Event Descriptions
Networking and connecting with fellow game developers doesn't just end at the conference, we have many events that are happening throughout the week that you won't want to miss!
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Startup Launchpad - Presented by GDC & CRV
Learn how to get your own gaming startup off the ground at the inaugural Startup Launchpad! The Game Developers Conference and Charles River Ventures (CRV) team up for this special series taking place Friday, February 22, at GDC 2008. Areae, Cryptic Studios, Conduit Labs, Gaia Online, GoPets, Kongregate, Outspark,Tencent and more – successful game industry entrepreneurs and financiers will reveal the tips, tricks, and hacks to launching a profitable game business. Wonder what Dennis “Thresh” Fong has been up to since he sold his last company XFire to MTV in 2006 for $102 million? Dennis Fong and other serial entrepreneurs will unveil their newest startups at the Startup Showcase on Friday, 2/22 from 12-1pm in Room 132, North Hall.
Read more about Startup Launchpad here: www.gdconf.com/startuplaunchpad
Intel's Interactive Lounge
Monday-Thursday, February 18-21, 10am - 6pm
Friday, February 22, 10am - 3pm
Moscone West, 3rd Floor
Visit Studio 45! Intel invites you to relax, play, network, and discover a new mobile gaming usage model. The lounge will be comfortably surrounded by tables and couches making it the perfect spot to mix business and pleasure! Located on the 3rd floor of Moscone West.
www.intel.com
GDC Mobile Reception
Monday, February 18th, 6pm - 8pm
Thirsty Bear (661 Howard Street @ 3rd)
Join mobile game developers from around the globe for food, drinks, and business connections directly following day one of the GDC Mobile conference.
Sponsored by:
Microsoft Casual Games Reception
Monday, February 18, 6pm-8pm
W Hotel, Great Room 2
Join the movers and shakers driving the growth of the casual games industry at the GDC 2008 Casual Games Reception sponsored by Microsoft Casual Games. Network with attendees, speakers and sponsors immediately following the Casual Games Summit.
Game Connection
Tuesday - Thursday, February 19-21, 9am - 7pm
Moscone Convention Center, 3rd Floor, West Hall
Game Connection is the premier event for innovative game developers to meet with top publishers in the game industry. Inspired by the success of Game Connection at last year's conference, the event is designed to be a highly valuable tool for developers to show off their talents to publishers who are looking to find the right studio to develop games based on intellectual property rights or licenses they own. It also opens game companies to discover innovative original content from development studios they may not even be aware of. More info...
Destroy All Developers
The Gamelab 2008 GDC Game
A secret war rages beneath the surface of the game industry. The war between programmers and producers, between game designers and suits, between artists and sound designers. Only one discipline can survive.
At the 2008 Game Developers Conference, this war will reach its final conclusion. In DESTROY ALL DEVELOPERS, you will take on secret missions, infiltrating the GDC to gather information on your fellow developers. Collect business cards from unsuspecting conference attendees, work with your teammates, and watch your back.
What’s at stake? Cool t-shirts and other prizes. Bragging rights for you and your team. And the future destiny of the entire game industry as we know it.
HOW IT WORKS:
COLLECT BUSINESS CARDS to complete mission cards, which you can find at game HQ on the second floor of Moscone North or in your conference bag.
JOIN A TEAM - art, code, biz, production, audio, or game design. And settle your final scores with your fellow developers, once and for all.
PLAY ALL DAY. Game HQ is open Tues-Thurs, 9am-6pm. But you can collect business cards and scheme with your teammates anytime.
LEVEL UP by completing new missions. Earn GAMER and HARDCORE badge ribbons, Destroy All Developers t-shirts, and other game swag.
BECOME AN ASSASSIN when you reach HARDCORE level and collect the business cards of particular players for extra points.
WIN BIG when the game ends Thursday at 7:30. Stop by Game HQ on the 2nd Floor of Mascone West to claim your victory. Prizes will be given to top scoring players - plus a prize drawing from members of the winning teams. The more missions you complete, the better your chances.
IGF Mobile Awards
Tuesday, February 19th, 10:05am - 10:30am
Moscone Center, North Hall Room 134
In the same spirit, the IGF organizers have announced the first-ever IGF Mobile competition, a brand new contest set up to promote innovation in portable games, from cellphone games through other mobile devices to PSP and DS titles. There are plenty of unique mobile-specific possibilities for games, and we're excited to help honor them.
Founding/Platinum Sponsor:
Game Connection Reception
Tuesday, February 19, 5pm - 7pm
Moscone West, Level 3
Network with the most influential business development professionals and innovative game developers in the industry at the Game Connection Reception. Open to Game Connection attendees only.
Outsourcing Summit Reception
Tuesday, February 19, 6pm-8pm
Moscone Center, Lower Lobby, North Hall
Join the game outsourcing community for hors d' oeuvres, cocktails, and networking directly following the Outsourcing Summit. This reception is open to all Outsourcing Summit Attendees.
