Hi, I live in the San Francisco Bay Area (more specifically the East Bay) and was wondering if anyone was interested in meeting up? I have access to BART so anywhere in the area would work for me. I don't have a specific topic or project I'm trying to setup, just looking to meet people with similar interests.

If your interested post a reply and we can take it from there.

BTW I did check out GDNet Gathering and there is a small SF group but no activity since 2006 so I thought the best chance would be to post here.

Sounds legit. Meet me in my white panel van with the "free candy" graffiti writing.

ok, just so you know I carry a gun, so there better be candy this time.

If you can hold on for a couple of months, there's a small shindig that happens out that way on an annual basis.

"small shindig" is correct if you don't want to spend a small fortune. It's really expensive to see anything cool.

the student pass is a slap in the face, $75 for one day and you get to see a game career seminar. I try to keep a civil tongue but f*ck that.

every year I walk past the conference and see the awesome banners and wish I could go in. Then I look down at my Wondercon badge and realize I only paid $30 for a full weekend pass. I know I get the best value each year.

GDC seems to be for people who already work for a game company, the press, and college students lucky enough to go to a college that cares about video games. Oh and rich people. But yes, I do wish I could go.

Yeah, I know it's not the most accessible function in the world, but there's still a crap-ton of game developers in the area for that week, so chances are you could plan something to coincide with GDC with good success.

I know a few GDNet staffers and regulars meet up every year, so you could see about hooking up with that crew for a beer after the conference one day, or whatnot.

That would be cool, I'll definitely keep an eye out for that. Do you have any idea where I should be watching (this sub forum for example)?

BTW my frustration in my previous post is purely for GDC (not you). It just seems like many aspiring game developers and indie studios are being excluded.