The problem with GDC
The problem with Game Developers Conference (I've been told, btw* and quite rightly, that we use too many acronyms on this blog, so March-April will be WAFM: Wonderland's Acronym-Free Month. FTW!**) is that it operates on the basis that every attendee has at least three clones.
For instance, The Social Dimensions of Digital Gaming is up against the Game Design Workshop which is on at the same time as the Emotion Boot Camp.
I want need to go to ALL of them!
Do you think the organisers do it on purpose so that each business sends at least three people instead of just one?
It's going to be a long week. I have to buy a voice recorder at the airport if I'm going to get this podcast thing happening. Also, BBC News have asked me to cover the event with a daily wrap-up, which is nice/brave of them. Then there's the parties. Please, co-attendees reading this, don't let me misbehave too much.
....
* by the way
** for the win! A rallying cry often heard in MMOGs. ***
*** Massively Multiplayer Online Games. OK, stopping it now.
My impression of the GDC was that the struggle wasn't being in 4 places at once, but in working out which of those 4 sessions you want to attend would actually be informative (1 of them), and which would just be shameless marketing, devoid of any real learning (3 of them).
Posted by: SpiderMonkey | March 17, 2006 at 12:39
I'm going to try to attend the Social Dimensions of Digital Gaming. I hope my work schedule allows it. *crosses fingers*
Maybe I'll see you there somewhere?
Posted by: Brinstar | March 17, 2006 at 14:11
Unless there are slots where there is NOTHING you want to attend, then the problem is that there's just too much period. Plus you need to prioritize of course.
You may find teh guidelines I wrote up last year before GDC to be helpful:
http://kpallist.blogspot.com/2005/03/kims-cardinal-rules-of-conference.html
Posted by: Kim | March 17, 2006 at 16:04
I hear this one is going to be good:
http://www.cmpevents.com/GD06/a.asp?option=G&V=3&id=189282
Posted by: JLo | March 17, 2006 at 16:26
The worst thing about GDC is the fact that I won't be there. Always next year I guess...
Posted by: Seb Potter | March 17, 2006 at 17:05
I hope you choose Nicole and Katherine's session - I can't attend, and I'm dying to learn about it! :)
Posted by: Chris | March 17, 2006 at 18:14
The Game Design Workshop runs both tutorial days, fortunately. :) Makes it a bit easier!
Posted by: Raph | March 17, 2006 at 18:42
At least you can get the audio recordings of all the tracks after the show:
https://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/store.php?category=3
$349 isn't terribly expensive for someone who's already spent a few grand flying in from overseas.
Posted by: Joost Schuur | March 17, 2006 at 21:42
Heh, yes, the need to bi-,tri- or ominlocate definitely is an issue. On the upside, many of the sessions that sound good end up being tripe, so it is good to have a plethora of backups. Hmm, now I have to keep my eyes peeled for an Alice sighting.
Posted by: Cormac Russell | March 17, 2006 at 22:05
You need to have multiple instances of yourself attending your chosen sessions.
Posted by: Brinstar | March 21, 2006 at 04:07
I should have known this wouldn't last! From no acronyms to coining web-mog in just 10 days! For shame... :)
Posted by: ro | March 28, 2006 at 18:38