SAN DIEGO Game development meeting?

[billy7777]

If I remember correctly a few months ago there was a post on here for a San Diego Game Development meeting (I was in NY at the time)

Im in san diego now - so let me know you guys ever have one again.

Thanks
Bill

[robleong]

I'm game (no pun intended)! Whereabouts in San Diego are you, Billy?

[billy7777]

utc/clairemont area - let me know if anyone else is interested.

Thanks
Bill

[Jim Buck]

I had thought about posting about a get together for after the holidays, but I'm game for pretty much anytime except Dec 22 - Jan 2. I'm now located in the Gaslamp.

Where in NY were you from? I'm from the Albany area.

[Chris Evans]

I'd like to meet up too, but preferably after the holidays.

[billy7777]

Yeah after the holidays is fine with me too...


Jim: I was just there temporairly for a few months - Greenbush -just outside of Albany

[robleong]

Sounds good to me too - we could meet up again in the UTC area since that seems to be the most convenient location for all of us.

[Jim Buck]

Yeah, I'm up for UTC again. Beer is good there. :)

Maybe we could just resurrect this thread again after the holidays to decide a firm date.

Btw, any of you guys going to the IGDA meeting tomorrow?

(Re: Albany - Greenbush?? Man, it's been some time since I've been there.. what brought you way out there?)

[billy7777]

Yeah, I went to the IGDA meeting last night.

[Jim Buck]

How was it? The ad for it seemed to indicate it was really just going to be advertisement for ATI and Discreet. No talks about development stuff like when I used to go to these meetings a few years ago.

[billy7777]

It was sorta like that. They talked about the ATI SDK (mostly for mobile phone 3D game development) and the max 7 SDK - they showed a few cool new features of max 7 - for 3d game character modeling

It was cool - I will probably go to the Feb meeting too.

[robleong]

Too late for me - didn't know of this IGDA meeting. Is it free to attend for non-members like me?

[Jim Buck]

It's been a few years since I've been to one, but I think anyone can attend. (I'm not an IGDA member myself.)

[billy7777]

Yeah - its free for anyone - I didnt know about it either until Jim mentioned it.

[SteveZ]

I've been wanting to meet up with other fellow developers for some time now in San Diego. What an awesome opportunity. Count me in after the holidays as well!

-Steve Z.

[Jim Buck]

Steve - what part of San Diego are you located?

[SteveZ]

I live in La Jolla, ~2 miles away from UCSD, where I am currently enrolled in.

[robleong]

Great! Good to have a bigger group. Must also remember to attend the IGDA meetings next time...

[SteveZ]

As Jim said, I think around this time would be good to resurrect this topic again.

I am down to meet in the UTC area. Beer is fine for me too :) . My suggestion would be Red Robbins, good ol' burgers and bottomless fries. The tables can seat 7+ people, its pretty bright and cheery inside, and I believe they have a bar too.

I'm free most of the day, except 01/07/05-01/09/05. I'm good Sunday night on 1/9. I'm also busy on 2/18-2/20.

Lets get this rolling!

[robleong]

Steve, I don't have a set schedule, but will try to make it whenever the majority feel is the best date and time. A laptop might be useful to bring along to see what's new and under development...

[Jim Buck]

I am good for pretty much any day/time. Red Robin sounds ok for me. Since I have nothing to show as the day job and buying a new place had been keeping me busy for some time, I won't be bringing a laptop. :( I hope to change that within the next few months.

I'll just go ahead and propose a day/time: this coming Sunday 7pm?

[SteveZ]

I'll just go ahead and propose a day/time: this coming Sunday 7pm?

Sunday (1/16) @ 7p.m. works well for me.

[Chris Evans]

I can make it (as soon as I find out where it is. :p )

But I'll probably have to cut out a little early. Our second car broke down, so I'm the official chauffeur of the house. :) I have to pickup my wife from work Sunday night.

Also, is anyone bringing any projects?

[Jim Buck]

It could be earlier (6pm) if that's more amenable. Actually, now that I realize 24 premieres this Sunday, I'm up for earlier than 7pm myself. ;)

It's located right in the UTC mall next to one of the major stores at the west end of the mall.

