BizSpots: Double Fine, Slapdash Games, Austin GDC, Secret Level

Tim Schafer opens up GCDC
Double Fine founder Tim Schafer has signed on to deliver the keynote address at this year's Games Convention Developers Conference. Speaking on the subject of creativity and games, Schafer will address issues arising from and methods of inserting creativity into modern game design. The veteran game designer most recently won more than a few fans through the tribulations of his studios' critically lauded but sales-challenged Psychonauts. GCDC immediately precedes the Games Convention in Leipzig, Germany, running August 20-22 at the Leipzig Convention Centre.

Slapdash Games opens for business
Scott Hansen, Matthew Molloy, Darren Walker, and Chad Woyewodzic--former members of casual games publisher and developer Mumbo Jumbo--announced earlier this week that they had founded Slapdash Games. The team's credits include the creation of popular puzzle game Luxor and Chainz 2: Relinked. Joining the four and acting as the companies CEO will be Marcus Hopkins, who also currently heads Method Games. Slapdash Games will focus its efforts on casual, cross-platform game development for a wide variety of demographics. The studio has not yet revealed its first project.

Andy Schatz goes online at Austin GDC
CMP Game Group announced today that Pocketwatch Games founder and CEO Andy Schatz will deliver the keynote address at this year's Game Career Seminar at the Austin Game Developers Conference. Titled "A Game Industry Journeyman," Schatz will detail his 12-year adventure from game-industry intern to Pocketwatch Games CEO. The Austin Game Developers Conference, which brings online gaming to the fore, runs September 5-7 at the Austin Convention Center. Previously announced keynote speakers include Final Fantasy XI producer Hiromichi Tanaka and Blizzard president Mike Morhaime.

Darrin Stubbington warps to Secret Level
Sega revealed that industry veteran Darrin Stubbington has been appointed to vice president of production at its internal studio Secret Level. Stubbington's new duties include overseeing Secret Level's development directors, title producers, artists, and engineers working on upcoming titles such as Iron Man and Golden Axe. Previously, Stubbington was executive producer for EA Sports collegiate football series NCAA Football. According to today's announcement, since acquiring Secret Level last year, Sega has grown the studio from 50 to more than 100 employees.