What is it?
Unparty at GDC is a quiet networking event at the Game Developers Conference where with no loud music, drinking is optional, and conversation is king/queen/non-monarchistic-high-ranking-official.
Post-mortem (2016-2019)
We have a deep post-mortem of the first 4 years of Unparty! Check it out here:
https://medium.com/@CharlesHHuang/unparty-at-gdc-b48b442e5600
2019
In 2019, Unparty was held at a brick and timber space in San Francisco’s SOMA district.
We had over 450 attendees out of over 2300 RSVPs and a line going around the block (video here: https://twitter.com/_mlktea/status/1108920516306362369).
We kept the shush mechanic, and formally introduced the “Video Garden” featuring various guests and mentioning our sponsors.
Costs were covered by cash donations, digital donations, and sponsors.
Photos here: https://twitter.com/TheSheepsMeow/status/1108931914587500544
Sponsors
- GLITCH
- Sheep’s Meow
- Babycastles
- Gingerbred
- Matthew Kagle of Vacuum Genesis
- Raindrop Games
Video Garden Featured Guests
- Pet the Pup at the Party be Will Herring
- Interruption Junction by Squinky
- Small Talk by Pale Room Games
- As it is by Egghouse
Full Video Garden
Video here: https://youtu.be/5W883Z5-LVg
2018
In 2018, it was held at Sketchpad Gallery and had 250 attendees. We introduced a shush mechanic. It also featured a pizza sponsorship by Shell in the Pit Audio and a Zine Library (and Digital Librarian) from Babycastles. Its venue costs were covered by donations from guests.
The day after Mahli-Ann Butt interviewed me the event was briefly mentioned in Unwinnable’s piece on drinking culture: https://unwinnable.com/2018/04/18/alcohol-and-alienation-in-moscone/
2017
In 2017, the Palace Hotel lobby was rented, so through a series of escalating events, I rented the game lounge at Hotel Zeppelin (shuffleboard and skeeball!). It was funded through donations by guests and organizers (especially Sam!).
Facebook Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/1321178804592450/
#GDCUnparty going strong! We're here til 11 PM! pic.twitter.com/iSgBimTVMp
— Mr. Rogers Superfan (@CharlesHHuang) March 3, 2017
2016 (The Beginning)
It started in 2016 from people commiserating on the GDC Mobile App about having a low key event without loud music or drinking. I started a hashtag, made a Facebook event, suggested a few cafes, but overall it was crowd sourced spontaneously. We stayed in the lobby at the Palace Hotel.
Facebook Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/235460373471847/
Drinks are free at #GDCUnparty , live music is gentle piano playing Zelda. People are still going strong! pic.twitter.com/R9Dmh0fPT0
— Mr. Rogers Superfan (@CharlesHHuang) March 18, 2016