Hello

So, I'm wondering if anyone here has ever been to any game conferences. The tickets are expensive, and I wonder if I paid to go will I leave with useful information? I'm very interested in the dynamic and ever changing market, the business, and content aspects of video games.

I guess for te first time I go, I'm seeing the investment as being exposed to the environment and culture of it.

If anyone has been can you point out to me things I should look for in the event listing? Things to consider in whether a game conference is word attending gand investing.

I've never been to one but i would love to go.

You mean like a developers conference? I went to one once. Now I've been to a lot of speaking events, but that one was by far the best. Speakers for the day included Chris Avellone, Darren MacBeth and David Gaider, speaking (obviously) about writing, narrative, themes and all that stuff that is especially awesome.

Also in attendence was a large number of local developers, and other noted personages of the local gaming scene. I made the rounds of the room, met most of them, made a few contacts, talked about stuff they were working on, stuff I was working on, got into an argument about the practicality of gunblades and run up the tab of the event organisers.

While everything that Avellone and Gaider said struck a chord with my thoughts on what game development should be, the real advantage of such events are who you'll meet and the contacts you make. If you have any interest in entering the industry (in any way shape or form) knowing the right people can help immensely. Monetarily the price can be pretty high (I only got mine through a friend of a friend, it would've cost hundred otherwise), but everybody goes to free events and you'll never get a chance to have a proper in depth discussion with developers.

And no, I never spoke to Avellone or Gaider that night. I had a chance, but they're living legends to me; like [censored] rock stars. My knees went all weak and my tongue got tied up before I even got close. Don't ever make that mistake!

Yeah I was looking at one I can go to this year. Its more focused networking and changing the industry and the changing industry of it in the city. There is a networking event after for attendees. I think the conference organizers rented out a club or pub for it. Gotta find someone to go with, ideally.

I think I will have to go to one this year. For sure. Thanks for that post

I'm open to hearing more, if there are