Is anyone going to the AGDC 2002 ?

Yup. One way or the other.

If its in melbourne I'm going! Souri got anymore info on it eg dates, venue and price

Lead paint: delicious but deadly!

It's at the Melbourne Convention Centre: December 6 - 8, 2002. I've emailed the people at http://www.agdc.com.au two times, but I've never received a response, so I have no idea how much it costs to enter, and whether or not it's for industry people only.

Heh... they're in the same building as me and I don't know either. :p

They're definitely working on it, whenever I see any admin or AGDC staff they're looking kinda psycho. Keep an eye on the website.

I went last year -- it was pretty good. As a student, the tickets costed AUS$150, I think. Throw in accomodation on top of that... etc. That included a three day pass and entry into everything EXCEPT the VIP dinner. You've got to cough up about an extra hundred or so for that. There appears to be a VIP cocktail party this year too now.

This years looks to be classier with that MF ship party thing. Interesting to see the Xbox prizes and PS2 as a major sponsor of the AGDC. BTW - have MF confirmed that Citizen Zero is moving to the Xbox yet?

The small print says that the tickets are AUS$143. Not bad. Now I've got to cough up for the accomodation.

I work in the Canberra studio, CZ is none of my durn beeswax, sorry. Even if I did know I couldn't say. I imagine we'll know by then anyway.

I still haven't seen much news about the conference but the website has been updated. They're apparently flying us down (woohoo, no train for me this year!). And many, many parties... of course parties are the best reason to go to the AGDC. Friday night is the big MF party in the ship, Saturday night is the cocktail parties (best time to hand out demoreels guys), and the dinner is after that. Speaking of the dinner, anyone planning on going? I don't know what the story is here yet but it's always good fun. Especially tagging bigwigs with blazing Nerf death.

BTW, for all you broke student types check out the Hotel Enterprize, I stayed there last year. Cheap as chips and within easy walking distance, the details are on the AGDC page.

I'm currently waiting until the schedule's up so I can figure out what I'll be going to and such. My main aim (apart from checking the mad games and soaking in the atmosphere) is to attempt to drum up employment, as you do. Having being turned down most of the year though, I wondering if it's worth the effort (and money)... We'll see.

Chris Bowden
http://brain.gamekey.com/

Sounds all good! I wish I could go, but I'm kinda broke at the moment . A few of my friends from Melbourne should be there though. If any of you are willing to write up an article / take some pictures of the event, I'll gladly put it up on the site!.. (Well, I hope at least someone does. It's pretty bad if it's not covered somehow on this site)

AGDC is the best place, bar none, to get your work out there and make contacts. If you can afford it, go. Take the train down, stay at the Enterprize, eat at the 7/11 on the way to the conference, you can keep your expenses to around $250 or so. Depends how far you have to travel, and where you eat. If you're sneaky or a fast talker you can get into the lunches - students aren't normally supposed to go. You didn't hear that from me though. :p

I'll try and get some photos, or I can just steal them from the AIE. ;)

Doom Bunny? That names familiar - did you use to play Counterstrike at the AIE?

I went there last year but couldnt afford to do the 2nd year dip II. Already owe $30000 from my degree so I'm doing my portfolio in my spare time.

$150 seems a bit much but screw it, I'll pay it. I hope that covers a 3 day pass.

Lead paint: delicious but deadly!

quote:
$150 seems a bit much but screw it, I'll pay it. I hope that covers a 3 day pass.

Lead paint: delicious but deadly!

It did last year and it was worth it. The talks were really interesting and it was great to be in rooms of like minded people. I know some guys that kept their previous years "pass" and wore them into the parties. They used the same design for two years running and no one checked the dates on them.

If you can beat the system, then well done, I say.

Look at it this way: if you manage to impress someone and it leads to an interview.....then surely $150 is a small price to pay?

The one and only. ;)

I did the diploma last year, got an offer from MF the day after graduation. I can't recommend it enough.

The registration form's at:

http://www.agdc.com.au/FEEDBACK/reg_form.pdf

EDIT: Okay, site's back. Prices are:

Pay Before 8th November
Full 3-Day Delegate - $800
1 Day Delegate - $580
Student 3-Day Delegate - $250
Student 1-Day Delegate - $180

Student Saturday Pass - $35
Expo Pass - $15
Expo Pass (Family) - $30

Friday and Saturday lunch events - $27.50 each
Satuday Conference Dinner - $143

Hotel Enterprize (Cheapest hotel option via registration form) - $77 for Courtyard Room.

There's also discounts on bulk registrations - 20% on 5 or more, 30% on 20 or more, which would be preferable for organised Sumeans (or whomever else wants a discount @:-).

Chris Bowden
http://brain.gamekey.com/

Edited by - Brain on 13/09/2002 16:49:22

wonder how leanient thay are with classification of 'student'.... should have a catogary for 'half in the industry but not being paid a lot of money'...
sound a bit like 'go blow smoke up sydney microforte' though, will hope that it wont actually be that bad...

