GDC 2014 is just around the corner and San Francisco is getting ready to host a superstorm of parties sure to blow your mind.
If it's any indication of what's in store for the throngs of the gaming glitterati, the fun begins on one of the most festive days of the year, St. Paddy's.
As your ever present guide to all things happening in the afterhours scene, check back here frequently for party adds, and email martine.paris [at} pocketgamer.co.uk or tweet @contentnow if you find one that surely should be on the list.
We'll be on the hunt for Party of Show!
ERIN GO BRAGH!
Monday 17 March
What: POCKET GAMER AWARDS with Chukong & Kamcord
When: Monday, March 17, 6-8pm
Where: ROE, 651 Howard Street, San Francisco, CA 94105
How: http://pgawards2014.eventbrite.com
Cost: Free
More Info: The bubbly will be pouring at the Fifth Annual Pocket Gamer Awards where the mobile game industry gathers to celebrate the very best mobile and handheld releases from 2013 with 14 special categories. It will be an all VIP crowd. Come early to join the fun!
What: Mobile UA Fellowship Dinner
When: 6-10pm
Where: Jillian's, 175 Fourth Street, SF CA 94103
How: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/mobile-ua-fellowship-dinner-gdc-tickets-10496490285
Cost: FREE
More Info: A panel presenting an overview of Facebook's 2014 Mobile Strategy panel featuring Stephanie Shrum, Product Manager, Mobile App Ads, Facebook, Yousuf Bhaijee, Senior Director of Growth, Zynga, Sho MAsuda, VP Marketing & UA, GREE, Eric Seufert, Head of Marketing, Wooga, Christian Limon, VP Growth, Glu, Daniel Barnes, Head of UA & Monetization, Natural Motion. Sponsored by InMobi, Fiksu, AdEven, GameGenetics, Eedar.
What: POCKET GAMER GDC PARTY with FunPlus & Chukong
When: Monday, March 17, 8pm - LATE
Where: ROE, 651 Howard Street, San Francisco, CA 94105
How: http://pgawards2014.eventbrite.com
Cost: Free
More Info: Three floors of St Paddy's mayhem as PlayStation's legendary DJ R3Y bumps the dance floor with his special blend of elektrohouse and VGM. Spot Zelda in the mix as you sink into little nooks to hangout with industry friends you haven't seen in forever. Crafty cocktails and savory bites. Last year was so over the top, people are still talking about it!
Tuesday 18 March
What: European Mobile Drinks with Natural Motion, Wooga & Zeptolab
When: 6-8pm
Where: Samovar Tea Lounge, Yerga Buena Gardens, 730 Howard, SF CA 94103
How: by invite only
Cost: FREE
More Info: Torsten Reil, CEO, NaturalMotion (CSR Racing), Jens Begemann, CEO, Wooga (Jelly Splash), and Misha Lyalin, CEO, Zeptolab (Cut The Rope 2) discuss their outlook for the mobile games industry over drinks and snacks.
What: IGDA 20th Anniversary Celebration
When: 6-9pm
Where: Children's Creativity Museum, 221 Fourth Street, SF CA 94103
How: http://www.igda.org/?page=gdc2014
Cost: FREE
More Info: Join IGDA founder Ernest Adams as he cuts the Anniversary cake and celebrates IGDA's 20 years as the world's largest professional association for game developers. Drinks, snacks, and stop motion animation fun!
What: A Current Circus Event: VideoDreams and AudioMemories
When: 8pm til late
Where: Public Works SF, 161 Erie Street
How: http://musedev.net/gdc-party/
Cost: Tickets between $5-15
More info: Organised by creative collective Current Circus, the idea is to "come play, dance or mingle and enter a new world where the music is transformed by the audience and our international musicians and DJ lineup." The event will bring together musicians, procedural audio systems, musical video-games and art installations, "blurring the lines between audience, performers and dancers."
Wednesday 19 March
What: WIGI GDC PARTY
When: Wednesday, March 19, 6-9pm
Where: Cartoon Art Museum, 655 Mission Street, San Francisco, CA 94105
How: http://wigievents.tumblr.com/post/73459411478/get-involved-with-wigi-at-gdc2014
Cost: FREE
What: SHADERTOY HACKATHON
When: Wednesday, March 19, 6:30-9pm
Where: Adobe Hipster Hall, 410 Townsend Street, SF, CA 94107
How: http://www.eventbrite.com/e/shadertoy-hackathon-tickets-10578908801
Cost: FREE
More Info: For devs who'd rather hack than party this is for you! Swig some beer and learn how to push pixels from code to screen using WebGL. Then compete to write the best shader in 60 minutes. The shader idea will be posted @shadertoy at the start of the event with prizes for the winner!
What: THAT VENUS PATROL & WILD RUMPUS PARTY with Humble Bundle
When: Thursday, March 20, 7pm-2am
Where: Public Works, 161 Erie Street, San Francisco, CA 94103
How: http://thatvenuspatrolwildrumpusparty.com
Cost: $20
More Info: Those videogame romantics are at it again planning everyone's favorite ticketed event at GDC. The bands are sure to be awesome so keep checking back for the lineup, and this time Humble Bundle is sponsoring so who knows what type of shenanigans they're up to. You know it's going to be wicked, check it out. Early bird tickets are already gone!
Thursday 20 March
What: BIG INDIE PITCH @ GDC with Immersion
When: Thursday, March 20, 12-4pm
Where: 111 Minna Gallery, 111 Minna between 2nd/New Montgomery, San Francisco, CA 94105
How: http://bigindiepitchgdc2014.eventbrite.com
Cost: Free
More Info: Pocket Gamer plays host to this unique event where indies get a shot at pitching dozens of the world's leading mobile games journalists for a chance at coverage and prizes. Among the editors in the house include: Pocket Gamer's Jon Jordan, Keith Andrew, Rob Hearn, Matt Diener and Martine Paris, 148Apps' Jeff Scott and Rob Rich, Touch Arcade's Eli Hodapp, Slide To Play's Andrew Podolsky, Cult of Mac's Rob LeFebvre, Mashable's Chelsea Stark, Forbes' Jean Baptiste Su, Mobile Nations' Paul Acevedo, GamesIndustry.biz's Steve Peterson, and writers from Machinima, OXM, GamesRadar, GameSpot, Complex and others. Spectators welcome to bring their games and schmooze over drinks and delectables. Probably the most important event for you to attend for your game at GDC!
What: PIRATES OF SILICON VALLEY CRUISE PARTY
When: Wednesday, March 19, Boarding 6:15pm/7pm departure
Where: South Beach Harbor Pier 40
How: http://piratecruise2014.eventbrite.com
Cost: $600
More Info: Get your cosplay on as Peanut Labs and Curse set sail on the bay with their VIP mateys. After you have finished all your wheeling and dealing at W, what better way to end another epic show. Aye aye captain!
Friday 21 March
What: VIDEOGAME KARAOKE POST-GDC CHILLAX
When: Friday, March 19, 6pm-LATE
Where: Pandora Karaoke, Main Lounge, 177 Eddy Street, San Francisco, CA 94102
How: https://www.facebook.com/events/661866280541676
Cost: FREE
More Info: The Videogame Karaoke Club is back in black as the SF game community wrecks their special brand of mayhem and debauchery on everyone's favorite throwdown. GDC ain't over til everyone gets to sing! Industry madness at its finest.
