Game Developer's Conference 2009 Roll Call

[arn]

So who is going to the Game Developer's conference (http://www.gdconf.com/). It's in San Francisco March 23-27th and will also correspond to the Independent Games Festival (http://www.igfmobile.com/) where all those iPhone games were nominated.

Blake and I will be there. I was just curious to see which of the iPhone gaming developers here are going.

arn

[Zandog]

I wish. Budget, family and fear in loathing what Apple may be up to with it's mobile gaming plans keep me in Seattle with my wet, refreshing, cold air and drip coffee that would give most people the scoots.

[PoV]

I'll be there with Phil (Galcon). Looking forward to it. :)

[arn]

any updates on this? It's coming soon.

arn

[jshmrsn]

I wish I could go. There are a ton of speakers I'd love to listen to. Even though I'm a published developer, I'm only 17, so I'm not sure if it would be practical for me to go yet. And the money is also a killer. Maybe if SciFly II is successful I'll go when I am 18 with those funds.

I would have loved to have heard Wolfgang's talk on his pre-pass lighting model to name one of many...

[IUGOME]

We'll be there!

[IUGOME]

Hey! It's be great to have a night where us smaller devs and media buddies (that means you Arnold =) ) get together and ahve some drinks, shoot the shit, etc.

Anyone interested? I'm going to ping some devs and see what sort of response I can get...and see what night works for everyone. We'd love to meet y'all!

Oh! and let's call it the Apple Developer's Union! Hahaha!

[lazrhog]

Damn I would love to go and show off my new game in development :)

[CommanderData]

I'd love to be there, but the consulting business has me tied down this time. :D

Maybe next year... by then I should have the chance to release another game or two into the wild ;) Sitting down to talk about the market, tools, and techniques over beer would be a lot of fun!

[Midnight Status]

I went in 2007 to make a pitch but I'll have to skip again this year. I need to actually work on the games.

[firemint]

Myself, Rob (CEO) and Kynan (Development Director) are getting on a plane for a ridiculously long time and coming over from Australia, we'd love to meet up with you guys!

[gnizama_Mitch]

I'll be there, showing off Sliders and attending the 2 day Game Design Workshop. PM me if you want to meet up and discuss game design, development etc..

[gillygize]

Myself, Rob (CEO) and Kynan (Development Director) are getting on a plane for a ridiculously long time and coming over from Australia, we'd love to meet up with you guys!

Australia! I was about to say Japan was too far for me to make it over...well, there went that excuse.

[Frand]

We'll be there - in force ;)

[IUGOME]

Any suggestions on a night that would work best for everyone?

[arn]

Any suggestions on a night that would work best for everyone?

I've never been to GDC so don't know how it's structured. I'll be there from Sun - Sat, and Blake from Mon to Fri. So any nights in between work for us.

arn

[IUGOME]

As a starting point, how does Wednesday or Thursday eve sound, say around 8pm?

Pick a night. I'm thinking of locations...suggestions are quite welcome. :)

[dannys95]

Myself, Rob (CEO) and Kynan (Development Director) are getting on a plane for a ridiculously long time and coming over from Australia, we'd love to meet up with you guys!

lol!! too bad im not a dev (yet!). im dying to see you and all the other devs.

[gnizama_Mitch]

We dont want to pick a time that will clash with any events:

http://www.gdconf.com/events/descriptions.html

Given Wednesday is the Game Developers Choice Awards, and Independent Games Festival Awards, I'd say Thursday or Friday night are ideal.

[rcloudsoftware]

I really want to go, but those registration prices...are you kidding me?

Since I live in San Francisco, I would really love to have at least one off-site meeting, where those of us who live in SF (and I know there are many) can meet up with all of you who are flying in, and participate in some of the idea sharing, project showing, people meeting goodness.

I know these conferences typically produce lots of great info that will be posted all over the net afterward, but what I really want to be a part of is the socialization & networking.

111 Minna is a good spot, just half a block away from the center, though it will likely be crowded as all hell. Is there any guess of a count of how many people we might get? That would help make the venue choice easier...

