GDC 08: Sessler, Straight Allies Grace GGP Gathering
Wednesday night's Gay Game Industry Professionals and GayGamer.net gathering had quite the turnout - not just of gay folk on all sides of the games industry, but from some heterosexual industry luminaries as well. (And their gay friends!) A very enthusiastic Adam Sessler was there (pictures lie), and went out of his way to let me know how important it was to him that we, as a community of gamers and game-makers, eliminate the kinds of hate speech and homophobic attitudes that litter the gaming seas - not only was I surprised by his message, but by the intensity of his beliefs. We've got a great ally in the X-Play host, who brought much of his crew, including his awesomely supportive Executive Producer, Wade Beckett.
Also present was out and foxy former Spore programmer Brian Sharp - who holds the distinction of being referred to, several times, as one of the five most brilliant game programmers alive, as well as allies from Game Recruiter, PC Gamer and Incubate Group.
I sensed that this year, the GayGamer.net and GGP gathering was becoming more of an affair, and I wouldn't be at all surprised if next year's event turns out to be more significant by an order of magnitude - including sponsor support and a larger draw. Baby steps, of course, but what rarefied company in which to take those steps - big thanks to event organizer and überpublicist Brian Rubin!
(NB: pic hounds - out of respect for the GGP's moderate privacy requests, we didn't go crazy with the cameras. Look for pictures of another GayGamer GDC event after the weekend!)
tiny dancer
Posted to GDC, Hot Stuff, Miscellany on 22 February 2008
· Comments (15)
Other stuff like this: adam sessler, brian sharp, gay game industry professionals, gdc 2008, ggp, ggp gathering, x-play
Name: Dave
I always sensed Adam would be a supporter. He plays a little goofy on XPlay but I felt he is probably a very smart, savy guy. Now I have even more reasons to respect him and his show.
omg! do i spy a GGN tee? i love the Sess by the way. he and morgan give me the will to go and be a bitter pill every day to those who so obviously deserve it. mainly DBZ fans.
That actually makes me feel better about being an X-Play fan :D
I met adam sessler during the FFXI ps2 release party at the metreon. I was dressed as squall.
He asked me a question on camera:
"Who would win in a fight: kefka, or sephiroth?"
I gave the correc-err, unpopular answer, and said Kefka. He appeared upset with me. What a douchebag.
(I got on TV however! Next to man-yuna. he smelled like pee. :( )
I SO want a GGN T-shirt.
Why doesn't anyone want my money in exchange for one??
ever since AS went off on Fox News for their "coverage" of Mass Effect, i've had a new found respect for that guy.
it was great seeing all of you at the get together, and meeting friends and enemies *wink* and finding out that in the end, we're all pretty much the same on the inside - squishy meat sacks with a penchant for joysticks...
who knows - if this thing keeps getting bigger and bigger, we may need our own PAX!
;)
I kinda knew that Adam was a supporter ever since they did a segment on X-Play a couple years back on gay characters in video games. :]
lol is that adams normal face? he seems very lively!!! did he actually say all that ? its kinda hard to believe because of the writing staff on xplay seeing as the gay pirate is aquaman
That's cool stuff! Ya know, Adam has always come off as a liberal, welcoming person in general. When you get the few chances to hear him off script at G4's various conference coverage or when they have him on Attack Of The Show, he comes off as smart and warm... that may be weird to say about a guy who's persona is that of an aloof, sarcastic critic, but that's how he comes off nontheless.
Yeah Adam is great! I met him at this meet and greet in Pasadena a few years ago and brought up the fact that he was always making Thom Of Finland jokes on the show and he told me all about how he did his college thesis on him! I was totally blown away.
This was so my secret highlight of the conference. Shh! Don't tell the people that sent me.
And seriously, OMG Tiny... that picture is legendary!
I wish I could have been there! Glad to hear it was such a good time for everyone!
AWESOME! Adam Sessler rocks. (And I always found him kinda cute ^_^) Thanks Adam! We love you! :)
thank you Tabris!!! I am so glad I am not the only one who thought that Adam was kind of cute. I love it when he talks passionately about games and his view on them. I remember when he did a review on Extended Play (wow that was a long time ago. Kate Batello was still co-hosting) about this military game and how it made light of real life military struggles. He tore the game to shreds and blasted it for not treating the subject with respect, my heart swelled a little. What i want to know is about that Thom of Finland thesis!!
Wow. This is great news. I always liked Sessler and his long involvement in the industry, but i never even knew about this.
BTW. You're pretty damn cute Tiny. ;)