Tokyo CEDEC/CoFesta
by Susan · 09/24/2007 (2:45 pm) · 9 comments
I am in Tokyo attending a few conferences. I am speaking at DiGRA and doing a game design workshop on Friday. One, I love Tokyo. I don't speak Japanese, but it is amazing at how well you can manage by just pointing. Two, the subway/train system is crazy - but I was told that if I downloaded Metro for my smartphone, I would be able to get around just fine. Until I find my phone connector I am stuck with a map. I have a great sense of direction, but since I can't really read where it is I was let alone where it is I want to go, I am just walking around with a smile on my face in wonderment of it all.
Today I spent the day listening to industry friends speak to things that are part and parcel at GarageGames. Things like lowering the access to entry in the making of games. That user created content was actually the only way the industry was going to grow. It was a great afternoon - especially when Mark DeLoura said that GarageGames's Torque was by far the best of all the game engines that an independent could make games with... who could ask for better advertising?
Anyway, I am uploading a few photos
Today I spent the day listening to industry friends speak to things that are part and parcel at GarageGames. Things like lowering the access to entry in the making of games. That user created content was actually the only way the industry was going to grow. It was a great afternoon - especially when Mark DeLoura said that GarageGames's Torque was by far the best of all the game engines that an independent could make games with... who could ask for better advertising?
Anyway, I am uploading a few photos
#3
09/24/2007 (6:22 pm)
I'm lucky. I get back to Japan 3-4 times a year because my wife is Japanese. Fortunately for me, I speak Japanese ;)
#5
09/25/2007 (7:21 am)
I was hoping you had one, because you took picture of the game play and I was thinking maybe you had a camcorder to. I guess not thanks anyways. 
#7
...in my opinion; so true. Also, I feel that as computer games began to morph into the leviathans they have become, and needing a certain 'return' on investment, they began to exhibit very 'generic' quality to look and gameplay.
Oh, btw; Tokyo rocks, transportation system is the best/effecient on planet. As a 'Westerner', I found it extremely easy to find my way around the city and the entire country. Be careful in ShinJuku....lot's of fun, with an edge. Osaka, beautiful!
...seek out the Great Buddha; and go inside! Amazing structure.
09/25/2007 (12:28 pm)
Quote:That user created content was actually the only way the industry was going to grow.
...in my opinion; so true. Also, I feel that as computer games began to morph into the leviathans they have become, and needing a certain 'return' on investment, they began to exhibit very 'generic' quality to look and gameplay.
Oh, btw; Tokyo rocks, transportation system is the best/effecient on planet. As a 'Westerner', I found it extremely easy to find my way around the city and the entire country. Be careful in ShinJuku....lot's of fun, with an edge. Osaka, beautiful!
...seek out the Great Buddha; and go inside! Amazing structure.
#8
09/27/2007 (5:54 pm)
Just say "domo" a lot and you'll get along fine, :). 
#9
10/06/2007 (10:31 am)
I lived in Japan for 4 years of my life and loved every minute of it. Like you I was awestruck and the weird thing is that when I did leave I was still awestruck. I got to move back, one day. Two good survival words are Majede and honto they translate to "For real?" and "really?". I use them when I can't understand but I want to be polite. You'll know if they asked a question if there statement ended with "ka" If you didn't understand then say "mo ichi do" which means one more time and to be even more polite add "kudasai" to the end to say please. "nihonjin scoshi" means little japanese which I said alot when I didn't understand something and they go out of there way to find the proper english. "Wakadinai" means I Understand. And pointing at stuff you want and saying "ikura desu ka" which means "how much" helps alot in the stores. Learn your numbers up to a thousand and you'll know everything I survived my first sixth months with. Use Janae instead of Sayonara in less formal situations with close acquaintances and friends. Don't confuse it with Janai which means no. Don't confuse Kawaii and kawai either cause kawaii means cute and kawai means scary. I once told a woman who called my daughter cute that her baby was scary and she started crying and the whole mall stared at me. I didn't find out till three or four months later that my pronunciation was wrong. Good luck and cherish those moments. Make sure you bring something back too.
Torque 3D Owner Todd Pickens
I have in-laws in Japan, one of these days I am going to have to pay them a visit.
Thanks for sharing the photos.