Tech Blog

[#1]

The Expo hall at GDC Canada isn't stacked to the brim with developers, but those who are there are making the games we love to play. GDC is a chance for developers to reach out to one another, to middleware providers, and to potential publishers and employees.

GDC isn't a consumer facing event, so the glitz and glamour of E3 and PAX has been supplanted by low-key one-on-one discussions about development and technology. This is more about the genesis of games and the creative process than it is about slick marketing and building a brand for new titles. As Gregory Spievak, CEO of Reboot Communications, put it: GDC Canada is "two days of learning, networking, and being inspired."

That said, developers and publishers are more than willing to take the time to talk to interested fans about their upcoming titles. The Expo hall is currently playing host to Activision, Epic Games Inc., Relic Entertainment, Sony Computer Entertainment, and Microsoft. Agents for each chat quietly with interested parties, discussing the internals of games and what the future has in store for them. It's interesting to see the process in action; these are the teams that will bring us the next generation of Triple-A hits.

The highlight of the day for me was the chance to play Sony's new racing game ModNation Racers . I can say, without a doubt, that this is the best value in kart racing that I have ever seen, blowing Mario Kart right out of the water. The combination of a charming campaign mode, track/character/car creator and the Play.Create.Share. ethos of Little Big Planet make this game the kart racer that everyone should own.

GDC Canada and the first annual Canadian Videogames Awards were a great success for those involved. It's great to see Canada leading the way in innovative game design.