Game designers of the
world, greetings!
It’s time to register
for this autumn’s Game Designers Workshop! This year we will be at the Westin
Hotel at the Domain, in Austin TX, on the weekend of October 19 and 20.
If you’ve never been to
a GDW, read the FAQ, at the end of the email, to find out what wonders await
you! Or visit the GDW website for boatloads of additional information.
The period between
signing the hotel contract, and getting enough registrations to cover the
minimum guarantee, is the period which gives your GDW organizers ulcers and
insomnia. So be kind and send your checks to Bob (address below) as soon as
possible.
Cost
The registration
fee is $380. This covers:
There are also optional
dinners on Friday and Sunday for early arrivers and late departers. Payment for
those will be collected in cash on the spot. We’ll collect RSVPs for those
dinners as we get closer to the event. And, for early arrivers, there will be a
fun outing on Friday afternoon.
Our meeting room has
space for 30. Once we get 30 payments we’ll start a waiting list, since there
are usually a few people who drop out at the last minute.
Lodging
You’re responsible for
booking and paying for your own lodging. We’ve negotiated a discounted rate at
the Westin of $199/night. This price does not include taxes, currently 15%. To reserve your room, use this link:
https://book.passkey.com/e/49950599
There are a limited
number of these discounted rooms. If we use them up, they may make more
available pending non-GDW demand. The sooner that happens, the better our
chances are of getting more discounted rooms. So please make your reservations
ASAP. In any case, availability of the discount ends on 9/27/2019.
What Do I Need To Do
Right Now?
1. Mark the weekend of 10/19/19
and 10/20/19 on your calendar.
2. Reply to me (Steve)
right away, checking a box below so we can start getting a count:
[ ] I’ll be there! I'm sending a check to Bob immediately and plan to
stay at the Westin.
[ ] I’ll be there! I'm sending a check to Bob immediately, but I’m
staying elsewhere.
[ ] I’ll probably be there. I'll let you know for sure ASAP.
[ ] Sadly, I probably won’t be there this year. I'll let you know for
sure ASAP.
[ ] Tragically, I definitely won’t be there, but please keep me on the
GDW mailing list.
[ ] I won’t be there, and please remove me from the GDW mailing list.
3. If you’re coming,
please send a check for $380, made out to “Bob Bates”, to:
Bob Bates
5207 Honeysuckle Ct.
Centreville, VA
20120
4. If you’re staying at the
Westin, reserve your room!
5. If you’re coming from out of
town, make your travel reservations.
Thanks, and we hope to
see you in September!
--Bob (bobbates@bobbbates.com)
--Steve (steve@boffo.us)
--Gordon (gordonwalton@hotmail.com)
--Noah (nfalstein@gmail.com)
Frequently Asked
Questions
Q: Why Austin?
A: We have the GDW in
different cities, typically the ones where large numbers of GDW members tend to
live. We surveyed the membership this year, and this weekend in Austin won the
vote.
Q: What should I expect
when I attend a Game Designers Workshop?
A: It’s like a two-day
GDC roundtable, except one where the people around the table are the world’s
most experienced (and good-looking) game designers. Each attendee gets to pick
a topic and moderate the discussion for 1/Nth of the weekend, generally around
40 minutes. In addition to that, there’s fine food, schmoozing, drinking, and
playing games late into the night.
Q: $380! Why so much?
A: Basically,
hotels are thieving bastards. We try to run the event at a break-even – no one
is making a profit on the Workshop.
Q: Can I bring my
spouse/significant other/buddy to dinner?
A: Friday and Saturday
dinners are members-only. On Sunday, which tends to be smaller, we allow
spouses and significant others (although few are interested in hanging out with
a bunch of inebriated game designers).
Q: I know a good game
designer… can I invite him or her to the Workshop?
A: The workshop is
invitation-only through a time-tested system. We are always looking for new
designers to add to our group. If you know of a good candidate, send a
recommendation to Noah, Steve, Bob, or Gordon – please do not just invite them
yourself.
Q: Do I have to pay by
check?
A: Bob prefers
checks, but can handle PayPal.