Because reading about video game theory is something Rod Serling would approve of.
GDC proved that no games convention is safe from overt advertising and swag bags from your favorite game making company of choice. Luckily for me, I didn't go to the germ-infested alcohol pit that is supposed to be aimed at the very brilliant minds I write so furiously about.
Instead, I weeded through several notes on panels and Q & As with ornery big wigs [Iwata I'm looking at you] to bring you two entries of note.
The first comes from the very knowledgeable Chris Hecker. In his post he demands more attempts at mimicking human interaction. Why? Well, why not? We work so hard in replicating head explosions and stuffing these large scale adventures with orcs and mages. It's no wonder there is a feeling of disconnect. Why not make more attempts at...something more? Why not attempt to execute something a human would actually do, feel, and experience?
[note: turn down your speakers around the 2 minute mark]
Chris also comments on Jane McGonigal's "Gamification of Life" panel by using a comparison of television shows "Seinfeld" and "Friends." So yea, if you like cool talks about cool things, you should read and watch.
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Now the next article is from a personal hero of mine, Brian Moriarty. He's been developing games since I've been in diapers! But he also had some pretty apt words for the games industry, Roger Ebert -- and how the two view each other. I've already typed too much, here's Moriarty's brilliant apologia here.