tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3352155589322140093.post5609288031598546852..comments2015-08-13T13:23:23.270-04:00Comments on That's a Terrible Idea: GDC Austin: Thursday MMO Extravaganzamotstandethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06296441082624422375noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3352155589322140093.post-44486930269992129062009-09-21T00:35:00.679-04:002009-09-21T00:35:00.679-04:00Thanks for stopping by! I'm happy you happened...Thanks for stopping by! I'm happy you happened upon my message.<br /><br />Posts are sparse recently because of AGDC, but will pick up as I put my analysis and thoughts into more detailed and specific posts.evizaerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09836136474835816824noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3352155589322140093.post-62893633202877954912009-09-20T23:44:43.579-04:002009-09-20T23:44:43.579-04:00So given that these structures are highly subjecti...<i>So given that these structures are highly subjective and change frequently, what is the point on spending two-thirds of a lecture on volatile and useless information?</i><br /><br />My take is that aside from PR issues, the disclaimer was just a disclaimer. It still is useful to learn how other people run things, even if it's different from case to case. And really, even just learning that Blizzard went from 400 to 4600 employees is interesting in and of itself.<br /><br />This comment is also to say hi, and that I got your message, evizaer. For whatever reason, I decided to check my now-defunct blog attempt to see if anyone had commented again. What you guys are doing here looks interesting, I'll drop by from time to time.Verilazichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13950924751154692401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3352155589322140093.post-24461610071970922752009-09-19T09:32:26.094-04:002009-09-19T09:32:26.094-04:00I kinda figured most of these sessions were PR. A ...I kinda figured most of these sessions were PR. A lot of them had business spins and marketing pitches. The question of <i>why would a company tell competitors how to make more money</i> was always in the back of my mind.<br /><br />Hopefully we'll see you at a future GDC, Brian :Dmotstandethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06296441082624422375noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3352155589322140093.post-33137356895297914762009-09-18T21:25:42.392-04:002009-09-18T21:25:42.392-04:00So given that these structures are highly subjecti...<i>So given that these structures are highly subjective and change frequently, what is the point on spending two-thirds of a lecture on volatile and useless information?</i><br /><br />You ask this question because you don't understand the purpose of giving a talk. In many cases, it's not to inform people; after all, where is the benefit of giving away your "secret sauce" to all the potential competitors at a conference? After your first game conference or two, you'll understand that the real info isn't at the sessions (although you'll find the occasional gem), but between sessions. Making contacts and finding out the "real dirt" happening behind the scenes is what really helps.<br /><br />Anyway, the real reason to give a talk at a conference is PR. Game networks are going to report the keynote extensively, just google "blizzard austin keynote" to see how many places covered it. It's cheap press for Blizzard for the cost of air fare, hotels, and days off from work. (Although Blizzard is probably important enough that the conference may comp the air fare and hotel for them.) <br /><br />Personally, even though I mostly speak for PR purposes, I still try to give useful information that people can use; I'm old-fashioned that way. You can look on my blog for the slides and comments on my presentations from before. <br /><br />But, yeah, info about how many processors someone has on their blades? Hooray "we're more awesome than you!" information!Brian 'Psychochild' Greenhttp://www.psychochild.org/noreply@blogger.com