Big-wigs from the videogame industry began gathering in San Francisco to share tips and make connections in a sector proving resistant to the economic meltdown.<\/p>\n
Approximately 18 000 people are expected to attend the Game Developers Conference (GDC) by the time it wraps up on Friday.<\/p>\n
That figure is on par with last year’s attendance despite dismal global financial conditions.<\/p>\n
"This GDC especially serves as a bar of measure and beacon for the games industry for 2009," said event director Meggan Scavio.<\/p>\n
"The strength and spirit of the industry is reflected here in these five days where the community gathers … to directly challenge current global economic conditions by finding and creating new opportunities."<\/p>\n
US videogame hardware and software sales climbed 10 percent in February to $1.47 billion as compared with $1.34 billion the same month last year, according to market tracking firm NPD.<\/p>\n
"The US video games industry continues to post strong year-over-year comps despite the tough economy," said NPD analyst Anita Frazier, who predicts that March will be another stellar month for videogame sales.<\/p>\n
"Unit sales increased even more than dollar sales did, reflecting a slightly lower average retail price for all categories as compared to last year."<\/p>\n
GDC attendees range from videogame industry icons behind blockbuster titles such as "Fallout 3" and "Metal Gear Solid" to college students with innovative new ideas and folks seeking work.<\/p>\n
The event began Monday with a series of panels and tutorials, several of them devoted to tailoring videogames to Apple’s hot-selling iPhones and iPod Touch MP3 players, which have motion-sensing capabilities.<\/p>\n
GDC will kick off its main conference schedule on Wednesday with a keynote speech by Nintendo president Satoru Iwata.<\/p>\n
Japan-based Nintendo is credited with enticing legions of "casual gamers" into the world of videogames with Wii consoles featuring easy-to-use motion-sensing controllers and titles geared for play with families or friends.<\/p>\n
An Independent Games Festival and a Game Developers Choice Awards ceremony will provide glimpses of new talent and the works that peers deem most worthy of praise.<\/p>\n
GDC is considered a growing rival for the annual Los Angeles E3 videogame industry gathering, which is trying to recoup its dazzling status after dabbling two years ago with being a small, invitation-only event.<\/p>\n