GDC to become invite-only for press?

[Jay]

[No worries for J2Games - we pay to get in anyway - although I'm all in favor for a free pass!]

The Game Developers Conference could be moving to an invite-only model for press in 2009, director Jamil Moledina has said.

Speaking to Kotaku, Moledina said that the event needs to cut down on those abusing the free entry granted to members of the press.

"We don't have it nailed down, but we are looking at moving to an invite model for press access at GDC," said Moledina.

"It's meant to be a networking event for people who make games, but more and more we are seeing a lot of individuals who are obtaining press credentials who aren't full-time press. It's kind of open to being spoofed, in a way," he added.

Last year The Entertainment Software Association changed the annual E3 show to invite-only, where members of the press were recommended by companies in the industry. If press were not sent an invite to the re-named E3 Media and Business Summit, they could not attend.

Moledina also wants the annual conference to remain focused on the learning process for the development community.

"Making sure the Game Developers Conference fits its core goals is the main thing we concern ourselves with.

"As long as it remains predominantly about learning, that's what we are concerned with," he said.

[PsychoChris]

how do you get pseudo-credentials? If I had those I could get into so many events. Are those people that are just bloggers or something that sneak into political events and the politicians refuse to answer their questions because they aren't "Real" journalists?

Does this mean then that Sean Penn isn't a real journalist either?

I'm so confused, but I do understand how some of these events want to keep rift-raft gamers out who just want to play their damn games!

[Jay]

Basically anyone with a website can get Press Credentials if they apply.  I can see how this gets out of hand. (you can basically start a website for as little as $4 a month!)

If they move to a 'vendor who is participating' needing to "recommend" press people they deal with, we know enough people now that at least we won't get excluded! (actually this would cut down some of the noise and allow us more undistracted face time to get you the info you really want to hear!)

 

[PsychoChris]

interesting... a website for 4 bucks...

i mean yes cutting down on the people that are just there to play verus those who are there to play and report on it for the benefit of other gamers does sound like a good idea.

so, tell me how to get a web site for 4 bucks again, I need to set something up as a resource for C.v.E.