Name: Andy Schatz

Current Job Title: CEO

Current Employer: Pocketwatch Games

Credits: Venture Arctic, Wildlife Tycoon: Venture Africa, Goldeneye: Rogue Agent, Medal of Honor: Breakthrough, Whacked!, Star Trek: Hidden Evil

Current Project: An Unannounced Work of Staggering Genius
Favorite game of all time: Ultima IV

Why do you attend GDC: When I first started going to GDC I was an engineer. I went to be inspired by the brilliant work done by other engineers. When I started my business I went to make deals. Now I go to energize and revitalize friendships.

How many GDC's (& what years) have you attended: (6) 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2007

What are you most looking forward to at GDC 2008: Seeing the IGF nominees and the meeting motley crew that made them. Also the booze.

Top nugget of wisdom to share with other attendees of GDC: GDC is about bringing together competitors and creating community. Game development – as an art form and as a business – benefits from the sharing of knowledge. Be warm, open, and collaborative to every person you talk to, sit next to, and pass by on the street.

What's the most interesting thing that ever happened to you at GDC: Last year I MC’ed the IGF awards ceremony. After one of the winners (for the game Toblo) accepted his award, he proposed to his girlfriend in front of the thousands that were in the theater. I think it put a smile on everyone’s face at the show.

Favorite GDC Session, Topic or Speaker: Daniel James from Three Rings, makers of Puzzle Pirates, is always worth a chortle and more than a few enlightening moments. He’s also very generous with sharing customer and revenue data. Considering that Three Rings is really on the forefront of alternative business models implemented in the States, his talks are always worth listening to.