Thanks
Ryan

[IUGOME]

We fly out Friday night...I'm sure a number of people will be leaving that day.

Ya, finding a night that doesn't clash with other events is tough. Thursday does seem better.

Location is tough too, anything right by Moscone will be packed, so perhaps something a little more obscure but still nearby would be good.

[gnizama_Mitch]

111 Minna is a good spot, just half a block away from the center, though it will likely be crowded as all hell.

I'd guess that Minna will be booked every night. I've been to several events there in the last couple months, and would expect it to be booked for different parties and events.

Maybe we could track down a decent bar that isn't super loud.

[99Games]

Hey 99Games will be attending the GDC. You can catch us here.

[IUGOME]

It sounds like Thursday eve is the better night for most. Now to secure a location...

[arn]

It sounds like Thursday eve is the better night for most. Now to secure a location...

Hi,

Not to throw any wrench into it. I'm really open for any night. But it seems meeting earlier might be nicer since then we would recognize people throughout the week.

arn

[martinpi]

fares and me will be there, too. will be great to meet you all! i've never been to sf and neither to gdc before so i'm open for suggestions.

[mek]

i'll be in brazil till april for business, so negative...but that does sound fun

[lemonkey]

I'll be there.

Looking forward to the latest update on final date/time/location...

[superbad]

are all developers staying for the whole week? until friday?

[IUGOME]

Hi,

Not to throw any wrench into it. I'm really open for any night. But it seems meeting earlier might be nicer since then we would recognize people throughout the week.

arn

It's tough to find a night that works for everyone...I just know that Tuesday night is the big night for most of the parties and such.

How about a vote for Monday eve or Thursday eve, take your pick.

[lemonkey]

I'll be there Sunday through Friday afternoon...

Thursday night maybe?

It's tough to find a night that works for everyone...I just know that Tuesday night is the big night for most of the parties and such.

How about a vote for Monday eve or Thursday eve, take your pick.

[HandheldGames]

Hey everyone,

Will also be at GDC. Fly in tues afternoon - Fly out Friday Afternoon. Has a time/Place for drinks been decided?

Thx!
Thomas Fessler, aka HHG

[case]

I'll be there wednes-thurs-friday with an Expo pass, primarily to interview for jobs in interaction design or production positions for both iphone and mmo projects.

[Hippieman]

For those wondering, GDC isn't really about the Expo. While I get an Expo pass every year, I hardly use it. The real GDC happens in hotel bars and at lunch.

[HandheldGames]

EXACTLY! It's the biggest networking fest that the development comminuty has. Is anyone taking the initiative to set a time / place?

Option 1:
The Marriott by the Moscone Center has a VERY cool bar at the top of the building. Overlooks the whole area. Met there for a social gathering last year. Great networking location

Option 2:
Julians right by the Moscone. Smaller. Not a lot of room. Just a small bar.

Anyone else have ideas?



For those wondering, GDC isn't really about the Expo. While I get an Expo pass every year, I hardly use it. The real GDC happens in hotel bars and at lunch.

[IUGOME]

EXACTLY! It's the biggest networking fest that the development comminuty has. Is anyone taking the initiative to set a time / place?

Option 1:
The Marriott by the Moscone Center has a VERY cool bar at the top of the building. Overlooks the whole area. Met there for a social gathering last year. Great networking location

Option 2:
Julians right by the Moscone. Smaller. Not a lot of room. Just a small bar.

Anyone else have ideas?


As I stated earlier in the thread, that's what I'm attempting to do here. The Marriott bar sounds like a cool idea, still deciding on Monday or Thursday, speak up those who wish to attend! 8pm is the time.

[HandheldGames]

I'm not in until Tuesday - so Monday is out here.

Thx!
HHG

[STP_Steve]

We'll be around.

[gnizama_Mitch]

SO lets plan for thursday night. Either of the 2 proposed locations sound good.

