March 28, 2009 1:22 am

Game Developer's Conference Swag (Freebies) Video

In my experience, gaming conferences are definitely a choice and generally enviable assignment, especially if you have the freedom to play, chat and hang out, but even if you are saddled with doing actual work the assumption is that attendees souls will be soothed by the freebies companies fill your bag with; that is the "swag." Unfortunately, the other truism is that not all swag is created equally. For proof of this just take a look at the Destructoid produced video below featuring a couple of the guys from their editorial staff at GDC in SF this week. In it they do the usual walk around the floor collecting swag from booths.

I’m tempted to think that maybe this is a tongue-in-cheek piece since
the stuff they show on camera is pretty lame: soap bubbles, badge
holders and yes, pens. They say that they are going to give the stuff
away via a contest on their site. Hmmm? Maybe they are keeping the good
stuff for themselves? Maybe they are holding on to it as a reward for
readers who actually check out the blog for the GDC wrap-up? Maybe the
whole thing is a commentary on the state of the industry? I don’t know,
but when a sad little cowbell is the highlight of the experience it might be time to get your notes together, upload your pieces for publishing and catch the next flight home.

–Hobson’s Choice