GDC, DICE Consider Invite-Only Press Access

Organizers of both the Game Developers Conference [part of CMP, as is Gamasutra] and DICE trade events have indicated that next year’s shows will likely move to an invite-only model for press access, as concerns are raised about the number of press attending and the diluting of each event’s original purpose. In an interview with game weblog Kotaku, GDC director Jamil Moledina commented: "We don't have it nailed down, but we are looking at moving to an invite model for press access at GDC". "It's meant to be a networking event for people who make games, but more and more we are seeing a lot of individuals who are obtaining press credentials who aren't full-time press. It's kind of open to being spoofed, in a way," he said. Moledina also indicated he was concerned about publishers using the show merely to unveil or demonstrate new products, saying: "I am concerned that if we don't focus on what makes GDC work, we will face some complications down the road.” The same article also quotes Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences president Joseph Olin, who indicates that the DICE (Design, Innovate, Communicate, Entertain) summit may take a similar position next year. "The academy's role, first and foremost, is to make sure the academy members are comfortable and that the role of the media is to be there to watch and not participate," said Olin. "The opportunity to be among so many high-profile signature members of the game-making community is that it creates this opportunity to be, 'There's so and so, I need to go talk to him'," Olin said. "Some of our high profile members said they felt uncomfortable.”