Press Conference
Tuesday, February 19th, 7pm-8pm
Moscone Center, Action Theater
Emotiv made waves at GDC last year when it showcased its Brain Control Interface (BCI) headset prototype for advanced, interactive gameplay. Connecting wirelessly with your game machine, the headset detects thoughts, emotions, and facial expressions, opening up a new era of truly immersive game interactivity.
Emotiv has made major strides with the technology since GDC ’07 and will be making its major, highly anticipated consumer product announcement this year.
The organizers of GDC ' 08 and Emotiv cordially invite you to witness the exclusive unveiling at the Moscone Center, Action Theater.
IGDA Members-Only Party
Tuesday, February 19th, 8pm-12am
Westin on Market (across from Moscone)
Come network and schmooze with fellow IGDA members and kick off GDC food, drinks and festivities. This social event is exclusively for IGDA members. Not a member? You can join at the IGDA booth, or right at the party.
East Meets West Reception
Tuesday, February 19th, 9pm-11pm
Jillian's
By Invitation Only
The 5th annual East Meets West Reception brings Japanese attendees together with GDC speakers, advisory board members, and industry VIPs to exchange ideas on the latest trends and innovations in the interactive entertainment industry.
ISM Charity Poker Tournament
Tuesday, February 19 - 9:00 PM
Marriott Hotel, 55 4th Street
INTERACTIVE STUDIO MANAGEMENT ANNOUNCES THE 2ND ANNUAL GAME DEVELOPERS CONFERENCE CHARITY POKER TOURNAMENT
The Game Developer’s Conference, ISM, and Starlight Starbright Children’s Foundation would like to invite you to play in the ISM Invitational Charity Poker Championship on Tuesday, February 19, 2008 at 9:00PM the Marriott Hotel 4th Street in San Francisco, CA.
The tournament is open to all Game Developer’s Conference attendees, and the first to register* will be allowed play Texas Hold’em for prizes (donated by video game publishers and industry partners), trophies (including a first-place perpetual trophy), and bragging rights. The tournament is all in fun and all to benefit our designated charity, Starlight Starbright Children’s Foundation. We’d love for you to consider playing. Here is all you need to do:
Email ISM at info@ism-agency.com.
Include the following information in your email:
Your first and last name
Your video game industry company
The money donation amount you are willing to make to Starlight Starbright Children’s Foundation, should you be selected to play
(The suggested donation is $100, but you are free to bid any amount)
That’s it. You may also email any questions you have to: info@ism-agency.com
Playstation Interactive Lounge 
Wednesday, Feb 20 - 9am-6pm
Thursday, Feb 21- 9am-6pm
Friday, Feb 22- 9am-3pm
Career Pavilion, West Hall
The Interactive Lounge will include PS3 demo stations and computers with internet access, surrounded by tables and couches making it the perfect spot to mix business with pleasure.
EA Networking Bar 
West Hall Expo Hours:
Wednesday, Feb 20 - 9am-6pm
Thursday, Feb 21- 9am-6pm
Friday, Feb 22- 9am-3pm
The Career Bar will provide a social networking area that includes couches and tables so developers can have drinks and relax while discussing career opportunities.
Career Pavilion Booth Crawl
Wednesday, February 20, 4:30-6pm
GDC Expo Floors, West & North Halls
Explore the floor with drink in hand, seeking out information on the latest innovations presented at the GDC Expo. Talk with company experts in a more relaxed atmosphere, and get your questions answered as you snack on happy hour goodies and enjoy catching up with technology — and friends. Stop by id Software's Career Pavilon booth #618 and enjoy food and drinks while networking and discussing career opportunities.
North Hall Booth Crawl
Wednesday, February 20, 4:30-6pm
GDC Expo Floors, West & North Halls
Explore the floor with drink in hand, seeking out information on the latest innovations presented at the GDC Expo. Talk with company experts in a more relaxed atmosphere, and get your questions answered as you snack on happy hour goodies and enjoy catching up with technology — and friends.
8th Annual Game Developers Choice Awards
Wednesday, February 20th, 6:30pm - 8:30pm
Moscone Convention Center, Esplanade Room
The Game Developers Choice Awards are the premier accolades for peer-recognition in the digital games industry, celebrating creativity, artistry and technological genius. Industry professionals from around the world nominate for the awards, free of charge, ensuring that the recipients reflect the community's opinions. More info...
10th Annual Independent Games Festival
Wednesday, February 20th, 6:30pm - 8:30pm
Moscone Convention Center, Esplanade Room
The IGF was established in 1998 to encourage innovation in game development and to recognize the best independent game developers. At the awards ceremony, the IGF gives out seven awards and $50,000 in total prize money to the most innovative independent games. The awards are held in conjunction with the Game Developers Choice Awards. More info...