I *could* bring a project, but it will strangely look a lot like Quake 2. :) (I decided to use the Quake 2 engine for my project.)

[Chris Evans]

I *could* bring mine as well, especially since it's almost done. It runs fine on my laptop, but my laptop is nearly 4 years old, so the LCD screen is horrible. It has severe ghosting problems. I'm always playing "Where's Waldo" with my mouse cursor. :)

So I'd rather install it on someone else's laptop.

[Jim Buck]

I could bring my laptop along then.

So, is 6pm also good for everyone? (I guess Chris and SteveZ since the others haven't rung in yet. :) )

[robleong]

I'm a 50:50 as I've got a visitor this weekend, but might just be able to get away for a short while. I could show you a simple 3D screensaver that I'm almost done with... Love to learn something about the Quake 2 engine too...

[SteveZ]

6:00pm sounds good :)

[Jim Buck]

Ok, see you all then.

3d screensaver would be cool to check out. :) I could talk a little about Quake2 if anyone is interested.

[Chris Evans]

I'm feeling really under the weather, so I'm not sure if I'm up to driving 45-50 minutes in the rain each way today. But I might still make it if I start feel a little better and the rain lets up some.

[robleong]

Sorry, had to miss this meeting - had to bring a friend out for dinner instead. :( My, did you see how it poured and poured in San Diego this evening?! Regardless, hope you all had a good time!

[Jim Buck]

Yeah, the rain was ridiculous last night! Only myself and SteveZ showed up at Red Robin, but it was very cool. Lots of interesting conversation over delicious Karl Strauss beer and Red Robin mai tai. :) We'd like to do it again soon.. when it's not raining so badly. :)

[robleong]

Glad it wasn't a washout! I will be there the next time.

By the way, Jim, my free screensaver that I wanted to show you is now available to download from this link: www.gamerblitz.com/3DEarth.php

Cheers!
Robert.

[gmcbay]

I'd love to attend one of these when the weather improves and the turnout is up. I can show off my current project running on the Tapwave Zodiac and a PC laptop. (Also runs under Mac OS X, but I don't have a portable Mac!)

[Jim Buck]

The screensaver is pretty well-rounded and cool-looking! I want to have a similar point-of-view of a planet in my game.

gmcbay: Where in San Diego are you located?

[gmcbay]

I live in the Carmel Valley area, near Del Mar Highlands, and I work in Sorrento Valley.

(UTC is pretty easy for me to get to, FWIW. Would consider going further too, depending upon what is central for everyone).

[Jim Buck]

Hey, I also work in Sorrento Valley. Where do you work? I work at SCEA in the San Diego Tech Center.

UTC has some good beer places, but if anyone is ever up for a meet downtown, I'm more partial to that. :)

[robleong]

It's a small world - I live in Carmel Valley off Del Mar Heights Road, so I'm probably living close to you, gmcbay. Yes, we'll have to meet up when the weather improves!

[gmcbay]

I work at Accelrys, a biotech company. Until a couple months ago, I also worked in the San Diego Tech Center (we moved.. still not too far away -- over on Telesis Court off of Lusk now). I really miss the Japanese gardens being right out back, though :)

Do you know Thai Tran or Bobby Takei? I don't know them *that* well but I've met them a couple of times through my girlfriend. I met a couple of other SCEA guys at Karl Strauss once too so maybe one of them was even you, but unfortunately I don't remember their names, it was almost a year ago now.

[Jim Buck]

Yes, I know Thai very well. We worked on many games together and are on the same team now even.

It's been a few years since I've done happy hour at "Building K", so you probably hadn't met me there. :)

[Jim Buck]

I'm resurrecting this thread to see about getting another San Diego meetup going within the next couple weeks. In another thread, Chris Evans said he'd be up for it in a few weeks.. maybe we could target some time then? Maybe Sunday Aug 14th in the early evening?

[James C. Smith]

I would be interested in attending a San Diego get together. I recently moved to a new home. It is technically still in Orange county but I am close enough to San Diego than my electric company is San Diego Gas & Electric. The San Diego county line is only 10 miles from here. Of course, the city of San Diego is still about an hours drive for me but it would be fun to make the trip sometime.