DSC

quote:
The registration form's at:

http://www.agdc.com.au/FEEDBACK/reg_form.pdf

EDIT: Okay, site's back. Prices are:

Pay Before 8th November
Full 3-Day Delegate - $800
1 Day Delegate - $580
Student 3-Day Delegate - $250
Student 1-Day Delegate - $180

Student Saturday Pass - $35
Expo Pass - $15
Expo Pass (Family) - $30

Friday and Saturday lunch events - $27.50 each
Satuday Conference Dinner - $143

Hotel Enterprize (Cheapest hotel option via registration form) - $77 for Courtyard Room.

There's also discounts on bulk registrations - 20% on 5 or more, 30% on 20 or more, which would be preferable for organised Sumeans (or whomever else wants a discount @:-).

Chris Bowden
http://brain.gamekey.com/

Edited by - Brain on 13/09/2002 16:49:22

Shit - did the price just go up or what? Up $100 already from last year but I suppose they are offering more than in previous years. I'm hoping I can squeeze in on the student tag this year, there's no way I can afford the $800 tag if I'm forced to go for a delegate pass. Technically, it would be a grand for me as $1000 NZ = $800 Aussie.

Well hasnt that just thrown a fat, hairy wrench in my plans.

NB - Just checked the rego form. It doesnt say anything about providing proof of where you attend study....although I cant remember if they email you back confirming your form and then asking for details.

quote:There's also discounts on bulk registrations - 20% on 5 or more, 30% on 20 or more, which would be preferable for organised Sumeans (or whomever else wants a discount @:-).

You guys should DEFINATELY go with that option.

Mmm, the cost has swayed me muchly, especially since I'm not tied to the 'Student' tag at the moment.

Unless something else comes up, I think I'll continue to save up money for my own puter. Still... *sigh*

Chris Bowden
http://brain.gamekey.com/

Yeah, I hope to be going for the full 3 days (under student).

Now I just gotta get the money together...

The Saturday Student Pass seems to be quite good value, it gets you entry to the expo (normally $15) and also 4 seminars, the saturday arvo keynote, and the saturday evening sony cocktail party. Thats what i'll be getting, so i'll see any of you on the saturday. I'm actually not a student atm, finished comp sci degree last year,a nd hoping to go to AIE next year, just working part time atm and saving up for AIE fees :) I emailed the organiser and explained my situation, and it seems they will be a little more lenient on the saturday passes than the student delegate 1 and 3 day passes.
Good luck to anyone who is trying to get there!
CYer, Blitz

I wasn't kidding about getting Microforte people drunk so that they reveal some Citizen Zero stuff , btw..

quote:
I wasn't kidding about getting Microforte people drunk so that they reveal some Citizen Zero stuff , btw..

Just make sure you're not so drunk that you can still write legibly. Memory loss can be a bitch.

Maybe we could have some sort of a meet 'n' greet before the conference or something, see who's who etc?

[^] oh, we got smillies now. anyway.

do we have 5 people from these boards going to get the 20% discount? Guess i'm going to be going. (less guess, they going to charge me as a delegate even if i'm just freelance artist. crap)

I'm not 100% sure, but I think if you want the 20% discount, you have to prove what organisation you're from? Hmm... maybe we should all chip in some news for Sumea and then we can go as journos?

I remember seeing something on the registration form asking for proof or something - at least 5 need to be from the same organisation.

Food for thought.

Is Sumea registered as an organisation though? As if they want proof then we'd ahve to go "Official" or something.

I wish they'd hurry up with the schedule. I know Daz King is doing a tutorial on texturing so I'll be there in the front row for that. I'm also interested on what else is going to be addressed.

From the REGISTRATION FORM: "Incentive ?
Bulk Registrations from the same organisation
I am claiming the following discount for bulk registrations.
All registrations have been
made at the one time and paid by the same credit card/
cheque.
#137;
20%
discount for 5 or more delegates
#137;
30%
discount for 20 or more delegates
Names of Staff (Please complete separate registration form for each delegate"

Hmm... it looks like we'd all have to be paying on the same cheque. :(

Sumea is a registered business with an ABN number.. I don't see why you can't put Sumea as the organisation, and 'member' as your position, seeing as that's what some of you actually are. [:)].. better hurry up to beat the 8th November early bird deadline though.. you're all going as Full 3 Day Delegates ?

I plan to go for the 3 day delegate pass. Only thing is, if 5 of us take the discount, there has to be a single cheque that pays for all 5 of us. Dunno how we'll do that.

Apparently the schedule is supposed to be up by the end of this week. It was supposed to be up in Sept, but I guess they've just been confirming the speakers and talks.

Should be interesting to see what the story is this year.