[Diablohead]

Have a good time guys and girls! I would love to check it out but live no where close to the conference :P

[dubane]

I'll be there with a couple of the other devs from our studio. We get in Sunday and leave Friday night so Monday or Thursday would be good. As of right now I don't have anything booked for Monday and only one party for Thursday :)

Jillian's is pretty likely to be booked up for private parties every night. I know for sure it is on Tuesday. The Marriott bar is pretty cool and has an amazing view. It'll be packed, but anywhere near the convention center will be so unless someone local knows of a dive bar nearby we'll just have to deal with the crowds.

Another option (if it's open this year after being shut down for renovations last year) is the lobby bar in the Marriott. This is down on the first/second floor and should be a much better place to get a drink while still being able to actually talk to each other :)

Looking forward to meeting up with all of you!

[IUGOME]

OK, so let's go with this everyone:

iPhone Developer's Union
Thursday, March 26, 2009
8pm
Marriott Lobby Bar on Main Floor

55 Fourth St
San Francisco, CA 94103

Indie iPhone Developers and Media Welcome!
A great chance to meet other devs in the iPhone community.
Announce news, share stories, give hugs, have fun!

Please invite fellow devs, media buddies, twitter about it, etc. The more the merrier!

Can't wait to meet y'all :)

[arn]

OK, so let's go with this everyone:

iPhone Developer's Union
Thursday, March 26, 2009
8pm
Marriott Lobby Bar on Main Floor

55 Fourth St
San Francisco, CA 94103

Indie iPhone Developers and Media Welcome!
A great chance to meet other devs in the iPhone community.
Announce news, share stories, give hugs, have fun!

Please invite fellow devs, media buddies, twitter about it, etc. The more the merrier!

Can't wait to meet y'all :)


Sounds perfect. Thanks for organizing. We'll post something about it.

arn

[dubane]

OK, so let's go with this everyone:

iPhone Developer's Union
Thursday, March 26, 2009
8pm
Marriott Lobby Bar on Main Floor

55 Fourth St
San Francisco, CA 94103

Indie iPhone Developers and Media Welcome!
A great chance to meet other devs in the iPhone community.
Announce news, share stories, give hugs, have fun!

Please invite fellow devs, media buddies, twitter about it, etc. The more the merrier!

Can't wait to meet y'all :)

Excellent, we'll be there too!

[Hippieman]

Just saw the article on the front page of TA.

Freeverse will be there (myself and two others).

[superbad]

I created a twitter account: http://twitter.com/iphonedevunion

Just add it. IUGO pm me if you want to manage the account. i dont know what help it'll be but it's there..

[IUGOME]

Thanks for that! And if anyone wants to make a announcement about GDC or something they're showing/talking about at the ADU (Apple Developer's Union) Party, just send me a msg and and I'll throw it up on the ol' Twitter for you.

[superbad]

IUGO now manages the twitter account. add it up! and make noise!

im excited

[VGViews]

Thanks for organizing,

The VGViews team will be there.

Looking forward to meet everyone!
Doron

[StephThirion]

Cool! Count me in.

Very looking forward to meet the iphone gaming nucleus.

Steph (Eliss)

[superbad]

flight booked!!!

leaving thursday afternoon. should arrive at moscone by 4PM! party time...

returning monday morning ;p

[personaestudio]

I will be there, in fact I will be there for the iGames Summit the week before. Considering that Personae Studios is exhibiting with the Singapore Infocomm Booth, count me in. (Just to let you guys know, we will be giving away free retractable iPhone USB "Charging" Cables at our booth and at the iGames Summit)

[ppeanuts]

I want to join the party... One problem is I'm not that good in English that much yet. I went to the party at Jillian's few months ago MacWorld, but I couldn't talk to people just a bit... haha.. anyway see ya people there...

[pmk]

With a few of us from Astraware going this year, im sure one of us will be there :)

[IUGOME]

I want to join the party... One problem is I'm not that good in English that much yet. I went to the party at Jillian's few months ago MacWorld, but I couldn't talk to people just a bit... haha.. anyway see ya people there...

What is your native language?