[Jim Buck]

Well, having SDGE as your provider certainly counts for getting you into a San Diego meetup. :) Seriously, though, that would be pretty cool. I wonder who else still reading these boards is still in San Diego. It might be just a meetup between you, myself, and Chris. :) (We've lost Rob to the SF area, but that's ok, since that area rocks - I don't blame him!)

[Chris Evans]

What about Steve? Is he stilll in the area?

August 14th sounds good. Should have a couple of things to show by then.

[Jim Buck]

The semester is over, so I'm not sure if he's around or not.. but, yeah, he could be another to join us. He did make a recent posting about an update to the pirate cactus game, so he's still doing indie stuff. Steve, you around??

14th sounds good.

[robleong]

We've lost Rob to the SF area, but that's ok, since that area rocks

In more ways than one! So far, I've not felt a tremor here. Good luck with your meeting, Jim!

[Jim Buck]

Thanks. :) I must admit to some jealousy.. I was interviewing with EA up there early last year and was really hoping to get the job just because the area was so awesome. :)

[sparkyboy]

Hi guys,

Well.....I'm a newcomer to your beautiful country and practically a neighbour of James now!! :eek:
So if it's not out of place I would very much like to meet you guys,sink a beer or three with you ;) ....and maybe shoot some pool!

Anyhoo its all good and i'm very impressed and well yeah..in awe with all of your credentials!! :cool:


Looking forward to your further postings!! :D

All the best


Mark.

[Jim Buck]

Would you be bringing this new woman you keep yammering about? :)

[sparkyboy]

Would you be bringing this new woman you keep yammering about? :)

Of course Jim!! ;)
She's the one doing the driving. :p



All the best


Mark.

[James C. Smith]

Maybe Sunday Aug 14th in the early evening?I will be there on the 14th. Just tell me the time and place. Maybe this deadline will motivate me to get something new to show by then.

[DrWilloughby]

Hi folks -- I'm in San Diego too. I'm the guy making Wildlife Tycoon: Venture Africa. I'd love to go to your next get-together.

I live in Hillcrest these days. Grew up in Del Mar, but I was away for about 8 years, school, work, etc. I've back now for about 7 months and I'm loving it.

Andy Schatz

[billy7777]

Aug 14 - count me in!

Bill
www.lasthalfofdarkness.com (http://www.lasthalfofdarkness.com)

[Jim Buck]

Wow, this will be the largest one yet! (Not that there have been many - only 2 so far.)

Any preference for San Diego area to have this? The other 2 times it was in UTC. I live downtown but think that probably UTC still could be the better area to have it.

[DrWilloughby]

Downtown sounds like fun, but really, wherever more people will show up is best.

[Chris Evans]

For me, farther north the better. UTC is fine, but I'd rather not go too further south than that. We got a couple of people coming from Orange county as well, so I think we should probably meet middle/north county. UTC still sounds good to me.

[SteveZ]

Hey guys,

I wish I could come!

I'm still in San Diego at the moment for internship. However, I have something to do in LA that sunday =/

Regards,
Steve Z.

[Jim Buck]

Since the 14th is coming up, I'll just go ahead and propose a place/time:

7pm at the Rock Bottom in UTC (http://www.rockbottom.com/RockBottomWeb/RBR/Index.aspx?PageName=/RockBottomWeb/Controls/Location/DisplayLocationRBR.ascx&SectionName=Root.LocationFinder.LocationResults.Lo cationDetails.OurPlace&LocationID=10070) (I admit I'm slightly partial to their microbrewed deliciousness :) )

Is it good for everyone?

[DrWilloughby]

Sounds good to me... see you there.

[James C. Smith]

I guess that time and location will work for me.

I have no idea what UTC is

[Jim Buck]

UTC = University Town Center.. it's an area of San Diego where UCSD is located. On the Rock Bottom site, it's listed under "La Jolla", though, since that sounds cooler. (La Jolla is the rich area of San Diego.. people who don't have a La Jolla address but are "close enough" always try to claim they are in La Jolla. :) ) The one listed under "San Diego" is the downtown one (just a couple blocks from where I live), but we were shooting for more toward the northern end of San Diego, so the La Jolla/UTC one would be better:

8980 Villa La Jolla Drive
La Jolla, CA 92037

In case anyone coming here from outside of San Diego might get lost, PM me for my cell number. (I would otherwise post it, but I'm a little paranoid about it being on a public messageboard. :) )

[sparkyboy]

Works for me too Jim!!! :D

Crikey,just realised it's this coming sunday!!!!(And I got sweet FA to show but my boozing and pool skills!!!!! :p )


All the best


Mark.

