What you missed at IGC, from a developer's perspective
by Davis Ray Sickmon, Jr · in General Discussion · 11/06/2002 (6:57 am) · 14 replies
For those who didn't showing up at IGC '02 because they felt it was too much effort, too expensive, etc.: I'll explain what ya missed, from an Indie Developer perspective.
1) PR. Out the wazoo, if you wanted to spend a little effort to talk to the various web-press that was there. During the time I was there, I ended up doing two TV interviews. One with G4 and one with Tech TV. I also have an invitation to appear on The Screen Savers if I ever find myself in SanFran.
If you are tryin' to sell games for a living, you can't miss opportunities like that. I'm not saying if you show up you automatically get that treatment, but, you increase your chances of exposure to those opportunities.
2) Meeting people in the community (including the Garage Games crew). This might seem like a trivial thing, but, it's not really. Talkin' to alot of these people gave me a better idea of what people are planning on doing for marketing, development, etc. Every little edge helps.
And getting the chance to corner GG personell is great. For instance, I got to talk to Mark F. during one of the sessions on the GUI system - I discovered that one of the things I've been seeing is indeed a bug, and since it was in-session, I discovered I wasn't the only one that has experienced it.
3) Feedback. If you brought a game to IGC, it was great to get some face to face feedback. Never underestimate the role of feedback in successful game development.
That's just three reasons. I know some people didn't think it was worth showin' up for, too expensive, etc. However, #1 alone is enough reason for most people to show up - Jay Moore did an awsome job at getting Press in there.
If you spend $1500 in tickets, airline tickets, food and lodging, it was STILL a bargan.
Hope ta' see you all there next year!
(BTW: I recorded the presentation that David "RM" Michael and myself did, and am typing it up. I'll be posting it here in the next day or so - I'm only about half done with it.)
1) PR. Out the wazoo, if you wanted to spend a little effort to talk to the various web-press that was there. During the time I was there, I ended up doing two TV interviews. One with G4 and one with Tech TV. I also have an invitation to appear on The Screen Savers if I ever find myself in SanFran.
If you are tryin' to sell games for a living, you can't miss opportunities like that. I'm not saying if you show up you automatically get that treatment, but, you increase your chances of exposure to those opportunities.
2) Meeting people in the community (including the Garage Games crew). This might seem like a trivial thing, but, it's not really. Talkin' to alot of these people gave me a better idea of what people are planning on doing for marketing, development, etc. Every little edge helps.
And getting the chance to corner GG personell is great. For instance, I got to talk to Mark F. during one of the sessions on the GUI system - I discovered that one of the things I've been seeing is indeed a bug, and since it was in-session, I discovered I wasn't the only one that has experienced it.
3) Feedback. If you brought a game to IGC, it was great to get some face to face feedback. Never underestimate the role of feedback in successful game development.
That's just three reasons. I know some people didn't think it was worth showin' up for, too expensive, etc. However, #1 alone is enough reason for most people to show up - Jay Moore did an awsome job at getting Press in there.
If you spend $1500 in tickets, airline tickets, food and lodging, it was STILL a bargan.
Hope ta' see you all there next year!
(BTW: I recorded the presentation that David "RM" Michael and myself did, and am typing it up. I'll be posting it here in the next day or so - I'm only about half done with it.)
About the author
#2
For those who didn't showing up at IGC '02 because they felt it was too much effort, too expensive, etc.: I'll explain what ya missed, from an Indie Developer perspective.
I didn't say everyone didn't make it because of those reasons. I was pointing this directly at the people who could have attended, but, decided it wasn't worth it.
If you are unemployed, man I can TOTALLY understand why you didn't show up. It definitely wasn't meant as a slam against anyone. Instead, it's meant as a quick recap of why, as a developer, those who could afford it but didn't go missed out on some important stuff. Don't miss read it as an insult or a personal attack, cause it really wasn't meant that way :-)
11/06/2002 (7:09 am)
Whoa there Mike - I originally said:For those who didn't showing up at IGC '02 because they felt it was too much effort, too expensive, etc.: I'll explain what ya missed, from an Indie Developer perspective.
I didn't say everyone didn't make it because of those reasons. I was pointing this directly at the people who could have attended, but, decided it wasn't worth it.
If you are unemployed, man I can TOTALLY understand why you didn't show up. It definitely wasn't meant as a slam against anyone. Instead, it's meant as a quick recap of why, as a developer, those who could afford it but didn't go missed out on some important stuff. Don't miss read it as an insult or a personal attack, cause it really wasn't meant that way :-)
#3
I looked at the pictures that Justin took, and it looks like it was a great event.
11/06/2002 (7:52 am)
Ok, ok. I'm sorry! :P I just mis-read the sentence and assumed you were lumping the two situations under the same banner.I looked at the pictures that Justin took, and it looks like it was a great event.
#4
11/06/2002 (7:53 am)
haha, $1500? thats almost as much as I pay for college per semester... I would love to go to IGC and I spent many an hour trying to think up ways to make it more affordable to younger and less financialy advantaged developers... I was wondering if anyone found any inexpensive lodging, travel arrangements, food, whatever... it would be cool if someone made a guide on going to IGC for under $500... if thats even possible... hmmmm, maybe some of us just werent meant to go
#5
Doing it for under $500 is pretty doable. My wife and I both decided to go, so, we changed our plans for a 'cheap' option and rented a hotel, car, etc., so we didn't do it cheaply - we managed it for under $1000 still. Not too bad really. However, I didn't have to pay for the IGC ticket - I was a speaker, so, that saved $300 in IGC tickets ;-)
Mike: No problem. Just had ta' explain it a little further, 'specially so no one else made the same mistake, thinkin' I was a real B*stard about it ;-) The event really did rock - I'll be going again next year I'm sure!
