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March 30, 2004

GDC in Pictures

Just like 10,000 other industry folks, I am still in the process of recovering from the annual <a href="http://www.gdconf.com/">Game Developers Conference</a>. What an intense week! I need to start "training" for this conference more seriously... With all the sessions, meetings, events, socializing, etc, etc, etc, it's a wonder we all survive. The GDC is the the Boston Marathon of the game industry.

Unlike the somewhat reserved vibe of the past several years, this GDC seemed more upbeat. The hustle/bustle in the convention halls were one clear indication that this was indeed the largest GDC - ever.

Highlights for me were the <a href="http://www.igda.org/awards">Game Developers Choice Awards</a>, the <a href="http://archive.gamespy.com/gdc2004/challenge/">"love story" panel</a>, the <a href="http://www.indiegamejam.com/igj2/index.html">Indie Game Jam</a> demos during the <a href="http://www.experimental-gameplay.org/">Experimental Gameplay Workshop</a>, and the overall collegiate atmosphere of everyone at the show. Sadly, I just do not have the time or patience to describe everything, so I'll point you to several sites with extensive GDC coverage:

<ul><li><a href="http://www.gamasutra.com/gdc2004/">Gamasutra.com</a></li><li><a href="http://www.gamedev.net/columns/events/gdc2004/">GameDev.Net</a></li><li><a href="http://www.insertcredit.com/features/gdc2004/">Insert Credit</a></li><li><a href="http://archive.gamespy.com/gdc2004/">GameSpy</a></li><li><a href="http://www.gamespot.com/features/gdc2004/index.html">GameSpot</a></li><li><a href="http://games.ign.com/gdc2004.html?fromint=1">IGN</a></li><li><a href="http://www.1up.com/article2/0,2053,1554615,00.asp">1 Up</a></li></ul>

With that out of the way, here's my GDC "in pictures"...

<div align="center"><img src="http://www.igda.org/events/images/gdc04_01.jpg" width="400" height="300"><br>Eric Zimmerman (gameLab) lead the opening "hot seat" panel of the IGDA's <a href="http://www.gdconf.com/conference/thinktank.htm">Business Summit</a>.

<img src="http://www.igda.org/events/images/gdc04_02.jpg" width="400" height="300"><br>Table 11: During the Business Summit, groups tackled various business issues...

<img src="http://www.igda.org/events/images/gdc04_03.jpg" width="400" height="300"><br>The folks at the <a href="http://www.gdconf.com/conference/seriousgames.htm">Serious Games Summit</a> had similar discussion exercises. They were packed past capacity!

<img src="http://www.igda.org/events/images/gdc04_04.jpg" width="400" height="300"><br>Mathilde Remy, David Roberton (ex-Criterion), Jon Jordon (Develop mag), Owain Bennallack (Develop mag) and GDC director Alan Yu, loiter during the summit/tutorials coffee break.

<img src="http://www.igda.org/events/images/gdc04_05.jpg" width="300" height="400"><br>EA exec VP Bing Gordon gives the keynote during the Business Summit. Talks a lot about David Ogilvy and the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/039472903X/">power of smart marketing</a>. Also, tells audience that he hates people who whine (ie, "If your game was that good, it would sell")...

<img src="http://www.igda.org/events/images/gdc04_06.jpg" width="400" height="300"><br>Brian Sharp (Ion Storm) and Frank Lantz (gameLab) hang out in the Fairmont lobby bar after the first day of GDC.

<img src="http://www.igda.org/events/images/gdc04_07.jpg" width="400" height="300"><br>...and start debating with Marc LeBlanc (Mind Control) and Justin Hall (journo gadfly).

<img src="http://www.igda.org/events/images/gdc04_08.jpg" width="400" height="300"><br>Warren Currell (Sherpa Games) enjoys a beer with old NYC buddy Boo Wong (Curious Pictures).

