Dragon*Con 2008

Published on June 27, 2008 By CariElf In GalCiv Journals

Some of you may be aware that I've been a panelist at Dragon*Con the past two years. I usually forget to post about it until the last minute, but I'm trying to get my act together early this year. Dragon*Con happens in downtown Atlanta every year during Labor Day weekend. It's a great convention for geeks of all kinds, and seeing downtown Atlanta swarming with storm troopers, furries, elves, pirates, and anime characters is just awesome.

I've sent in my application to be a Guest this year, so I'm just waiting to see if I get accepted. My plan is to go even if I don't get accepted and crash the game developer panels. (It's a common occurance.)

So I have two purposes in posting today: first, to invite all of you to come to Dragon*Con, and second to bounce some ideas off of you for panels for if I do get accepted. I haven't had to submit my panel ideas yet, so if you guys come up with something better, I can still use your ideas.

Title: How to get a job in the game industry
Description: Helpful advice on getting a job in the game industry, from tips on writing your resume and suggestions on how to get your foot in the door.

Title: Turn your "Gamer's Widow" into a Gamer!
Description: While you might not be able to get your girlfriend or wife to play Grand Theft Auto with you, this panel will offer helpful advice on getting your sweetie interested in (or maybe at least more forgiving of) your favorite hobby. Gamer widows, we invite you to come and share tips and anecdotes about living with a gamer!

Title: Postmortem on Twilight of the Arnor
Description: Join the lead developer of the award winning Twilight of the Arnor as she discusses what went right and what went wrong during the production as well as a more general discussion about the highs and lows of working in the game industry.

Title: Modding--Get the most out of your game!
Description: Game mods are becoming increasingly more common and many are of professional level quality. Join Cari Begle for a discussion about modding as a means of sustaining a game community, getting into the game industry, or just getting the most of your game.

Comments

Macmatt

on Jun 27, 2008

The panel ideas seem good, especially the modding one (as a modder myself ). However, 4095 miles seems a long way to go on a whim .

GeneralEtrius

on Jun 27, 2008

Does Stardock go to Comic Con?

DivineWrath

on Jun 27, 2008

Title: How to get a job in the game industry

Title: Postmortem on Twilight of the Arnor

Title: Modding--Get the most out of your game!

These sound good. I wish I could show up so I could listen and watch. Will anyone going there be taking a camera?

If you don't get to be guest, why don't you talk to Brad about having another dev chat? It'll be fun, uncensored, and you don't have to worry about crowds!

Plus you can make those who didn't invite you jealous!

Azzizi

on Jun 27, 2008

Cari!

Maybe we'll find some way to get a day pass to come hang out again or something(The Girl and I were handing out with you and Paul during the 2006 panels). My vote, on a side note, is for the Modding panel, but that's probably none too surprising. I love modding.

DivineWrath

on Jun 28, 2008

Ok, here is an idea:

Title: Innovation in the game industry.
Description: In order for the gaming industry to survive and thrive, new ideas need to be made. If people don't make something different from time to time, the entire market will be filled with the same kind of games, but with different packaging, that few people will want to buy.

You may wish to edit it to sound something better. I was a bit tired at the time of writing.

CariElf

on Jun 29, 2008

Does Stardock go to Comic Con?

Not officially. Dragon*Con is the only convention that I've been to. It's convenient because my brother lives in Atlanta so while I'm down there I visit him.

GeneralEtrius

on Jun 29, 2008

Not officially.

Stardock should (officially) go to Comic Con. They talk about everything there, not just comics. It's a pretty interesting event. GalCiv2 and SOASE are fairly popular in California, so you guys would some attention at Comic Con.

CariElf

on Jun 29, 2008

If you don't get to be guest, why don't you talk to Brad about having another dev chat? It'll be fun, uncensored, and you don't have to worry about crowds!

I'd love to have another dev chat, either way. It was a lot of fun last time.

Maybe we'll find some way to get a day pass to come hang out again or something(The Girl and I were handing out with you and Paul during the 2006 panels).

That'd be great! Paul is going to Japan this year instead of Dragon*Con though. (

CariElf

on Jun 29, 2008

Title: Innovation in the game industry. Description: In order for the gaming industry to survive and thrive, new ideas need to be made. If people don't make something different from time to time, the entire market will be filled with the same kind of games, but with different packaging, that few people will want to buy.

Hmm, that's also interesting. Could talk about the Wii and the DS, which have some of the most fun games to play right now.

CariElf

on Jun 29, 2008

We'd actually have to talk Brad into sponsoring the trip, because i don't have any friends or relatives in San Diego that I could crash with.

DivineWrath

on Jul 01, 2008

Hmm, that's also interesting. Could talk about the Wii and the DS, which have some of the most fun games to play right now.

I'm glad you like my idea. Do you think you could get someone to record it since, as I mentioned before, I'm not going to be able to go to Dragon*Con.

Either way, I hope any speach you make about "Innovation in the game industry" will be good.

Loupdinour

on Jul 08, 2008

Title: Turn your "Gamer's Widow" into a Gamer!

I think is my fav from your list Cari...if not just because it would be an eye-catcher

I also like DivineWrath's idea. The PC game industry has largely been turned into a MMO frenzy just like TV has turned into 'reality tv'.

I don't want to get into a 'reality tv' war here, so I'll just say that I meant that in the form that tons of programming time is now devoted to this genre, just like the crime drama before it. Too many game houses are taking the MMO model and jumping on bored (meant that word, gotta love the English language) in an attempt to make money fast and easy.

/end MMO rant

I really wish I A) had some vaca time to spend and

had the extra cash to fly to Atlanta and go to Dragon*Con. Alas, I'll just be here, working like a dog (or at least faking it enough to get a paycheck).

SplitPeaSoup

on Jul 09, 2008

I went to Dragon*Con last year with a friend of mine. We saw Brent Spiner. It was cool. Then my buddy bought a samurai sword. That was not.

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