A quick couple of trips...

I just returned from the Austin Game Conference, where we showcased the latest in Machinima films for the conf attendees at the now-standard AGC Machinima Theater. Thanks again to all the filmmakers who allowed us to show their work during the conf.

It was fun to be in Austin again (this time, with the weather actually comfortable) and I even purchased a cowboy hat for myself. Yes, it was the touristy thing to do - and no, I won't post any pics of yours truly wearing said hat.

At the conference, I sat in a number of great panels including, "Who Owns My Lightsaber?"- moderated by my good friend Prof. Beth Noveck, with panelists Prof. Edward Castronova (Indiana University), Raph Koster (CCO, Sony Online) and Dr. Greg Boyd (Kenyon & Kenyon). The panel covered the various topics of property rights within MMOs, with the panelists giving their take on EULAs and the illusion of user ownership. Bottom line: under current law and agreements, you own nothing associated with your account in a MMO. The panel ultimately created more questions than it answered (obviously) - but it was a compelling hour to say the least.

One very entertaining session was the MMO Rant on Friday afternoon. On this panel was Brian Green, Jessica Mulligan, Jeff Hickman and Gordon Walton - all of who are key figures in MMO development. The panel was filled with several LOL moments around MMO development, with panelists (and some audience members) making good points along the way. Unfortunately, the call to arms issued by the developers never struck paydirt, and it sometimes devolved into a bitch session for those who took the floor to kvetch about their own particular area of angst (Steve Jackson, who sat in the audience, found opportunity to rave about the lack of adequate game documentation - however, he sounded like someone still developing in 1988). Still it was a fun session to end the conf on, if only for the color commentary by the not-so-reserved panelists. Here's to Jessica Mulligan's "You Suck!" barb directed at any standing in her line of fire.

Next up, I attend the Serious Games Summit in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday to give the lowdown about Machinima to G-men and women.

Quick Austin anecdote: Here's one for the "lives crossing paths" chapter of my autobiography; I was having dinner with some friends at Chuy's on my last night in the city, when I went to the front desk of the restaurant to arrange car service for transport back to the hotel. As I was speaking with restaurant hostess, I was suddenly shoved aside by a well-dressed gentleman. Before I had the chance to get up in his face with my best Brooklyn-fu, ex-President Bill Clinton walks into the restaurant, looks at me and says "Hi, howya doin'?" and then heads straight past me into the restaurant. What Clinton was doing in Austin having a heavy tex-mex dinner post-heart-op, is beyond me, but I hope his Secret Service detail keeps a defib on standby. It was good to see him and that he's keeping his diet in check, though he should call more often.