11/06/2002 (8:02 am)
Eric - if I would have went by myself, I could have made it very easily under $500. The plane tickets (obtained through CheapTickets.Com were $250 each to Portland, Or. I had a friend in Eugene, Or that I could have stayed with for free (and there were some offers for crash-space, IIRC, and some people pooling resources for cheap hotel rooms.) Food was provided, as was beer, so that wasn't much of an issue. From Portland, there's a train that goes back and forth (not sure how much it costs.)Doing it for under $500 is pretty doable. My wife and I both decided to go, so, we changed our plans for a 'cheap' option and rented a hotel, car, etc., so we didn't do it cheaply - we managed it for under $1000 still. Not too bad really. However, I didn't have to pay for the IGC ticket - I was a speaker, so, that saved $300 in IGC tickets ;-)
Mike: No problem. Just had ta' explain it a little further, 'specially so no one else made the same mistake, thinkin' I was a real B*stard about it ;-) The event really did rock - I'll be going again next year I'm sure!
#6
11/06/2002 (9:29 am)
I'll start saving my pennies now... see ya there next year ;)
#7
It was especialy hard to make the leap with 2 birthdays coming up (Sona nd daughter) as well as 2 holidays. I am definatly starting a "IGC fund" (similar to our christmas fund) now in hopes that I can attend IGC next year, just hope they pick a better time frame ;)
end of year is realy rough with the holidays quickly approaching
-Ron
just did another search, the cheapest ticket found was
945.50 Adult x 1
$945.50 Total (USD)
11/06/2002 (10:19 am)
I wanted to go, and yes it would have costed me nearly 1.5k :( unfortunatly I do not have a wife that sees the benefit of IGC. Hell, she frowns upon the time I spend on the pc coding and or playing games.It was especialy hard to make the leap with 2 birthdays coming up (Sona nd daughter) as well as 2 holidays. I am definatly starting a "IGC fund" (similar to our christmas fund) now in hopes that I can attend IGC next year, just hope they pick a better time frame ;)
end of year is realy rough with the holidays quickly approaching
-Ron
just did another search, the cheapest ticket found was
945.50 Adult x 1
$945.50 Total (USD)
#9
11/06/2002 (11:35 am)
true, but not enough advance for any real deals flying from Rochester, NY
#10
11/06/2002 (12:13 pm)
I came from Boston.
#11
what about the home life? kids? wife? morgage? car payments? etc.. ;)
I have 3 rug rats and a wife to contend with, also had to consider Thanksgiving/Christmas and 2 birthdays in December (a first b-day on 12/19 and a 9th on 12/30).
11/06/2002 (12:16 pm)
kewlies!!, major airport possible better rates?what about the home life? kids? wife? morgage? car payments? etc.. ;)
I have 3 rug rats and a wife to contend with, also had to consider Thanksgiving/Christmas and 2 birthdays in December (a first b-day on 12/19 and a 9th on 12/30).
#12
Also - for me, I drove from Wichita to Kansas City, MO to fly out to Portland. The difference between flying Wichita to Eugene, Or and KC, MO to Portland, Or was about $250 a ticket - it was almost double. Just taking Eugene out reduced it by about $150 a ticket. Going from a major airport makes a HUGE difference in ticket price!
Unluckly, that doesn't change any potential home life / bills / etc. issues ;-) I'm "luckly" in the fact I ain't got kids to contend with yet ;-) But I've got all the rest of the bills to contend with, putting a med student through college (my wife), etc.
11/06/2002 (12:24 pm)
Ron: I gotta agree with you about the timing. I'd much rather it land in something like April, where there's no trips planned, no holidays to pay for, etc. ;-)Also - for me, I drove from Wichita to Kansas City, MO to fly out to Portland. The difference between flying Wichita to Eugene, Or and KC, MO to Portland, Or was about $250 a ticket - it was almost double. Just taking Eugene out reduced it by about $150 a ticket. Going from a major airport makes a HUGE difference in ticket price!
Unluckly, that doesn't change any potential home life / bills / etc. issues ;-) I'm "luckly" in the fact I ain't got kids to contend with yet ;-) But I've got all the rest of the bills to contend with, putting a med student through college (my wife), etc.
#13
11/06/2002 (12:34 pm)
correct, I could have drove 90 miles and saved nearly $500. I will definatly be prepared for next year!!!
#14
Got a wife, no kids, Boston area rent.
It was 500 bucks. It was an investment :)
After being there, I could say it was worth 3 times that ;)
11/06/2002 (12:35 pm)
It was a similar price out of Logan Intrnl as it was out of Manchester, NH.Got a wife, no kids, Boston area rent.
It was 500 bucks. It was an investment :)
After being there, I could say it was worth 3 times that ;)
Torque Owner Mike Stoddart
Due to a lack of employment and hence income, I can't even afford to buy a beer, never mind a plane ticket, hotel room and food for $1500.
Please don't generalize peoples' decisions not to turn up to the event in this manner. I'm sure many people wanted to go, but they probably couldn't justify the expense, or didn't have enough free time.