non-IGC 2008
by Kenneth Holst · 07/21/2008 (4:07 pm) · 27 comments
Hello all ye faithful GG'ers! We've heard a lot of questions about our annual IndieGamesCon in the past few weeks. IGC has always taken place in October and right here in Eugene, OR. We've grown a lot over the past couple years and even though last year rocked with Jeff Tunnel's band, the InstantAction and Torque announcements plus all the great games and conversations you guys brought, we've decided to mix it up this year.
IGC 2007 - Marbling it up on InstantAction and chatting it up in groups
We're doing this for a number of reasons. IGC was always about providing a place for Indie game developers to come, network, show off games, and talk about technology. Providing this venue and opportunity to connect is still a really key part of what GarageGames does, but we've found that Eugene, OR can be somewhat inaccessible to people who'd like to come. To make this all more convenient this year, we're doing a "not-IGC" event this year with the same purpose. This will be a more lightweight affair, but it will also be free to whoever wants to join. There will be no scheduled talks or program, just a place to meet more developers like yourself, show off your stuff and have a drink.
IGC 2007 - talked and rocked
This year's "not-IGC" will be in Austin, Texas during the Austin Game Developer's Conference. GarageGames will have a booth and staff at the event of course, but we want everyone interested to get together with us offsite at the The Carnaval Room @ Dona Emilia's at 7:30 pm.
If you've got a game or anything interesting to show, bring your laptop and show it off. We'll also have an area at our GDC booth inside the Austin Convention hall, for you to come by and show off your game and check out others games and tech as well in case you miss us at the Carnaval room.
Many longtime GG'ers will be at the event to talk about our tech and your games. It will be great to see all the new stuff you've been working on and just get to meet some of the people we see on the GG site and forums regularly. We can't wait to see what you've been working on!
Finally, like at every IGC, we'll be having an exclusive Associates get together the night before on September 15th. Come see us at the GarageGames booth before 4pm for details, or, if you're not attending the conference, email me directly so I'll know to send on the information directly.
Thanks for prodding us on this by the way. IGC has always been special and we'll look at bringing it back to Eugene in 2009 if that's everyone's preference.
NOTE - Venue may change to accommodate more people, based on RSVP's.
PLEASE - RSVP to kenh at garagegames.com
not IGC
The Carnaval Room @ Dona Emilia's
September 16th, 2008 7:30PM
Austin, TX
Associates Dinner
Venue TBD...visit us at our booth before 4pm for details
Sept 15th 2008
Austin, TX
Hope to see you there!!
We're doing this for a number of reasons. IGC was always about providing a place for Indie game developers to come, network, show off games, and talk about technology. Providing this venue and opportunity to connect is still a really key part of what GarageGames does, but we've found that Eugene, OR can be somewhat inaccessible to people who'd like to come. To make this all more convenient this year, we're doing a "not-IGC" event this year with the same purpose. This will be a more lightweight affair, but it will also be free to whoever wants to join. There will be no scheduled talks or program, just a place to meet more developers like yourself, show off your stuff and have a drink.
This year's "not-IGC" will be in Austin, Texas during the Austin Game Developer's Conference. GarageGames will have a booth and staff at the event of course, but we want everyone interested to get together with us offsite at the The Carnaval Room @ Dona Emilia's at 7:30 pm.
If you've got a game or anything interesting to show, bring your laptop and show it off. We'll also have an area at our GDC booth inside the Austin Convention hall, for you to come by and show off your game and check out others games and tech as well in case you miss us at the Carnaval room.
Many longtime GG'ers will be at the event to talk about our tech and your games. It will be great to see all the new stuff you've been working on and just get to meet some of the people we see on the GG site and forums regularly. We can't wait to see what you've been working on!
Finally, like at every IGC, we'll be having an exclusive Associates get together the night before on September 15th. Come see us at the GarageGames booth before 4pm for details, or, if you're not attending the conference, email me directly so I'll know to send on the information directly.
Thanks for prodding us on this by the way. IGC has always been special and we'll look at bringing it back to Eugene in 2009 if that's everyone's preference.
NOTE - Venue may change to accommodate more people, based on RSVP's.
PLEASE - RSVP to kenh at garagegames.com
not IGC
The Carnaval Room @ Dona Emilia's
September 16th, 2008 7:30PM
Austin, TX
Associates Dinner
Venue TBD...visit us at our booth before 4pm for details
Sept 15th 2008
Austin, TX
About the author
#2
07/21/2008 (8:32 pm)
awesome, see all you guys there! 
#3
How can one evening compare to the three days of previous IGCs? It's an insult to suggest this is anything like IGC on any level. Call it what it is - a garagegames themed meet-up at GDC - and admit that you've cancelled IGC.
07/22/2008 (5:23 am)
I for one am massively dissapointed that Not-IGC is not being held in Eugene. It has always been a fantastic event in a small-town atmosphere and I think tacking it onto a huge industry event in a shiny city like Austin is a huge mistake. Why on earth would I fly ten hours to go to one evening's event in an expensive city - surely you don't expect indies to be able to afford GDC itself? And have you not read Jeff Tunnel's post about how much of a waste of time big conferences are for the vast majority of indies?How can one evening compare to the three days of previous IGCs? It's an insult to suggest this is anything like IGC on any level. Call it what it is - a garagegames themed meet-up at GDC - and admit that you've cancelled IGC.
#4
07/22/2008 (8:44 am)
I'm grumpy today. And grumpier that there's no IGC! 
