One of the things I quite enjoy doing is going out there and meeting people. Sometimes its hell, but others its really great to meet new people and create new connections. I was wondering how people on this forum view these things. Do you guys go out there and network? I dont mean just in terms of marketing your stuff, but just in general to create contacts and find out who is out there?
We do almost none, but we're not proud of it. We get by in business with the old boy network and referals, but we don't get many new clients because nobody knows about us. Nor do we do much of our own stuff that needs shouting about. (Which is something we're working on but not there yet.) It would be good to get out the office from time to time, though, Trouble is, all the best events are usually a thousand quid and a million miles away. Nothing that happens in the UK is anything more than a jolly, and we can do those down the local.
Hmm, I wanted to wait until I had some more responses Paul, but I think youre probably missing out on a ton of useful contacts here. Admittedly there is probably a boatload of useless stuff you would have to wade through, but believe me there are useful events out there. Trouble is unless you put the time in, you really wont see the good from the bad. I've met some really skilled "networkers" that have done a lot of business, but you can tell they learnt to work a room, learn to give and take in these events and really have a good handle on the upsides and downsides to them. I know one guy who is running a company on work mostly drummed up at local meet and greet type events. I just got the feeling that most on these forums are a bit.. insular?
I think I'd probably do more networking if I was actually any good at it. We've certainly not got time for me to get good, as I'm needed at my keyboard. It can be quite a catch-22. The main reason I'm no good at it is because I just can't bullshit people. I always assume that like me, they think anything the other guy says is gonna be bullshit. So I either have to bullshit or try to be honest and have them assume I'm undershooting as my "bullshit" isn't big enough. I don't want to be "worked", as evidenced by the look on faces of salesmen in furniture shops I go in, etc. I'm still waiting on a guy whose most important job in the whole world is to phone me last Monday. I just find it all rather boring.
I'm passive at networking. I'm a pretty easy going guy, so getting along with people (even Sheldon from Big Bang Theory) isn't hard. I just try to be a nice guy and nice people seem to gravitate towards me. I don't like BSing. I can do it, but it's taxing on my nerves. Generally, it's easier to take an interest in something about the other person and talk about it (without questioning the person to death). I'm not suggesting feigning interest or following a flow-chart to find a "Least Objectionable Activity". The cool thing about our collective profession is that we can predefine a structured activity (ie a game) that provides rules of engagement and builds a foundation for communication. Face-toFace games are better for networking. In any event, I'd like to network more. Meet people at conferences and all that jazz.
If I lived relatively near any places that do gaming conferences, I would defintely get out and network (even if my social skills suck!), but unfortunately, my networking is limited to online most of the time. I would much rather prefer talking to others in person, though.
Well, you know I do. In fact I'm off to blag a takeaway curry out of Cliff on Tuesday night. I might have to stick my fingers down his throat tho'. Cas
Unfortunately, I don't do much of it although I know how important it is... I blame it on my desire to be a hermit. That and I never know what to say. I'm always worried that I'm being intrusive.
I do as much as I can - mostly online. Otherwise, I'd never be able to trick people into working on Blood Frontier
I like meeting likeminded people and I occasionally have business meetings with people interested in this line of work, but for the most part my focus these days is on making a good game. I used to do more, but now that my name is out there and the portals have largely consolidated, there's not a ton of point to it unless I want to take my business in a new direction. It's always good to meet other developers just to share ideas, though. Speaking of which, maybe I'll organize another San Diego meetup soon...
I do alot of it in my 9-5 (research industry), but need to do more in the gaming industry. I have an honest desire to meet people and talk games. I view it less from a sales perspective, and more as just plain fun. I am in NYC (anyone else here?), which seems to have a decent group of community type indie gamers, but less so than you might think.
I've been to several such things... although I generally end up pissed quite quickly. At the last one I was the impromtu interpreter between an English-speaking Dutchman and a broad Glaswegian. All three of us were rat-arsed at the time, which didn't help.
I would like to start meeting some like minded people. I have never met anyone (in person) who is doing what I do. What I really need is to meet someone who not only has knowledge of creating games, but someone who is business savvy as well.
I haven't done much face to face networking but I have some great contacts that I have come across through cold emailing. Its a tough way to get contacts considering 99% of everyone with a games website ignores your emails.
If said networking involves a bar, I'm there Conferences can be fun, although typically it's the stuff that happens after 5 PM where the real networking happens... - andrew
I don't network often either. I'm currently on a stay at home work on game status. I agree it would be fun to go out and meet some game making folk. I think it would motivate me to take full advantage of my current status. Like amaranth, I too am being a hermit. Look this is like my second post here. This post is probably my first attempt to network in a loooooong time. *edit: it was my 1st post!*
I do at the moment (and will do more when my game is done, any day now). It's lots easier to network in Vancouver, Canada than in Dorset, UK. However, still lots of my networking is done online and works very well.
I do as much as I can. I have the fortune of living in the Bay Area, which houses a number of indie devs. I try to buy as many people lunch as I can find. It's been invaluable, in terms of hearing what works and what doesn't, and getting a bunch of new perpsectives on things. P.S. if anyone wants to "network" feel free to hit me up on AIM or MSN: osxii or jeff@wolfire.com
You lucky, lucky man! Sometimes it seems like everything happens in San Francisco... To answer the topic: Not really. These forums are about the pinnacle of my online networking, and I've only ever been to one conference (GDC, at which I walked around dazed and tired and didn't talk to many people besides spruiking at my IGF booth all day long, not really having cottoned on to the value of this "networking" thing yet - such a wasted opportunity).