J.J. Abrams and Gabe Newell to deliver 2013 D.I.C.E. keynote

Even though it’s not directly videogame related, with the official confirmation that J.J. Abrams will be directing Star Wars Episode VII, we’re sure that sitting in on the 2013 D.I.C.E. summit keynote just got a bit more interesting. Not to say that Valve’s Gabe Newell has nothing interesting to say of course.

Abrams and Newell will be double-teaming the upcoming Academy of Interactive Arts and Sciences 2013 D.I.C.E. keynote and will host the ?Storytelling Across Platforms: Who Benefits Most, the Audience or the Player?? session.

Read on for the exciting announcement.

Veteran writer, director and producer J.J. Abrams (Star Trek, Person of Interest, Revolution) and Valve president and co-founder Gabe Newell (Steam, Half-Life, Portal, Counter-Strike, and more) will meet for a special opening keynote discussion at the 2013 D.I.C.E. (Design, Innovate, Communicate, Entertain) Summit (#DICE2013) on Feb. 6, 2013.

The annual Summit, which is produced by the Academy of Interactive Arts and Sciences, brings together the best and brightest minds from the interactive entertainment industry at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Las Vegas.

The two industry legends will meet in Las Vegas for a unique session titled, ?Storytelling Across Platforms: Who Benefits Most, the Audience or the Player??

?From TV to film and now award-winning mobile apps, there?s no question that J.J. has his finger on the pulse of the entertainment industry, and we?re thrilled to welcome him and our 2013 Hall of Fame inductee, Gabe Newell, to the D.I.C.E. stage,? said Martin Rae, president, Academy of Interactive Arts and Sciences. ?J.J. thoughtfully weaves together suspense, action, emotion, and fun into every one of his projects ? elements every game developer aspires to capture as well. Each year, the D.I.C.E. Summit sets the tone for the year ahead in games and adding J.J. and Gabe?s shared insights is a natural fit as we see all forms of entertainment converge.?

Abrams is the founder and president of Bad Robot Productions. Formed in 2001, Bad Robot has produced films and television series such as Cloverfield, Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol, ABC?s Lost, Fox?s Fringe, and CBS?s Person of Interest. In 1998, Abrams co-created his first television series, Felicity; he then created and executive produced Alias in 2001, and co-created and executive produced Lost in 2004. In 2006, Abrams directed his first feature film, Mission: Impossible 3, followed by 2009?s Star Trek and 2011?s Super 8, which he also wrote. His most recent feature, Star Trek Into Darkness, will bow this May.

In 2005, Abrams received Emmy Awards for Outstanding Directing in a Drama Series and Outstanding Drama Series, both for Lost. He also received Emmy nominations for writing the Alias and Lost pilots. In addition, Abrams composed the theme music for Alias, Fringe, Lost,Person of Interest, and Revolution, and he co-wrote the theme song for Felicity. Abrams serves as Executive Producer of CBS?s Person of Interest, Fox?s Fringe, and NBC?s Revolution.

One of Abrams’ latest ventures is Bad Robot Interactive, which co-created Super 8 and created Action Movie FX — two award-winning apps.  Apple recently named Action Movie FX as the iPhone App of the Year.

Newell will also give the Thursday Conference Keynote, entitled ?A View on Next Steps.? The Thursday keynote will focus on where the industry is heading, the advances Valve is making with Steam and Big Picture to prepare for that future, and more. Additionally, Newell will be honored at the upcoming 16th Annual D.I.C.E. Awards on the evening of February 7th as the 2013 AIAS Hall of Fame inductee.

The D.I.C.E. Summit and 16th Annual D.I.C.E. Awards (#DICEAwards) take place February 5 ? 8. To register for the D.I.C.E. Summit or learn more, please visit www.dicesummit.org.