#5
Hopefully we will see a formal IGC in 2009.
07/22/2008 (11:07 am)
While I am disappointed I don't have a great excuse to visit Eugene this year I will say that it is probably a good move to push some "GG Community" gatherings to each and every major games industry event that GG attends. If you guys can you should continue this trend at GDC as well, it would be a great excuse to get all the wandering masses of community members to meet up and talk (verus us stumbling into one another during the show). Hopefully we will see a formal IGC in 2009.
#6
This decision was absolutely not made lightly. Ultimately we just didn't feel that we had the resources to do a full-on IGC justice this year. That said, we still wanted to be able to reach out in a fashion to the community and give people a place to meet up and show off their games and network with each other over some drinks and food.
Whether this happened in Eugene or in Austin was a matter of discussion, and we felt like it would actually be a lot easier for people who wanted to come, to come to Austin - and that for those already there for GDC, it would be even easier.
It may be that it ends up being closer this year to a GG themed meet-up than an IGC or even a non-IGC as we had a few years back. Whatever it is, it will be what we make it and hopefully it will be fun for all involved. :)
07/22/2008 (11:21 am)
Ian, I can totally appreciate where you are coming from - even if the delivery is a little "grumpy" ;)This decision was absolutely not made lightly. Ultimately we just didn't feel that we had the resources to do a full-on IGC justice this year. That said, we still wanted to be able to reach out in a fashion to the community and give people a place to meet up and show off their games and network with each other over some drinks and food.
Whether this happened in Eugene or in Austin was a matter of discussion, and we felt like it would actually be a lot easier for people who wanted to come, to come to Austin - and that for those already there for GDC, it would be even easier.
It may be that it ends up being closer this year to a GG themed meet-up than an IGC or even a non-IGC as we had a few years back. Whatever it is, it will be what we make it and hopefully it will be fun for all involved. :)
#7
07/22/2008 (11:23 am)
Logan, that is a great idea, and resources permitting is something we would love to do at future events. We'll do our best to make it happen.
#8
I think the main reason I'm dissapointed is that I personally loved NIGC 06. It was so personal and it didn't seem like it was *that* difficult to organise. GG as a company are so friendly and welcoming there isn't that much need for anything particularly organised beyond a couple of crates, a couple of computers, and your space out back. I guess that might be offices by now though ;) But NIGC was such a high quality event I'm sad we can't have it again.
Anyway, look forward to seeing you guys in 09.
07/22/2008 (11:49 am)
Hey Ken.I think the main reason I'm dissapointed is that I personally loved NIGC 06. It was so personal and it didn't seem like it was *that* difficult to organise. GG as a company are so friendly and welcoming there isn't that much need for anything particularly organised beyond a couple of crates, a couple of computers, and your space out back. I guess that might be offices by now though ;) But NIGC was such a high quality event I'm sad we can't have it again.
Anyway, look forward to seeing you guys in 09.
#9
07/22/2008 (12:15 pm)
I hear you Ian. I loved non-IGC 06 and that it was so personal and down to earth. We'll see what '09 brings and put our thinking caps on here in the Garage. 
#10
Luckily, I already have business in Austin; I'm giving two talks at AGDC, Efficient Robust Networking and Unlocking Flash to Build the Next Great MMO. So I'll see everybody there!
07/22/2008 (1:59 pm)
It's a shame it's not local this year. Especially since I actually live in Eugene.Luckily, I already have business in Austin; I'm giving two talks at AGDC, Efficient Robust Networking and Unlocking Flash to Build the Next Great MMO. So I'll see everybody there!
#11
Hey, that rhymed.
07/22/2008 (4:25 pm)
Well, I was considering going to AGDC this year...maybe this will get my butt in gear.Hey, that rhymed.
#12
07/24/2008 (3:49 pm)
Ken Holst. You broke my heart.
#13
I still <3 you though!!!
07/24/2008 (4:00 pm)
I know it's hard news to hear Adam, and I'm sorry bout that :( I still <3 you though!!!
#14
Any date yet set for 2009? I'm planning CGDC for 2009 and trying to avoid collisions with other GDC (particularly Indie conferences) dates. Email me if you have info please!
-Laurene
tinyzoo@yahoo.com
07/28/2008 (1:19 pm)
I live in Oregon. I wanted it to be in Eugene! :)Any date yet set for 2009? I'm planning CGDC for 2009 and trying to avoid collisions with other GDC (particularly Indie conferences) dates. Email me if you have info please!
-Laurene
tinyzoo@yahoo.com
#15
07/29/2008 (11:45 am)
Anyone planning on attending, please RSVP me at kenh@garagegames.com please. We'd like to get a head-count of who is planning on showing up!
#16
07/29/2008 (3:13 pm)
Sounds great and Since Im from Texas I would love to attend, unfortunately since its on a tuesday, I cant make it. Hope you consider moving it to a weekend. DL out. 
#17
07/30/2008 (1:10 pm)
Is there a cover charge or something for the off site get together?
#18
07/30/2008 (1:41 pm)
Nope, there won't be any charge to attend. 
#19
07/31/2008 (7:56 am)
Ken would this even be one where developers can pitch the game to GG to start chats on publishing? Or is this just a meet and greet?
#20
07/31/2008 (11:17 am)
Yep, we absolutely want to check out your game. We will have the resources to check out games there, provide some pretty light feedback, and then pass along what we see to the others once we get back to the office... so in short, yeah, lots of show and tell. 
Employee Eric Preisz
GarageGames