<img src="http://www.igda.org/events/images/gdc04_09.jpg" width="400" height="300"><br>Dom Milano (CMP), Mark DeLoura (Sony), Chris Melissinos (Sun), John Byrd (CRI) and Susan Kirby (CMP) goofing off during the exhibitor's cocktail reception.

<img src="http://www.igda.org/events/images/gdc04_10.jpg" width="400" height="300"><br>Jay Allard unveils Microsoft's <a href="http://www.microsoft.com/xna/">XNA</a> roadmap to the game development community.

<img src="http://www.igda.org/events/images/gdc04_11.jpg" width="400" height="300"><br>Eric Zimmerman (gameLab), Robin Hunicke (Northwestern University) and Brian Sharp (Ion Storm) take "SuperCollider" (the new massively multiplayer social game developed by gameLab) for a test run.

<img src="http://www.igda.org/events/images/gdc04_12.jpg" width="300" height="400"><br>Chris Bateman (International Hobo) leads the Writers Group Gathering session at the IGDA's booth, pointing everyone to the <a href="http://www.igda.org/writing/#white_paper">Writing SIG's great guide</a>.

<img src="http://www.igda.org/events/images/gdc04_13.jpg" width="400" height="300"><br>At the IGDA's VIP Luncheon: Providing a nice meal and pleasant company is the least we can do to thank all the volunteers, Studio Affiliate heads and Partner reps who contribute to and support the IGDA. The luncheon was made possible by the gracious sponsorship of <a href="http://www.kaydara.com/">Kaydara</a>.

<img src="http://www.igda.org/events/images/gdc04_14.jpg" width="400" height="300"><br>Noah Falstein (The Inspiracy) and Hal Barwood enjoy the VIP meal...

<img src="http://www.igda.org/events/images/gdc04_15.jpg" width="400" height="300"><br>...as do Dave Perry (Shiny) and Louis Castle (EA).

<img src="http://www.igda.org/events/images/gdc04_17.jpg" width="400" height="300"><br>While the throngs of developers build up in the auditorium for the Game Developers Choice Awards ceremony...

<img src="http://www.igda.org/events/images/gdc04_16.jpg" width="400" height="300"><br>The presenters and various other guests huddle over the small TV in the lovely "green room": Louis Castle (EA), Jason Rubin (Naughty Dog), Jade (There Inc.), Phil Harrison (Sony Europe), Ed Fries, Chris Cross (EA).

<img src="http://www.igda.org/events/images/gdc04_18.jpg" width="400" height="300"><br>Ray Muzyka and Greg Zeschuk pick up the well deserved IGDA Award for Community Contribution.

<img src="http://www.igda.org/events/images/gdc04_19.jpg" width="400" height="300"><br>Will Wright presents the Lifetime Achievement Award to Mark Cerny.

(Sorry, I was kinda busy during the ceremony and didn't get a chance to snap many pics. Check out GameDev.Net's complete run down of the Choice Awards along with <a href="http://www.gamedev.net/columns/events/gdc2004/view.asp?SectionID=40">pictures of the presenters and recipients</a>.)

<img src="http://www.igda.org/events/images/gdc04_20.jpg" width="400" height="300"><br>Mind Control's Andrew Leker and Marc LeBlanc very proud of the IGF victory for Oasis.

<img src="http://www.igda.org/events/images/gdc04_21.jpg" width="400" height="300"><br>CliffyB (EpicGames) and Gavin (G4 TV) hang during the Choice Awards after-party.

<img src="http://www.igda.org/events/images/gdc04_22.jpg" width="400" height="300"><br>The Crystal Method perform during Sony's party. Damn, they were freaking loud :)

<img src="http://www.igda.org/events/images/gdc04_23.jpg" width="400" height="300"><br>People were pouring out in the hallway trying to hear of the love stories from Raph, Warren and Will.

