So this weekend was SXSW here in Austin (a huge music/movie/interactive festival) and as part of my job, I was able to attend as we were demo-ing our newest game. I also found out that a game I had backed on Kickstarter, Shadowrun Returns, would be making its first live showing. On top of that, Jordan Weisman, the creator of the Shadowrun universe, was hosting it along with the games producer, Mitch Gitelman. Being the huge Shadowrun fan boy I am, I took my nicest rulebook and got Weisman to sign it for me. During the demo, the pair actually turned to the crowd for direction on how we wanted to play through the demo. While it was the same level shown in their alpha gameplay video (http://youtu.be/9MiMjQwd2VE), the crowd made some distinct choices to see how the game would react. Since they took questions through out the panel, and we managed to dig alot of details out of the crowd, including inventory management, karma, and alot about the editor. These guys are really driven to recreate the pen and paper experience in this game and are almost more focused on the games editor than the game itself. It was one of the best panels I have been to. Additionally, I was able to speak with both of them a bit before and at length after the panel and they were actually super approachable and really glad to interact with their fans. I also talked with the studio's social media manager, who was there and we also had the chance to talk. All in all, it was a great chance to meet some great game developers that have hugely influenced me and forge a personal connection with them. Defiantly the high light of the con for me.