Austin Game Conference

#1 It was a great conference but is now owned by CMP (the people who run GDC) and it's gotten a LOT more commercialized which isn't good for Indies nor people trying to break into the industry. People call it the mini-GDC.

#2 "It was a great conference but is now owned by CMP (the people who run GDC) and it's gotten a LOT more commercialized which isn't good for Indies nor people trying to break into the industry. People call it the mini-GDC."

Would you suggest against going?

#3 I know we here at Max Gaming are already planning on attending AGDC. We were at last years event and found it highly valuable with regards to forwarding our business (much like GDC has been the past few years too).

#4 If you have one choice of conferences to go, I wouldn't pick AGDC. I would pick either IMGDC or Indie Games Con.

As far as networking, you will have many more opportunities to network at AGDC and even more so at GDC than pretty much anywhere else (unless E3 is on your list).

#5 I went last year and had a blast. The Game Writer's Conference is part of AGC and I have heard rumblings of AGC doing something with WIGI this year. If you are looking at working on an MMO I definately suggest going, since it is primarily focused on online gaming.

#6 I I've gone every year since its conception.
I live in austin so its pretty convenient for me.
Ill be going this year - got my super early registration price.

comments on the con:
It started off very small but comfortable.
It has systematically become more and more commercialized.
I notice recurring themes in their seminars, mobile gaming and MMO development.
Depending on the speakers, the seminars are
1) either great, and informative
2) fun and light hearted, but nothing more that post mortem joking
3) boring sleepfests (ie Game Debugging Processes)

Never the less, the inclusion of the the writers and women 'sections' a great.
the game writing seminars are always incredible.

I havent been to TXindie con yet but i plan to, so i have no point of reference,
but i think that this is a great time for indies to attend AGC if you want to expand
past independant development. Its commercialization allows for you to actually speak
with publishers and serious professionals on a level i dont think i could neccessarily get
elsewhere.

Even though they tend to focus on the two above mentioned themese, it still has a broad range of topics
that will help any developer - if they have the time and money to go.

Austin is a hot-bed for game dev now, and if nothing else its a great social networking tool.

Is it for pure indie devs?
not really anymore, but as i mentioned, its great for indies wanting to break into the 'real' industry,
which i think most of us are.

Plus, this year's keynote speaker is blizzard's overlord, so maybe if we get enough people to rally together,
we can talk him into getting his minions to Nerf Paladins.

#7 @Cody

Lol, I agree Nef the Pallys! Down with uber classes! Down with their uber equipment!

Great comments overall about AGDC btw.

#8 Just a heads up for everyone. The Georgia Game Developers Association will be hosting SIEGE (Southern Interactive Entertainment and Games Expo in Atlanta, October 5-7. It looks to be more like the AGC used to be. it will be most attractive to students, educators, indies, and investors. Keep an eye on SIEGEcon.net for more info. We'll be rolling out the full website soon.

#9 Thanks for the heads up ^.^