GDC 08: Day One
by Dan Landis on February 19, 2008 at 6:32 am
If you had ever wondered what it would be like to meet up with a bunch of nerds and go to the Game Developer’s Conference, then wonder no more. We’re here to walk you through the ins, outs, and slightly-to-the-lefts of GDC day one.
The people at Ripten lucky enough to get out to the Game Developers Conference this year (Head Cheese Chad, Jon, Mike, Andrew, Emily, and myself) all met up at the San Francisco Airport on Sunday. Mike was kind enough to let a few of us crash at his place, even though he was supposed to spend time with Jessica Chobot. What a true friend…
We wake up late on Monday morning, obviously, and head into the city. Rays of light surround us and angels sing out in immaculate chorus as we stroll through the doors of the Moscone Center. We go to the Super Awesome V.I.P check-in area to get our badges, and we are instantly recognized.
Okay, so maybe I embellished a little. Nobody really paid any attention to us, and the closest we got to being recognized is when a guy asked which one of us was Chad.
There’s not a whole lot going on for press on Monday and Tuesday, as the main focus is on (surprise!) game development. It’s mainly just classes and lectures, so we spent a lot of the day going over schedules and talking about prenuptial agreements. We also get better acquainted with one another since this is the first time any of us had actually met in person. A lot of high fives and ass-grabbage ensues.
We eventually get around to checking out one of the tutorials and a completely non-mechanical flight simulator (more on that later) before heading over to the Zeemote party. We have our fill of rolled-up cheese and pot stickers (which I never heard of — basically, they’re like Chinese dumplings), and then play it casually cool as we skip out to the Microsoft Casual Games party next door.
Surprisingly, the Microsoft party was in the same size room as the Zeemote party, with the exception of being completely packed and lacking in the Lara Croft impersonator department. We stayed just long enough to say, ” Let’s get out of here.” and then did just that. Unfortunately, none of us got to try the “Casualtini” in the less than a minute we were in there.
To top off the night, our hotel room’s thermostat was broken, so we cracked a window. Unfortunately for Chad, we were on the seventh floor, so we dangled him out that window, Schwarzenegger-style, and demanded our monthly allowance of peanuts. Chad subsequently had us moved to the third floor and blamed it on the thermostat to save face, but really it was because three stories would hurt less.
Overall, it was a fairly mild day. Perhaps if I was a drunk or a budding game developer (or both!), I would have found the day much more entertaining. The event gets more interesting tomorrow but really ramps up when they open the expo floor on Wednesday. Look for our updates throughout the week on the exciting (or sometimes not so exciting) experience that is the Game Developers Conference 2008.
Also, let us know in the comments section how you feel about prenuptial agreements.
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2 Comments » |
on February 19, 2008 11:08 am
I don’t care if its boring or the thermostat is broken. I’m jealous of you guys. I expect to see some kick ass news coverage this week!
And tell Chad I want my peanuts as well, just have him ship them to Europe. I’ll pick em up there.
on February 19, 2008 11:23 am
As a UK gamer/editor I am so gutted not to go lol. Anyone want to interview the Ballerium folks for meh? :)