[IUGOME]

Freeverse has graciously offered to cover some drinks for all who attend this shindig. We (IUGO) will also be chipping in for some wobbly pops for y'all. If there are any other devs interested in sponsoring some drinks please let me know. I can give you more details via PM.

[HandheldGames]

Hey Guys,

the Bar on the main floor is rather plain - just an open area. The one at the top of the building - that I initially recommended is AWESOME - great view of the city - and has a multi-room layout. Definitely will make this an EVENT to REMEMBER!

thx!
HHG


OK, so let's go with this everyone:

iPhone Developer's Union
Thursday, March 26, 2009
8pm
Marriott Lobby Bar on Main Floor

55 Fourth St
San Francisco, CA 94103

Indie iPhone Developers and Media Welcome!
A great chance to meet other devs in the iPhone community.
Announce news, share stories, give hugs, have fun!

Please invite fellow devs, media buddies, twitter about it, etc. The more the merrier!

Can't wait to meet y'all :)

[superbad]

Freeverse has graciously offered to cover some drinks for all who attend this shindig. We (IUGO) will also be chipping in for some wobbly pops for y'all. If there are any other devs interested in sponsoring some drinks please let me know. I can give you more details via PM.

yay! free stuff. i'll have my luggage with me on thursday. im going straight from SFO airport

[IUGOME]

Hey Guys,

the Bar on the main floor is rather plain - just an open area. The one at the top of the building - that I initially recommended is AWESOME - great view of the city - and has a multi-room layout. Definitely will make this an EVENT to REMEMBER!

thx!
HHG

The concern with that location was how packed it most likely will be. We need to make sure we have room as the numbers are rising for this. I also want to be able to hear the conversation over the ambient noise, along with not losing my voice in an hour. :o

[HandheldGames]

The concern with that location was how packed it most likely will be. We need to make sure we have room as the numbers are rising for this. I also want to be able to hear the conversation over the ambient noise, along with not losing my voice in an hour. :o

We had about 30+ people in the back room. It was not reserved. Not buzy at all. Had lots of chairs and area to stand around. There are also several "side" rooms up there as well.

How big is the gathering at this point?

[arn]

We had about 30+ people in the back room. It was not reserved. Not buzy at all. Had lots of chairs and area to stand around. There are also several "side" rooms up there as well.

How big is the gathering at this point?

I think horse out of barn at this point. :) We can easily move it upstairs later on in evening as group gets smaller.

arn

[firemint]

I think horse out of barn at this point. :) We can easily move it upstairs later on in evening as group gets smaller.

It's not entirely impossible that some of us will have iPhones with us, so if we do relocate on the fly we could organise that via Twitter ;) I've started a #idu hashtag - not a drug reference (or is it... addictive games... hmmm...)

Is it worth doing semi-formal RSVPs to get an idea of numbers? As Sarah from IUGO has been kind enough to organise the particulars, perhaps we could impose on her further to start another thread exclusively for RSVPs (Arn - perhaps a sticky?) and update numbers as people post to that thread, maybe this format:


3 from Firemint - Alex (Community Cheerleader), Rob (CEO) and Kynan (Development Director).


That way it's easy to keep track of numbers by just scanning down the list.

We'd be delighted to provide some promo codes to give away at the event if that's of interest! Very much looking forward to meeting everyone :)

[gnizama_Mitch]

How about an evite? This should be the easiest way to manage who all is coming, and ensure a central destination for all information related to the meetup.

I'll be there, and probably with at least 1 other person.

Oh, and I'll save a few promo codes to pass out for anyone wanting a free copy of Sliders - Match 3 as well.

[rcloudsoftware]

How about an evite? This should be the easiest way to manage who all is coming, and ensure a central destination for all information related to the meetup.

I'll be there, and probably with at least 1 other person.

Oh, and I'll save a few promo codes to pass out for anyone wanting a free copy of Sliders - Match 3 as well.

Totally, lets do an evite.

Who wants to take responsibility and organize the evite?

