Sep
19
AGC 2008 – Some Thoughts
Like most of you out there, the job that I have right now…my real job…pays the bills. That is a good thing because everybody needs to do that. Given the high-tech climate in my area, I’m glad to have that job but ultimately, ummmm…how do I put this….it’s just a job. It’s not a passion. In the grand scheme of things, it’s an important job in terms of its function, but factors being what they are it’s not something that would make anyone go “yayyyy….look what I get to do every day”. This whole concept of a job that would make me go “yayyy” may be a pipe dream. I am totally prepared to accept that as a pipe dream, however; after AGC I end up convincing myself that maybe it’s not. I know…I’m not making sense, but hang in there 
At GDC this year, I did not get a good overall feeling about the game industry as a whole….and I think I can blame it on two things:
1) the career fair of that conference. (…ahem..WEAR BETTER CLOTHES FOR INTERVIEWS PEOPLE!!!…)
2) the flashiness of the whole thing.
Lot’s of great information? Sure. Lot’s of learning? Sure. Content for podcasts and blog? Sure. But a lot of it was lost in the noise of those two things for me. Mileage may vary for others…and hey, it was my first game conference.
AGC was a different experience for me. It was more personal. I came away with some great knowledge…but more importantly, every single person I met and talked to who works in this industry was just super. I mean, really, really down to earth people who “get it” and who are extremely creative and passionate about the games they are making for us. I really, really can’t thank the dozen or so people enough for giving me that experience and that impression coming away from this years AGC.
There is quite a bit to be said for these types of conferences and they are starting to grow on me for this one simple reason…and you’ve heard this before I’m sure: I get to hang out with “my people”. Sounds a bit weird saying that, but it is very true…and those who’ve experience this type of thing probably know what I’m talking about. Also, hanging out with Brent, Michael and Craig was just, well…buckets of awesome. I want to thank those guys for their company and for making AGC 2008 a very memorable experience for me. They’re all good friends.
…annnnnyway.
I have more thoughts on actual content of the conference and I’ll get those up once I form coherent ideas from them. If you haven’t seen the videos over at Brent’s site please do so…and please comment on whether you like that format or not.
D out.
