#NerdsUnite: Confessions of a Videogame Journalist (GDC!)

<editorsnote> Nerds, meet my buddy John. We started talking on the twitter not too long ago, and then he reached out and asked if he could write for us regarding his journey through the nerdy realm. I was all DUDDEEE!! That's so raaaddd!! And now, here we are. Like right now, in real time, this is happening. Pretty cool huh? HIT IT JOHN!!! </editorsnote> 

#TalkNerdyToMeLover's @JohnSollitto

Well I’m back!

GDC was extremely fun and beneficial to me in a personal and professional capacity, but I wanted to talk about the entire idea of GDC and how much I love it.

So, for those who don’t know what it is, GDC is the Game Developers Conference that is held each year. During that time, there are several panels and talks that are beneficial to those in the industry and those trying to get in the industry.

The talks range from high-profile game developers and companies, to small-time indie studios talking about their latest projects or their newest releases.

I think what I love about this is that it is a large-scale version of what I want my site to be. The Game Creators Vault is a place for learning and sharing. In our reviews we try to be academic and smart rather than commenting on how fun a game is and how much our personal preference matters. We try to dissect a game down to its core mechanics and really show whether or not this was a good move or not.

We want to reach out to gamers and those interested in getting into the industry as a creative or any other type.

GDC seems to be the best and most international and professional way of doing what we want to achieve. Not only that, but it is an irreplaceable way of having those in the industry meet up with each other and form solidarity in the fact that we are all in this together and that we are all in love with what we do.

My most favorite thing to hear during the convention was, “Hey, what’s your story?”

People were just happy to meet each other and learn about each other and share in the experience. Men and women. Don’t let anyone tell you the gaming industry is a boys club anymore. I saw just as many women looking for jobs, showing portfolios and shaking hands with hiring managers as there were men.

Now, I have said on Twitter that I am working on my own game project, but as a press man, the most interesting thing to me was seeing how a convention could really just be one giant job fair and exposition.

For press, this is just a way to gauge how the industry is going. Which companies are hiring, which aren’t. What projects they may or may not be working on. If you’re careful, you can gauge if a company is doing well or not simply by how many positions they’re willing to fill. This could mean expansion or rounds of lay-offs. You just have to ask the right questions.

My favorite thing to hear was “Hey, what’s your story?” but my favorite thing to see was the IGF. The Independent Game Festival was soooooo cool to browse through. Games I’ve never heard of, games I have heard of. All sorts of stuff. The varying styles, the interesting ideas and the sheer excitement of everyone there was so infectious.

It was so wonderful to see the developers smiling broadly, just happy to be there and show people what they made. After all, they were just like the people attending the convention. Just as eager to get into the industry and just as bewildered as how to do it. I’m just like that now and I can’t wait to be on the other side of it.

I had a good friend get me into the convention this year and I owe him a lot for all of the professional connections that I made and the experiences there. I am truly blessed with some good friends and some good times.

If you want to talk more about GDC and what goes on there, give me a tweet at @JohnSollitto and we’ll talk!

#nerdsunite

Want more from John? Click here to follow him on the twitter!

Check out his gaming site too!