GDC Unplugged: Our First Trip to the Game Developer Conference
Mar 26, 2024
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Hosts Nate and Aaron share their first-time experience attending the GDC conference in San Francisco, discussing vibrant community, networking opportunities, niche interests, innovative game testing, highlights from show floor, and future plans for potential participation.
GDC offers valuable networking opportunities and a supportive community for game developers.
Poki's game testing approach provides creators with insightful feedback and exposure before full release.
Deep dives
Exploring the Experience at GDC
The hosts, Nate and Aaron, dive into their first-time experience at the Game Developers Conference (GDC) in San Francisco, highlighting the overwhelming magnitude of the event with over 30,000 attendees. Despite opting for expo passes instead of session passes, they found the conference productive, emphasizing the supportive community and the valuable networking opportunities.
Innovative Game Testing Approach by Poki
Nate and Aaron discuss Poki, a prominent online game platform, and its innovative game testing process. Poki's approach involves initial testing with a small group of users to gather feedback, followed by scaling up to 10,000 users to assess engagement metrics. This strategy offers game creators a unique opportunity to test new games and receive valuable insights before full release, highlighting the importance of exposure and distribution in the gaming industry.
Reflecting on Historical Gaming Artifacts at GDC
During their exploration of the expo floor, Nate and Aaron encounter notable gaming artifacts, including the first video game console, the Magnavox Odyssey from 1972. They are fascinated by the historical significance of this console and other classic gaming devices displayed at the event. Additionally, they appreciate the diverse representation of exhibitors from different regions, such as Belgium and New York State, showcasing the global presence at GDC and the continuity of the conference's growth over the years.
Hey, Good Game podcast hosts Nate Kadlac and Aaron Kardell attend the GDC conference in San Francisco for the first time. They share their experiences at the event, interactions with different booths, and their plans for potential future participation.