GDC2010: A Wonderful Blur, Part 2.

March 27, 2010 Game Development No Comments

Like I said, the next day was bad.

Waking up happens like a shot at 8:30am, because God forbid I miss the latest and greatest on the four most important emotions of social gaming at 9am. My hotel roomie is already gone because he’s an early bird and didn’t stay out drinking all night. In fact, he doesn’t drink at all. Ever so wise. I hop in the shower without remembering how I got in there in the first place when it hits me: I’m probably still drunk.

No worries, I planned well the day before, so my stuff is already in order. I get changed, get my phone, my laptop, wallet, badge, triple check that I have my room key and head directly to the talk from my hotel. Luckily the Marriott is a block and a half away so, it only takes five minutes to walk there.

The sun hits me like a ton of bricks. My entire body is barely functional from last nights intake of beer. I pass by an outdoor coffee and tea stand and I strongly consider getting some Earl Gray, as is the usual morning tradition for yours truly. However, the thought of eating or drinking anything makes me physically ill so I pass by begrudgingly. I know I need it but my body just won’t accept any new guests at the moment. No vacancy.

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GDC2010: A Wonderful Blur, Part 1.

March 20, 2010 Game Development No Comments

The Game Developer Conference is like college. If you’re not going to awesome parties or meeting great people, you’re learning something that should stay with you the rest of your life.

GDC is hard to hate. I make a point to go every year. I love catching up with my buddies, seeing how things are going in the rest of the industry and so on.

I get in early the day before so I can take in the day and not feel rushed. Any GDC veteran will tell you, there’s a lot that will be happening in your life in a short amount a time, so it’s best to take it easy while you can. People start rolling in3-5pm the day before GDC, after a trip on Virgin and a pleasant conversation with a cabbie who is having problems with the police. The best thing to do upon arrival is chill out for a sec, get your stuff in order at the hotel then go grab some cheap beers. My new favorite spot this year was The Chieftain, a little Irish pub with a surfboard shaped counter, perfect for a pitcher of some local San Fransisco beer and catching up on the good old days. Also, they put eggs on the burger so you know it’s good.

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