It looks like Michael Dell and Rob Pardo (Blizzard) are headlining this year: http://www.gameinformer.com/News/Sto...1110.02101.htm Did anyone go last year? Is it worth the money? How about the small conferences (Game Writers, etc.)?

Quote: Original post by pinkbeta
Is it worth the money? How about the small conferences (Game Writers, etc.)?

The value of money is relative. The benefit you get from a conference is person-dependent.

Conferences announce what will be covered long before the conference. Deciding if the topics and events are worth the money is up to you.

This applies to all conferences generally.

If you just want the proceedings and don't care about all the other aspects of a conference, then just pay for the proceedings and discs. If you are only interested in one paper, see if the author has released it online, or is working on a thesis that will be published online, etc. While it is nice to network, see people, ask questions, play with demos, and otherwise have a great time at the conference, sometimes that isn't the best way to spend the time and money.

It's that way with a lot of conferences. Infovis and similar conferences are my niche, and they have been fun for me and worth the money. Siggraph has a few fun papers, but I can get those through an ACM membership and/or CiteSeer and don't see benefit for me of actually attending it.

Only you can decide if it is worth it for you.

If any of you are planning to go to this, it would behoove you to register by Friday. Also, check out the message posted above the board. Use that discount and save 20% off the early bird price. So it's $236, instead of $295.

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REGISTER NOW AND SAVE $200

The 4th Annual Austin Game Conference is fast approaching (September 6-8, 2006) and so is the Early Registration deadline! Early reg. price is only $295. If you haven't already registered, register online by July 21st to get a 40% discount off the onsite price of $495. Go to http://www.GameConference.com for details or http://www.GameConference.com/register/ to register and save.

The three-day conference brings together 2,500 attendees from more than 20 countries to participate in concentrated discourse with their peers, network with colleagues, learn from industry leaders, conduct business, and see the latest tools, technologies and techniques - all in a fun and relaxed atmosphere.

Keynotes Include:

* Rob Pardo - Blizzard's VP of Game Design and lead designer for World of Warcraft
* Michael Dell - Chairman of Dell, Inc. (who will participate in a special Q&A session)
* Vernor Vinge - Hugo Award Winning Science-Fiction Author
* Surprise Guest keynote - to be announced on www.GameConference.com shortly

The full roster includes 120 speakers participating in five detailed conference tracks: Games in Asia; Multiplayer Business/Production; Multiplayer Design; Multiplayer Tech/Art; Multiplayer Service and Support; Future of the Development Pipeline and Next Generation Game Development.

Registration to the AGC grants full access to the following:

• Technology Pavilion - See the latest tools, technologies, products and services. Free beer from 2pm to 5:30 on Thursday in the Attendee Lounge in the Tech Pav.
• Recruiting Pavilion – Converse with companies including Activision, BioWare, Midway, THQ, Microsoft/Xbox, Vivendi, and more.
• Casual Games Conference – Learn more about the design considerations and business principles required for developers to succeed in this rapidly-expanding game industry segment. Sponsored by Microsoft Casual Games.
• Game Audio Conference (new this year) – Gain insight from advanced game audio sessions designed to educate industry professionals, spark discussion, and propose solutions to some of game audio's most daunting challenges.
• Game Writers Conference – Delve into the art and craft of game writing with fellow writers, developers and publishers.
• Game Developer LivePitch 1-on-1 – Watch as LivePitch puts indie game developers and their unsigned projects in front of the world's leading game publishers. The application process is now open. Go to http://www.LivePitch.com for details.
• Machinima Theater - Explore the convergence of filmmaking, animation and game development. In partnership with the Academy of Machinima Arts & Sciences and sponsored by BioWare.

I just got an email about the LivePitch thing and it sounds like a pretty cool deal.

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As a previous attendee to the Austin Game Conference I invite you to submit to participate in LivePitch 1-on-1, the respected industry matchmaking initiative that puts unsigned game development projects in front of the world's leading game publishers. LivePitch is a highly valuable tool for developers to present their original content to publishers looking for casual, MMOG, Internet, PC or console games to bring to market.

The process is simple: You submit an online application. The applications are reviewed by LivePitch publishers. If a publisher likes what they see on your application they will request a private 1-on-1 meeting with you scheduled for September 7th or 8th, 2006 at the Austin Game Conference & Casual Games Conference. We will schedule the appointments. The developer shows up for their assigned appointment(s). Developers receive 30 minutes to demo their game 1-on-1 with each interested publisher. All meeting are conveniently scheduled by The Game Initiative and take place in private meeting rooms at the Conference. It's that simple.

Developer applications are accepted between now and August 15, 2006. And best of all LivePitch 1-on-1 free for both parties. All you need do is register to attend the Austin Game Conference which takes place Sept. 6-7-8, 2006. Past participating publishers have included: Acclaim, Eidos, Konami, Microsoft, Namco, NEC, Sammy Studios, Strategy First, THQ, UbiSoft, ValuSoft, and Wanadoo

- Review the LivePitch FAQ
- Developers apply here
- Publishers apply here

http://www.LivePitch.com