I found my tribe. #TNCONF2018
There were more talks than one person could actually see so they had to be divided into two rooms about halfway through each day. Thankfully they were being streamed/recorded so I'll be able to go back and see the stuff I missed, and maybe rewatch a few of the talks I attended.
To people who attend a lot of conferences, all of that probably just sounds like what I conference should be. And maybe it is, I haven't really attended a lot of conferences (I did attend GDC once), but I have attended a lot of conventions. And so that is where my expectation was rooted. And from a convention perspective, this was easily one of if not the best experiences I've had.
I think a lot of it comes down to almost a tribal feeling of connection and support. There was a feeling of reverence for the craft. A craft that we all have chosen to share. It doesn't matter if you are a first time designer or a giant of the industry. These are my people. We are all peers in the craft of game design.
I am certain I will be attending next year, and for many years to come. And if you are a designer and you did not attend this year, I would give serious consideration to attending next year.
Worth every penny.