This was my fifth trip down to San Jose, California to the annual GDC. Every time I consider it an invaluable experience. Every year is plenty to do and see and this year was no exception.

Highlights of this year included:

• Game Developers Choice Awards - Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic takes top honors
• Independent Game Festival - Savage wins three out of the six awards
• Crowds spilling out into the halls trying to hear game gods Will Wright, Warren Spector, and Raph Koster at the Game Design Challenge
• Yet another game god - John Carmack talks about engine development
• The Expo Floor
• The Parties! - Can't show you those pictures :) Oh, ok. But just this once.
• The Volunteer Program, which holds a special place for me!
• Meeting William Hung during rehearsal for General Interest Keynote

I got to meet a few other Chicagoans, but most couldn't be pulled away from the activities. This was the last year the conference will be in San Jose. Next year the party moves to San Francisco! Until then . . .

BTW, the slides for many of the sessions are available here. Enjoy!