<img src="http://www.igda.org/events/images/gdc04_24.jpg" width="300" height="400"><br>Will pitches his concept for "<a href="http://games.slashdot.org/games/04/03/28/207239.shtml?tid=127&tid=186&tid=204">Collateral Romance</a>". This "designer's challenge" panel, organized by Eric Zimmerman, was easily one of the best of the entire conference!

<img src="http://www.igda.org/events/images/gdc04_25.jpg" width="300" height="400"><br>Jason Weiner (Art Institute) leads an artists gathering at the IGDA booth. Looked like fun, too bad I can't draw.

<img src="http://www.igda.org/events/images/gdc04_26.jpg" width="300" height="400"><br>Chris Hecker demos the dozen-or-so games produced during the Indie Game Jam at the Experimental Gameplay Workshop session.

<img src="http://www.igda.org/events/images/gdc04_27.jpg" width="400" height="300"><br>Bruno hosts the <a href="http://www.gamehotel.net/">GAMEHOTEL</a>, the GDC's first cultural style event. It was an interesting talk-show style show, with such diverse guests as toy doll makers Furi Furi, music video producers H5 and Japanese game developer Masaya Matsuura.

<img src="http://www.igda.org/events/images/gdc04_28.jpg" width="400" height="300"><br>Brian Robbins (Fuel Industries), me, John Welch (ShockWave.com) and Jason Rubinstein (Ubisoft) in group hug mode during John's "online games" reception.

<img src="http://www.igda.org/events/images/gdc04_29.jpg" width="400" height="300"><br>Yannis Mallat (Ubisoft Montreal) enjoys discussion with Kiyoshi Shin (IGDA Tokyo chapter coordinator) during the "Level 99" speaker's party.

<img src="http://www.igda.org/events/images/gdc04_30.jpg" width="300" height="400"><br>When developers are invited to the party: Jon Blow gets his groove on. And, notice a blue Eric Zimmerman in the funky background.

<img src="http://www.igda.org/events/images/gdc04_31.jpg" width="300" height="400"><br>More groove action during Level 99.

<img src="http://www.igda.org/events/images/gdc04_32.jpg" width="400" height="300"><br>Midway's Lee Jacobson and John Romero unwind at the Fairmont.

<img src="http://www.igda.org/events/images/gdc04_33.jpg" width="400" height="300"><br>The boys from High Voltage Software - Ben Hoyt, Josh, and Jesse Helton - also at the Fairmont.

<img src="http://www.igda.org/events/images/gdc04_34.jpg" width="400" height="300"><br>The Canadians: me, Jodi Vetterl (Discreet), Nick Carota and Rob Cunningham from Relic, and Dan Irish - guess where, at the Fairmont.

<img src="http://www.igda.org/events/images/gdc04_35.jpg" width="300" height="400"><br>Academic/author James Paul Gee talks about games as learning machines (<a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1403961697/">read his awesome book to learn more</a>). Not pictured, Warren Spector giggling at the back of the room every time Gee used a Deus Ex example...

<img src="http://www.igda.org/events/images/gdc04_36.jpg" width="300" height="400"><br>John Gaeta, of Matrix fame, puts on a circus show of a visual arts keynote. I listened but I just couldn't get at the core of his speech, titled "From Visual Anti-Establishmentarianism To Ubiquity and Back".

<img src="http://www.igda.org/events/images/gdc04_37.jpg" width="400" height="300"><br>NVidia's "draw for cool prizes" booth is always popular with the artsy folk.

<img src="http://www.igda.org/events/images/gdc04_38.jpg" width="300" height="400"><br>Can any single game/device make us look goofier???

<img src="http://www.igda.org/events/images/gdc04_39.jpg" width="400" height="300"><br>The <a href="http://www.puzzlepirates.com/">Puzzle Pirates</a> pod at the IGF pavilion.</div>

Well, that's all the pics I managed to snap. Sorry for the rather uninsightful "report" - my brain is just too fried. I'll likely be making separate/smaller posts dealing with specific issues/themes from the conference in the near future. Until next year...

Posted by della at March 30, 2004 05:20 PM

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