GDC 2015 + PAX East 2015
This year for whatever reason both GDC and PAX East were at opposite ends of the same week. This was particularly problematic for publishers, devs, and (I guess) researchers like myself for whom it is important to attend both. Perhaps because of that, I didn't go at GDC or PAX East with my usual vigor, but despite that, there were still a great deal of memorable occurences at both events.
I was able to meet up with some of my State-side family while I was in San Francisco.
And I was able to once again enjoy the sad, fattening diner that is Denny's. That was perhaps too harsh. Well, what I mean to say is that, Denny's will always have a place in my heart for being the place where my friends and I would often go to at the twilight hours in order to trade conversation and insights over good ole American breakfast. Nothing like that exists in Japan, and I have grown to miss this.
As usual, I am always stoked to see what the students have produced for the annual Student Game Narrative Analysis Poster sessions.
Zoe Quinn gave a very interesting talk at the Narrative Summit about Comedy in Games. Right after that had finished, I had wanted to talk with her some more, but then one of her friends quickly ran over to her to congratulate her on her talk--it was Anita Sarkeesian. I had to make a quick decision: talk to Zoe Quinn or talk to Anita Sarkeesian, both of whom I respect greatly. I thought I might have time to run to the wrap-up room afterwards to speak with Quinn, so I opted to speak with Anita Sarkeesian. Sadly, I probably came off as a fanboy, but I am glad for the chance to tell her that I respect her efforts and want her to continue in her quest.
Christy Marx gave a talk on Mobile Games, and I was very honored to get a photo with her. She is the creator of Jem, after all.
So far, I've had the good fortune to be able to attend GDC three years in a row, and every time I come back to San Francisco for GDC, I make it a point to visit with my best friends from Saint Mary's College of California days. Sadly, I was only at that college for my Freshman year of undergrad, but that was enough time to have forged strong bonds with my friends there. Reconnecting with these friends is a priority for me, most definitely.
Since I had to grab the red-eye into Boston for PAX East, I can't remember being very coherent for the majority of it, but I am honored to have been able to meet and speak with James Portnow of Extra Creditz after his panel. I hope that I will have the opportunity to speak at length with him more on other matters of research and advocacy.