G.A.N.G. Town Hall Meeting
Thursday, February 21st, 1pm - 2:30pm
Moscone Center, West Hall, Room 3006
2007 was an amazing year for the Game Audio Network Guild and the entire audio community. The officers and board of directors discuss the organization’s accomplishments as well as what is currently in the works. They also take a look ahead and have an open discussion with the audience on how to further improve for the future of the organization. This meeting is open to anyone interested in promoting excellence in interactive audio. Over 1,200 people representing over 25 countries around the world have joined G.A.N.G. since its inception in 2002.
IGDA Annual Meeting
Thursday, February 21st, 1:15pm-2:15pm
West Hall, Room 3020
Note: Boxed lunch will be provided in the meeting room.
The International Game Developers Association's board of directors and executive management give developers a rundown of the association's progress over the past year, as well as an indication of what's in store for 2008. There will also be an extensive Q&A period to get feedback and input from the community, and new board candidates are introduced. The IGDA is a non-profit professional society that is committed to advancing the careers of game developers.
13th Annual IA-SIG Town Hall Meeting
Thursday, February 21st, 1:15pm-2:15pm
Moscone Center, West Hall, Room 2005
Sound designers, composers, audio programmers and educators: Find out what the Interactive Audio Special Interest Group is doing for YOU at our 13th Annual Town Hall Meeting! We'll provide an update on the Interactive Audio Education Wiki, and new developments in Interactive XMF, the asset-exchange protocol. The IASIG exists to advance the state of the art in interactive audio for computers, online experiences, and mobile applications. This meeting is your way to improve the state of audio tools and resources in our industry. Come offer your ideas!
Experimental Gameplay Sessions
Thursday, February 21st, 2:30pm - 4:30pm
West Hall, Room 2018/2020
The Experimental Gameplay Workshop provides a platform for designers to showcase risky new work. In-depth presentations illustrate how each game design is different from what has come before, and explain what the designer hopes to achieve through this experimentation.
6th Annual G.A.N.G Awards
Thursday, February 21st, 8pm
Moscone Center, North Hall, Room 134
The GANG Awards honor the highest achievement in game audio, and celebrate the composers, sound developers, and audio professionals who contributed to the best games of the year. Voted and judged upon by the game audio industry and members of the Game Audio Network Guild (GANG), this year’s finalists represent the best audio in games from 2007. Over 1,500 people representing over 30 countries have signed up as members of G.A.N.G. since its inception in 2002.
Suite Night
Thursday, February 21st, 8pm - 10pm
W Hotel, Ballroom Level
Last year, Suite Night returned to the GDC in grand style with leading game industry companies sponsoring 6 networking parties on the Ballroom Level of the main GDC Hotel. In 2008, Suite Night will take over the W Hotel in San Francisco, two blocks from the convention center, providing a truly unique venue for developers to mingle and discuss the latest technologies, games and career opportunities.
Suite Night Sponsors:
Game Career Seminar
Friday, February 22, 10am - 4pm
Moscone Center, 2nd Floor, West Hall
Programmed by the Game Developers Conference (GDC), the Game Career Seminar, taking place Friday, February 22 from 10am-4pm at the Moscone Convention Center West, is a one-day program designed for students and individuals interested in learning how to build a career in the video game industry.
Attendees will network with industry professionals, meet with HR executives from leading game companies in the Career Pavilion, and most importantly, learn how to get their careers started in the videogame industry. Top game developers and industry experts will share their perspective and insights. Learn more...
Video Games Live
Friday, February 22nd, 8pm - 10pm
Nob Hill Masonic Center
(1111 California Street @ Pine)
Created and produced by video game composers Tommy Tallarico and Jack Wall, Video Games Live is an immersive concert event featuring music from the biggest video games of all time. Top orchestras and choirs around the world perform along with exclusive video footage and music arrangements, synchronized lighting, solo performers, electronic percussion, live action and unique interactive segments to create an explosive one-of-a-kind entertainment experience. Exclusive VGL discounts are provided for GDC members. Seats are limited, Click here to find out more.
Art War
Located at Career Pavilion #338
Love to draw? Then turn the world into your own personal refrigerator door by joining Worldwide Biggies for Art War at GDC 2008- a fun and friendly drawing competition for artists of all skill levels. Win prizes, including a VIP trip to the 2008 Video Game Awards.
See the results: http://www.wwbiggies.com/artwars/
Sponsored by:
Microsoft XNA Games Studio AI Challenge
Think you have what it takes to code winning AI algorithms in a timed competition against 7 other challengers? Let your AI programming skills and your bot do the talking and you could walk away with great prizes. Stop by Microsoft’s Programming Challenge Booth #738 in the Career Pavilion for all the details.
Sponsored by:
GDC T-Shirt
Moscone Center, North Hall Lobby
GDC 2008 T-Shirts will be distributed while supplies last after the Choice and IGF Awards Ceremony.
Business/Mgmt Track
