and power cord. A keyboard. A mouse and mouse pad. Controllers. We suggest bringing headphones for single-player games as the space can get loud.
Please test your equipment before coming to the event. Developers bring their equipment at their own risk. If any equipment is damaged during the event, it is not the responsibility of North Austin Game Night nor the responsibility of the event venue nor event attendees. Please be careful not to create a tripping hazard with your wires or equipment.
What equipment is provided by NAGN?:
We bring surge protectors for all game setups and will have them set out for developers before they arrive.
We bring a few larger 1080p HDMI TV screens. Priority for these screens is always given to multi-player games and they will be reserved in advance. Remaining non-reserved TVs are first-come, first-served at the discretion of event organizers.
TV A - 40” Samsung - Located on the “square table”.
TV B - 40” Samsung - Located on the “booth table”
TV C - 55” Toshiba - Located on the “double square tables”.
We bring some additional backup equipment meant for developers who may have forgotten to pack a piece of equipment such as an HDMI cord, power cord, mouse, etc. so let an event organizer know if you forgot equipment, we may have a replacement you can borrow.
Where do developers set up?:
Setup positions are handled by event organizers as developers arrive. Please speak with an event organizer upon your arrival and we will assist you in choosing your placement from the remaining available positions. Please do not set up without speaking to an event organizer as some positions may be reserved in advance.
We have 4 spots on the “long table” meant for single-player games.
We have 1 spot on the “square table” meant for a single-player game.
We have 1 spot on the “square table with TV-A” meant for a single-player or multi-player game.
We have 1 spot on the “booth table with TV-B” meant for a single-player or up to 2-player game.
We have 1 spot on the “double square tables with TV-C” meant for 2+ player games.
What about VR/XR games?:
We are able to isolate a small section of the venue for players to play XR games. Because of space limitations any XR games must be seated or stand-in-place experiences. We suggest bringing a monitor that can stream the XR device content through something like Chromecast or wired connection so everyone can see what players are doing in the game.
How often can I demo my game at NAGN?:
There isn’t a hard limit on this, you can show as much as you want. We do have limited space, so for now you can show your game every other month at most. At our discretion we may ask that you forgo showing if games new to NAGN are seeking a slot at a filled event you have signed up for. We will do our best to accommodate your game.
I’m demoing a violent game with lots of blood at the event. Some kid walks up and wants to play. What should I do?:
If the kid appears to be 10 years or older, just let them play. They’ve likely seen similar or worse in other games or media. If they are under 10, you may tell them, if you wish, to ask for their parent’s permission to play, or you can just let them play. We’re not here to police anyone, and it will never be held against a developer if they allow a kid to play or observe their violent game.
How can I help, beyond bringing a game to present?:
We encourage you to invite friends and members of your community to attend the event. Feel free to copy the event advertisement graphic(s) for reposting. Most people learn about our event through word-of-mouth and shares on social media. Thanks for helping us get the word out.
Game Submission Information FAQ
How many games are allowed to present at NAGN events?:
Due to the size of our current venue and the furniture available to us, we have a maximum of 8 game slots for demoing at each event and we attempt to fill that maximum for each event. Game demo slots are first-come first-served.
What do I need to do in order to present my game at North Austin Game Night?:
All games that present at NAGN must fill out the game submission sign up form located at the bottom of this page. Once the form is submitted, the NAGN host will reach out to you at your provided contact information. If your submission needs changes to be accepted the host will let you know. Then you’ll select from available future dates to show at NAGN. You must have a completed and accepted submission AND confirmed your presentation date with the event host in order to reserve your spot.
When is the deadline for submissions?:
The deadline for submissions is 19 days before the event. As an example, January 21st event submissions would be due by January 2nd. We try to fill future events as soon as we can. You should complete the submission process sooner rather than later to reserve your spot. There is a high chance that the event will be filled before the deadline, so don’t delay.
My game submission was accepted and the date was confirmed, but my game didn’t appear in the graphic advertisement. What gives?:
Due to the format of our graphic ad, only the first 6 games to sign up will be shown in the graphic AD announcement. We may revisit this format in the future. If games share a theme with the current month, such as horror games for October, we will prioritize those games into the ad. Returning games may not make it into the ad in order to share the spotlight and highlight games presenting at NAGN for the first time. You’ll increase your chances of getting into the ad by submitting your game as early as you can. You can sign up months in advance for events.
I signed up for an event but I need to update my game information and/or images I’ve submitted for the game. How do I do that?:
Contact the NAGN host to update your game information. We keep detailed files for all game submissions. If you need to update the images you’ve submitted for your game, add them to this google drive here.
Then contact the host to let them know that you’ve added them (the host is not automatically notified when images are added to this drive folder).
I signed up for an event but I need to cancel. What should I do?:
You won’t be the first game or the last game to cancel your reservation, so don’t sweat it. Let the NAGN host know ASAP so we might be able to fill your slot with an alternate presenter who may have wanted to show at that event. You can cancel for any reason.
I signed up for an event and didn’t show up. Am I a monster?:
Well yes and no. A simple message to the host to cancel means someone could have demoed at your spot. But hey, it happens, and it isn’t the end of the world. Failing to show at the event will not disqualify you from showing at future events. Let’s talk about trying again some other time.