From the imposing grace of the Golden Gate Bridge, to the infamy turn tourist attraction of Alcatraz: San Francisco is an intimately familiar place for anyone who holds video games close to their heart. Even for those of us who are yet to brave the thirteen hour journey that would usher us halfway around the world.
Over the years, we’ve stared bleary-eyed at its E3 press conferences. Awake at some ungodly hour as we revel in the spectacle of gaming’s grand event. Elsewhere, we’ve caught shaky camera phone footage of GDC talks and panels. A time where the human face of these technological marvels are given a chance to take to the stage. Divulging their deepest development secrets. Each and every one recounted to a captivated audience.
We’ve also driven in and around it. Flown over it. And gallivanted within it. Exploring its painstakingly-detailed virtual recreations with wireless controllers in hand. We’ve toured its past in LA Noire. Robbed its present in Grand Theft Auto. And shot its future to pieces in Call of Duty.
We’ve tussled with its traffic and torn up and down its bustling city streets in Driver: San Francisco; grinded its ramps in Tony Hawk Pro Skater; stalked its shadows like a ghost in Splinter Cell.
Yet even for those of us who’ve spent late nights exploring every square inch of San Francisco’s digital recreations, turning hopes of breaking into its gaming scene from dream to reality can be an intimidating prospect. More so for those of us touching down amongst the bright lights of the big city for the first time.
With a base of operations situated at the heart of this metropolis, Kiwi Landing Pad offers the perfect starting point. And to aid in that journey? We’ve compiled a veritable Prima Strategy Guide of information: a cheat sheet of events, developers, press and developments. The perfect companion piece to the plane ticket in your back pocket: the one that may well kickstart the opportunity of a lifetime.
Events & Conferences
From the flash photography of this industry’s gala event, to the detailed deconstruction of the development process: San Francisco - and California as a whole - plays host to some of this industry’s biggest events.
Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3)
When: June 16-18, 2015 - Annually
Where: Los Angeles Convention Center, 1201 South Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA 900015
What: Every industry needs its night of nights. It just so happens that video games’ is spread across three days and some 67,000 square meters of the game revealing, headline grabbing, attention-seeking spectacle that is E3.
Held in LA’s Convention Center - just an hour’s flight from SF - E3 is the industry’s go-to event for mainstream press coverage. The only one you’re likely to see grabbing screen time on your local nightly news.
E3’s relevance has shifted in recent years. Seen as a necessary evil by some, and a boisterous celebration of all things video games by others. Many developers are now opting out of the E3 news cycle. Deciding instead to hold their own events, live streams and unveilings before the event itself.
Still, nothing quite matches E3’s grandiosity. It’s a monstrous thing. And while the show floor is where you’ll find developers and press alike - all run off their feet - it’s the conferences we tune in for. A chance for the industry’s big three - Microsoft, Sony and Nintendo - to lay out their plans for the coming year. Lifting the lid on announcements and, more often than not, poorly kept secrets.
The Final Word
It may not be the best place to pitch tired devs, but E3 offers a fascinating insight into the health and direction of the ‘mainstream’ videogame industry.
News Of Note From E3 2015
Microsoft Goes Wireless, Augments Minecraft’s Reality
Microsoft demoed its AR headset - HoloLens - at their press conference, showcasing its potential uses with smash-hit Minecraft. It was also revealed that it would be using Intel’s Cherry Trail chip, making it the first headset to use wireless power and charging. A far cry from the days where this tech was relegated to the wireless charging of controllers.
Nintendo’s ‘Next’ Project
Nintendo continued to tease its ‘NX’ project, letting slip that it’s ‘already hard at work on its next home console’. Could this be the NX? Many think so.
Sony Hits The Nostalgia High Notes
Sony’s focus was on software over hardware at this year’s E3, where they unveiled a trio of titles long thought dead. The Last Guardian made its first appearance since 2009, a Final Fantasy 7 was finally announced, and Shenmue 3 hit Kickstarter as the conference wrapped up. And hit its goal almost as quickly! Proof, once again, that nostalgia’s grip on this industry is stronger than ever.
Game Developers Conference (GDC)
When: March 14-18, 2016 - Annually
Where: Moscone Convention Center, 747 Howard St, Between 3rd & 4th St, San Francisco, CA 94103
What: If E3 is this industry’s gala event, then GDC is its unabashed celebration of the people that work tirelessly behind the scenes: programmers, artists, audio teams and developers alike. From blockbuster titles to indie hits, there’s guaranteed to be a panel, discussion or event at GDC that provides a fascinating insight into how these games were made. .
GDC is best known for its Dev Days, as well as the events that occur on the periphery of the show itself. Lost Levels is a prime example of this: an ‘un-conference’ of sorts, it’s open to any and all who just want to hang out and talk all things video games. A wonderful showcase of the San Fran games scene as a whole.