[Jim Buck]

....... Fa?

[sparkyboy]

So how many we got going already?Anyone know yet? Jim can you enlighten me?


All the best


Mark.

[Jim Buck]

If everyone that said they are coming in this thread actually comes, it will be 6, not counting any women that tag along. :)

[sparkyboy]

Crikey,just realised it's this coming sunday!!!!(And I got sweet FA to show but my boozing and pool skills!!!!! :p )


All the best


Mark.

Well,I may aswell bring my old Dos games, to show you 'PROS' that I'm not 'ALL HOT AIR' ( and talking like a plate of beans negotiating its way out of a cow's digestive system!!!) ;) :p

I may even bring the 'C' source so ya can all have a good freakin' laugh!!! :D


Laters

Mark.

[Jim Buck]

Are you guys all bringing laptops or something? I guess I could bring my PSP with the launch title I worked on. :)

[Chris Evans]

Yeah, who's bringing a laptop? My laptop is pretty crappy.

I'm probably just going to bring some screen shots on a USB stick.

[James C. Smith]

I'll be bringing my laptop. You can stick it if you want.

[Jim Buck]

I only know what Chris and James look like by sight, so anyone else can see what I look like here (http://www.gamelord.org/features/tm4team.htm) in case they see me walking around Rock Bottom looking for people. (However, those pictures are almost 6 years old, so do the math. :) I'll be wearing glasses.)

Also, I suggest meeting in the bar area. There are some tables there that are big enough for 5 or 6 people. Worst case, if we need more room, we'll move to the restaurant area.

[sparkyboy]

Well 'JUDGEMENT DAY' has arrived! :D

I'll be easy to spot, because I'll have my jeans on back to front, that way, no-one knows whether I'M COMING or GOING!! :p

Nah,just ribbin'.I'll be wearing cream denim jeans, a tee-shirt of some description, and a white baseball cap with a CELTIC insignia on the front, and celtic written on the back......Oh and the biggest give away............

I DON'T HAVE AN AMERICAN ACCENT!!!! ;)


Laters guys


Mark.

P.S.

Oh yeah, can anyone recommend a CHEAP hotel/motel in the La jolla area,because my woman will not want to drive back late!!!
Cheap=$120 or less!!!
Thank guys for any help.

[Jim Buck]

"cheap" and "La Jolla" go together like "oil" and "water". :)

To be honest, the only time I stayed in a hotel here was when I had my interview with Sony back in '96, so I couldn't say what's cheap and what's not. I would check out www.expedia.com to look for a hotel using 92122 zip code and city "San Diego" (not "La Jolla").

Though, I don't expect us all to be partying so late that it would be an unreasonable drive back to Orange County area (I'm assuming that's where you guys are located).

[DrWilloughby]

I look like this. (http://www.mobygames.com/developer/sheet/view/developerId,70876/), and I will be drinking one of these. (http://www.andrew.cmu.edu/user/lmoh/pics/guinness.jpg)

[Jim Buck]

Well, it turned out to be a very good showing (except for mr. recently-engaged :) ), and the stuff everyone showed was *very* impressive. Beer was good, though it was unfortunate that we got kicked out earlier than usual due to some weird late Sunday night renovation plans.

[DrWilloughby]

Yeah, everyone's stuff was really neat to see. And thanks James for all your insight into the issues of the industry. Hopefully we can do that again soon. Sorry I ducked out early!

[sparkyboy]

GODDAMMMMMMITTTTTTTTTTT!!!!!!!!!! :(

I missed you guys by 45 FREAKIN' MINS!!!!ARRRRRRRGHHHH!! :mad:

Anyway here's a day in the life of mr unfortunate!

The day is Sunday 14th August.........Sparkyboy wakes up at 9.15am after sleeping for 4 hrs, quite refreshed(considering ;) ) and pretty darn excited.
Jumps on the NET to find out any last minute changes and of course emails and other programming related stuff.

