Game Developer Conference

[dwdonehoo]

Game Developer Conference

http://www.gdconf.com/

The Game Developers Conference 2006
March 20-24
San Jose, California
@ the San Jose Convention Center

[MDesigner]

Once again, I wouldn't miss it for the world. :) I had a blast at least year's, and wouldn't expect any less this time around!

[A_Sapp]

San Jose? :( Why not San Francisco? Isn't that where they had it last year?

[MDesigner]

San Fran was a one time deal. GDC's home is San Jose. I believe the temporary SF venue had to do with space issues.. they thought it would be too huge and needed the space so they moved to San Fran. (or I have it backwards.. they expected a smaller turn-out and needed smaller space)

[Cris]

Hey Sam,

I'll see you in San Jose! It'll be cool to hang with all my out of town composer buddies.

Cheers,

Cris Velasco
www.monarchaudio.com

[dwdonehoo]

San Fran was a one time deal. GDC's home is San Jose.

I wish that were true but this year may be the last at San Jose. I worked for the GDC for 3 years and last year I was talking to the GDC peeps and they said they would be back in SF in 2007, perhaps for good. The setup is much better in San Jose and much about things in SF was messed up, like IGDA and GANG members not being able to go to their own meetings without a GDC pass of some kind. Not a problem in SJ. Aaron thought San Jose was boring :D but a short walk does take you to the clubs district should you find the GDC parties not to your liking. Heh heh...

[MDesigner]

Doyle, that's a bummer.. I suppose. I've never experienced GDC in SJ yet.. this March will be my first time. GDC in SF was pretty cool, I really enjoyed my time there. We'll see what SJ is like!

[KingIdiot]

parties...did someone say parties...?


GDC

going drinking collectivly....

gone down clubbing

girls deemed cool...wish they were here... oh wat..no thats E3

Everything Except Estrogen :) unless you have a gold suit, then they're on your Arm...boy I'm never going to let him live that down am I?...

(yes I know, there are many talented women in the industry, there are jsut more smelly boys, so I can make fun of the boys :) )

man I dont party anymore....well when I win the lotto, I'll throw a huge party, and you're all invited WOOHOO....KI random uninformative NS post number 1544.86 now ends...

(also yes, I know that gold suits dont get women to flock to you...dont ask how...) ;)

[Scott Cairns]

Im still deciding whether to go, i have to come to L.A. sometime before August anyway, hoping its the same time as GDC.

[A_Sapp]

Yea, San Jose isn't much fun for the 21 and under crowd. I went when I was nineteen... watching all that free beer being passed out (they must be making some real money to be doing that). Ended up just meandering around town after the show was over waiting for my flight...

I plan to be there this year though - this time with an audio pass. I didn't get to attend any of the music/audio-related seminars last time. The audio pass ain't cheap, and those Giga passes. :eek:

[MDesigner]

Yea, San Jose isn't much fun for the 21 and under crowd. I went when I was nineteen... watching all that free beer being passed out (they must be making some real money to be doing that). Ended up just meandering around town after the show was over waiting for my flight...

I plan to be there this year though - this time with an audio pass. I didn't get to attend any of the music/audio-related seminars last time. The audio pass ain't cheap, and those Giga passes. :eek:

Man, I don't know what convention YOU went to.. :) but there wasn't any free alcohol being passed out when I was there. GDC is fine for the under-21 crowd. The only thing you're missing out on is after hours, when the audio folks go to a bar to throw back a couple and socialize.

[Will Roget]

About how many audio guys end up going to the GDC? Somewhere in the back of my mind, I have this haunting suspicion that the GDC will be overcrowded with dozens (had to stop myself from saying "scores") of desperate audio folks, viciously begging for work of any kind. :p

(maybe it's time for me to stop trolling the GANG forum)

[Cobalt Katze]

About how many audio guys end up going to the GDC? Somewhere in the back of my mind, I have this haunting suspicion that the GDC will be overcrowded with dozens (had to stop myself from saying "scores") of desperate audio folks, viciously begging for work of any kind. :p

(maybe it's time for me to stop trolling the GANG forum)
Haha, I get the same picture ;) When a panel of game composers came to speak at my college, I was the only person actually from my college in the audience. Afterwards, it was a rabid rush of people with resumes and demo CDs in hand... The only information I gleaned from the aftermath was one person from Microsoft repeatedly referring people to GANG.