The Final Word
While announcements and unveilings are beginning to creep in, GDC remains a show by developers for developers, press and fans alike. And it remains all the better for it.
News Of Note From GDC 2015
We’re All Game Devs At Heart
The evolution of the independent development scene continues, with platforms like Twine, software like Gamemaker Studio and services like Steam’s Greenlight and Early Access continuing to support the idea that game development is a possibility for anyone with an idea and the time to make it happen.
What It Means To Be Indie
With big name developers of yesteryear coming back to kickstart spiritual successors to their most popular creations, the debate over crowdfunding - and who it’s helping and hindering - continues. A debate that won’t be slowing down anytime soon.
The Independent Games Festival (IGF)
When: Alongside GDC - Annually
Where: On The GDC Show Floor
What: Run alongside GDC, the IGF is the premiere event for indie developers. Showcasing the best, brightest and most promising games and the names behind them. With a presence on the expo floor, as well as a standalone IGF Awards Show, it celebrates the best of the best, offering a fascinating insight into the indie scene. A must-see, attend and participate for any budding developer.
IndieCade Festival
When: October 22-25 2015 - Annually
Where: Multiple Locations In Downtown Culver City, LA
What: Another must-see for indie developers, there are a number of IndieCade events run throughout the year. Some held in tandem at expos like E3, while a standalone event is held in mid-October. The biggest indie event in the nation, it’s the perfect opportunity to check out the latest titles, talk with devs, and rub shoulders with up-and-coming - and established - names alike.
Press & Publications
Closures and downsizings have shrunk the press scene in recent years, with the closure of numerous outlets. Unsurprisingly, it’s the bigger names that are sticking around. And they all sit right on Kiwi Landing Pad’s doorstep.
IGN
Where: 625 2nd St, San Francisco, CA 94107
What: IGN is, arguably, the largest videogame outlet around. With some 68 million views a month - and growing - IGN is the place to be seen. Earning a reputation as the tabloid magazine of games coverage from some, their reach is undeniable.
GameSpot
Where: CBS Interactive Inc, 235 2nd St, San Francisco, CA 94105
What: Caught in a tussle with IGN for the title of top press dog, GameSpot is the second of the so-called ‘Big Two’. With a similarly large focus on video content, GameSpot still reaches some 20+ million views a month.
GiantBomb
Where: CBS Interactive Inc, 235 Second Street, San Francisco, CA 94105
What: Established by former employees of Gamespot - now back under that banner after being bought in 2012 - GiantBomb are known for their pioneering video coverage and podcasts. One of the first to hit on the idea of press as personalities, each member of the team is integral to the breakout success of GiantBomb as a hub for unique videogame coverage.
Developers & Studios
San Francisco is home to more game developers, publishers and studios than you can shake a stick at. What follows are a few highlights, while GameDevMap provides a more exhaustive resource for those interested.
2K Marin
Where: 10 Hamilton Landing, Novato, CA 94949
What: Involved in the development of Bioshock, Bioshock 2 and The Bureau: XCOM Declassified, 2K Marin have had their fair share of ups and downs with staff cuts in recent years. While the studio’s current project is still under wraps, it was handed the reigns to the Bioshock series in 2014.
Doublefine
Where: 525 Brannan Street, San Francisco, CA 94107
What: Helmed by Tim Schafer - the man behind greats like Full Throttle and Grim Fandango - Double Fine is the studio responsible for some of the industry’s sleeper hits like Psychonauts and Brutal Legend. They were also the first studio to really put Kickstarter on the map with their point-and-click genre revival - Broken Age.
PopCap
Where: 618 Walnut Street, San Carlos, CA 94070
What: Recently purchased by EA, PopCap are the brrraaaiiinnsss! behind Plants VS Zombies: a PC hit that soon swarmed to every mobile device in existence.
EA Redwood Shores - Visceral & Maxis
Where: 209 Redwood Shores Parkway, Redwood City, CA 94065
What: EA have had a rollercoaster few years, finally shaking off its consumer-voted ‘Worst Company In America’ title after taking home the award not once but twice. Nowadays? They’re helping bring titles like Mirror’s Edge: Catalyst and Star Wars: Battlefront to market. While Dead Space developers Visceral and The Sims creators Maxis continue to grow under EA’s banner.
Zynga
Where: 699 8th Street, San Francisco, CA 94103
What: Heard of Farmville? Words With Friends? Yeah, I thought so! Zynga’s stakes have fallen recently, as have most mobile developers who reached for the stars during the Free to Play mobile boom, but they’re gradually repositioning themselves for a brighter future.
Guest post written by Jamie Dalzell [twitter] @Sir_JD