When all looks good, starts looking for hotels in the La Jolla area (and within walking distance).Now this is where things start to go.....how should I say.....PEAR SHAPED???

First, the connection starts to bleedin' play up and eventually ceases to provide any new web info.......ARRRRGH!! ( 10 mbps cable too!!!)

Then after 2 to 3 freakin hours we eventually find out that there is 1 room in 1 hotel that would cost about 350 Green backs.......ARRRGH!!No chance.

Anyhoo, unperturbed, sparkyboy manages eventually to print out complete directions from home to meeting place.......(Hehe never TRUST BLEEDIN' COMPUTERS!!)
After suitable refreshments etc,(its about 5.30pm now), all is set for the off, when up pops a small crisis( which took over 3 freakin' hours to sort!!)

Sparkyboy sets off with his fiancee at about 9.00pm ( about 80 miles and 1 hr 05 mins to destination right?.........hehe wrong!!!)

Hits Interstate 5, all is going well until........oh no.......people are heading back from holiday to San Diego......Traffic Jam,snails pace for about 25 mins........ARRRRGH!!!

Eventually exits the freeway, reads directions........go about 300 metres and take a right..........YEAH RIGHT!!!!!

Goes about 3-4 miles and nothing, nada, zip!!!!Does U turn then looks again..
same again......Returns the same way and gets lost.Eventually finds a Pizza place who could direct us...(If we'd just continued at first for another 200 metres or so we'd have found it!!)

Anyway, we eventually arrive at destination.......PHEWWWW YES!!!!!........

But wait.......what's this.....'Due to necessary works this bar shall be closing early on the FREAKIN' 14TH AUGUST'...NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!

So phones a certain Mr. Buck on his cell to see where everyone went too..and guess what........ALL SPLIT AND WENT HOME!!!!!!!!Missed everyone by about 45 mins, about the same amount of time lost on the freakin' road!!


Well at least the night wasn't completely a washout, coz had a nice meal and a few beers with my lady then headed home.

Hmmmm lets do this again soon guys! :rolleyes:

Moral of this story?..............If you want things to go right...........DONT BE ME!!!!!!!! LOLOL

Joking aside, I was seriously looking forward to meeting you guys and hope there can be another arranged pretty soon!!!!


All the best


A rather cheesed off Mark.

[sparkyboy]

Ahh feel better now!! ;)
Anyhoo,who actually made it to 'ROCK BOTTOM' (I just hit it last night!! :D )


All the best


Mark.

[Jim Buck]

Let's see.. in order of arrival, this is who showed up:

James C. Smith
myself along with my wife
DrWilloughby and his girlfriend
Chris Evans
billy7777

Good beer, good chicken wings, and good showing of projects in various stages of completion. :)

[sparkyboy]

Man, that really makes me wanna CRY!!!!!!! :(
All the best

A (now) very sad Mark.(But I'll get over it..........AGAIN!! Darling prepare thyself ;) )

[Chris Evans]

Yep, it was great meeting everybody last night. It was also cool seeing all the in-development projects and talking shop. We have a very talented group here in San Diego.

[sparkyboy]

Yep, it was great meeting everybody last night. It was also cool seeing all the in-development projects and talking shop. We have a very talented group here in San Diego.

Hey don't forget about me (and the VERY talented Mr J.C.Smith )!! What am I chopped liver?? :D :p ;)
SAN DIEGO INDEED!!!!Hehe
Just ribbin'!!! :)

All the best


A now rejuvenated Mark.

[James C. Smith]

As everyone else said, it was great to meet you all face to face and see the projects everyone is working on. There is never enough time at these things to finish all the discussions that get started. I got the feeling DrWilloughby has a lot more topics he wanted to get opinions on. And I am always happy to give my opinion on every topic. :-) I hope we do it again sometime. It would be fun show how the tools we each use to make our games. I would have liked to dig deeper into billy7777’s level editor or show off obscure details in my own level editors.

[billy7777]

Yeah... It was cool. Sorry we missed you Sparkyboy!

@James: As far as my editor... I kept my presentation kinda short since I went first and you weren't too sure how long your battery was going to last.
Not much to see yet anyway. Just the bare basics to get something done.

Bill