Personally, I can't afford to go this year.. Financially and time-wise. While I'm graduating in May and will be beginning to look for work, GDC falls in the most crucial portion of my semester especially with the senior recital and all that jazz I've got to finish up. It's a pity too, since people have mentioned all the great benefits of networking at such a large convention.

[MDesigner]

About how many audio guys end up going to the GDC? Somewhere in the back of my mind, I have this haunting suspicion that the GDC will be overcrowded with dozens (had to stop myself from saying "scores") of desperate audio folks, viciously begging for work of any kind. :p

(maybe it's time for me to stop trolling the GANG forum)

Nah, it's not like that. It's a bunch of audio guys, hanging out, having a good time.. the energy is pretty amazing. As far as jobs.. a lot of people bring demos, and everyone brings business cards. If a developer or audio director gets a hold of your stuff and likes it, then maybe you'll have some work to look forward to. Or maybe not, you never know.

[Ed Lima]

Man, I don't know what convention YOU went to.. :) but there wasn't any free alcohol being passed out when I was there. GDC is fine for the under-21 crowd. The only thing you're missing out on is after hours, when the audio folks go to a bar to throw back a couple and socialize.

They do a "booth crawl" on the expo floor every year, where booth sponsors set up some taps, some hotplates, and folks eat, drink, and be merry. You might've missed it in San Fran, Sam, but you gotta be sure to "maiko" it there this year.

[dwdonehoo]

I talked to CMP/GDC people today and they said officially it is up in the air where the GDC is next year (they know but are not telling). My money is on San Francisco. They will announce soon so you can make plans.

Side note: for the GDC I have been attendee, volunteer, lecturer and now perhaps as an exhibitor (so you will know where to find me). As GDC draws near, perhaps we can plan a knock-back-a-beer get-together. I would like to meet every one of you, no exceptions. ;) GANG has meetings and there is an audio track, so there are plenty of your bother and sister game audio people to hang with. For example, DMG has a booth, so if Bill Brown can take time from CSI:NY, he will be there and hanging out. For sure Tommy T., Jack Wall, Clint B. (perhaps Chance T.) and many others will be there so for sure the halls of the GDC and the surrounding bars will be busy. Stay tuned.

[groovyone]

Man, I don't know what convention YOU went to.. :) but there wasn't any free alcohol being passed out when I was there. GDC is fine for the under-21 crowd. The only thing you're missing out on is after hours, when the audio folks go to a bar to throw back a couple and socialize.

The parties are sponsored boozeups. Made some good contacts got some work and got nicely "happy" in the process. You need to know people tho to get invites.

I didnt' plan to go last year but was given a free giga pass and so used my frequent flier points for the flight and stayed with friends in SanFran :) Dont' think I'll be that lucky this year. Tho I am being flown to the USA next week for a job interview so if I can loitre for a month I may attend again un-planned.

[MDesigner]

The parties are sponsored boozeups. Made some good contacts got some work and got nicely "happy" in the process. You need to know people tho to get invites.

I didnt' plan to go last year but was given a free giga pass and so used my frequent flier points for the flight and stayed with friends in SanFran :) Dont' think I'll be that lucky this year. Tho I am being flown to the USA next week for a job interview so if I can loitre for a month I may attend again un-planned.

Oh yeah.. booze at the parties outside the convention center.. yeah I knew about that. I went to a couple. I remember seeing you at one of those parties..remember? :) Met the Fat Man there too.

[Sean Beeson]

I personally am not even looking for a paying job. At only 20 years old, and living in Ohio currently, I am looking to work with someone during the summer as a non paying internship. You think it wouldn't be that hard to find a composer that would like an apprentice (Especially since I have done demo writing for some larger companies, and have been a programmer for East West), but it really is difficult! This is going to be my first year at the GDC and I am very nervous. I am very close friends with Micheal Schiciano (AKA Sktich), so hopefully it won't be as intimidating.

Sean Beeson