Thanks
Ryan

[gnizama_Mitch]

*Points to IUGOME*

[IUGOME]

*Points to IUGOME*

LOL...ya, thanks.

Ok, I've sent one out...this is my first time using evite so bear with me. I obviously didn't have everyone's email address, so a few of you got it and a few of you didn't. Here's the invite:

Apple Developer's Union Party (http://www.evite.com/pages/invite/viewInvite.jsp?inviteId=GEAVTGIPHCTZZZUUIPJP)

So I'm hoping anyone can reply, even if they're not on the guestlist. Please go and reply! If I need to invite you please PM me your email addy.

Of course everyone please invite friends, buddies who are relevant to this gathering. And let me know if I'm missing something here.

[gnizama_Mitch]

I'm going to post the evite link on a couple LinkedIn iPhone dev groups that I belong to as well. I figure the more the merrier right?

Oh, and big props to whoever invited the Kotaku crew. I've been wanting to meet Brian Crecente for ages.

[case]

replied to the evite, bringing one friend whose in the area

[Paul@Tag]

Apologies - I'd LOVE to be there to meet you all but my wife is due to give birth to our second child this week and thus I don't think I'd get away with a trip to GDC this year.

I hope you all have a great time and I'll see you all next year!

Paul

[nattylux]

Turns out we're going too!!

Very excited to meet everyone.

Sarah, I tried to RSVP to the invite, and it may have RSVP'ed as you :confused: I'll pm you my email and would love an invite.

Thanks,

Natalia

[byteclub]

I'm going too, will be great to meet everyone.

[kshep]

Yes! Natalia and I are looking forward to meeting everyone at GDC! I just looked at the session list today, it's going to be an amazing show. We are Flying in on Monday and leaving on Saturday.

-Keith

[Chillingo]

Hi everyone -- Chillingo is looking forward to meeting everyone - let's talk about some cool new games! See you there!

ps. contact us to arrange any one-on-one meetings , Weds, Thurs or Friday - go to www.chillingo.com - email Chris.

[Flash]

Hi everyone,

I've been watching this forum for months and it's been great to see all the cool things people have been doing for the iPhone. Shameless plug: I'll be at GDC in my official capacity, wearing the fetching new POWERVR staff T-shirt and helping on/giving some sessions about our SDK and mobile development in general on Monday and Wednesday afternoon. Please feel free to say hello and have a chat.

Is it bad that I'm looking forward to the plane journey cos I might get some quiet time to get on with my own project at last?

Flash!

[biosopher]

I haven't been active on the forums yet, but I look forward to meeting some of you.

Kudos to Touch Arcade. They write some of the best iPhone app reviews. I rely on you guys for most of my purchase decisions. I've already spent at least $35 so far this year based on your reviews.

[IUGOME]

So far we've got over 30 ppl confirmed to attend...wow! That's awesome guys. This is going to be tons of fun.

[Mathis Couchaux]

Hi there,

The Bug-Tracker team will be there (4 guests in total).

Looking forward to meeting you at SF :)

[slipster216@gmail.com]

I'll be there again this year as well. I'll mostly be attending non-iPhone related things since my work is, after all, paying for the trip; but if anyone has any suggestions of a must-see event or just wants to talk apps/app store stratagy I'm up for it.

[PoV]

Will be exhibiting Wed-Fri at the IGF Mobile pavilion. I *might* be there. Not sure yet as I do have some conflicting plans, but I'll probably be playing Thursday by ear.

[TechPadProductions]

We will be there, we just released out iPhone game and will be out and about.

[superbad]

This is tomorrow guys!!!

See you all there!!!

[mondayma]

Hey guys,

My name is Matt Monday. I am currently involved in the App business and would love to get the chance to meet some of my favorite developers. Is there anyway you could send me an invite (since it looks like they are necessary for the [I]refreshments[I]) My email is Mondayma@gmail.com

Thanks, and see you there!
-Matt

[AgentSimon]

GDC 2010's thread here:
http://forums.toucharcade.com/showthread.php?t=44015