Quick Note

So, last day… I would update you guys more as to what I’ve been up too and everything, unfortunately we have to check out soon as I’m not sure when I’ll next have access to the internet. Catching a flight this evening around 5, and going to wind up back in the UK about 8 in the morning Sunday.

Things to ponder whilst you wait:

• Steak Gorgonzola is amazing.
• Baileys Coffee in a wine glass, with a dessert spoon, is also amazing.
• Waging a stealth war against the waiters is priceless.
• Vickie Natale is a bit of alright.
• Oh yeah, I saw some videogames didn’t I? Yeah, they were ok too I guess…

 

Long day is (was) Long

Well, this post was supposed to be done and up last night, but I ran out of time. I’d finish it now… but I’m hung over, slightly, and there’s free breakfast downstairs.

Quick update though: Yesterday was long, but good. Saw 11 titles from Paradox, and I’ve got a nother 4 or 5 left to see today. It’s going to be a good year for those guys I think, especially with their new online portal Paradox Connect driving new IP’s and franchises (and some old ones for them). I’ll post a proper round-up soon.

Last night was also very fun, we went to a local bar, took it over, and pretty much just hung out and chatted all night. I thought about trying to hit on one of the female developers, but every time I looked over they were just surrounded by guys who apparently had the same idea.

There’s not a company quite like Paradox – on the one hand they’re a videogames publisher, and I think on some levels all videogames publishers act the same way due to the fact that they have the same goals. But Paradox is definitely one of the more open and friendly publishers you will ever come across. CEO Fredrik Wester is also a legend, and it’s always a pleasure waiting to hear what he’ll say next.

Until next time.

I’ve never been this far away from home…

… which is a lie, actually. I’ve been to America twice before in my life – once to Los Angeles and Las Vegas, and once to Indiana, both of which are ‘further’ away from home than New York. I just wanted to use that Kaiser Chief song for a title. Still, I almost don’t count my previous two trips to the US. In Indiana I was just visiting family, and the California trip I was like, 12? 13? Couldn’t really enjoy the finer points of the place, so this marks my first trip to America as an adult.

I’m here for the next few days to see Paradox Interactive, a Swedish-based videogames publisher who specialise in niche PC titles, mainly strategy. They’re holding their annual conference, and as a change of venue from Stockholm they decided to go to New York instead – result! Had to get an early flight from London Heathrow to Dublin, and then from there to New York so I’ve been traveling/in transit for most of the day.

Almost ended before it started mind… we traveled in a group, and one of our number lost his boarding pass and the muppets at Heathrow kept sending him here there and everywhere. Ended up him and the PR guy in charge not getting on the flight and having to wait for the second one, whilst the rest of us went on ahead. I also had this kid behind me on the plane to New York who I actually wanted to punch in the face, he was so bratty. The fact that he had an American accent just made it even worse!

Anyway… not sure how much you’ll see me over the next couple of days. I’ve got to actually cover the event and write up content for Strategy Informer, as well as socialise and generally have fun. Hopefully I’ll have some interesting stories to tell when I get back.

Oh, and seriously: BEST. HOTEL ROOM. EVER. I mean this place even has a sofa!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Until next time.

Coming to you live from…

… my new laptop!

It arrived on Friday morning, and I spent most of the day fiddling with it and getting it set up. It’s pretty sweet, I have to say. Not the colour I would have chosen, and the lack of a removable battery means that when the current one inevitably wears out, getting a replacement is going to be a bit of a pain. One of the reasons my old one lasted so long was because I was able to replace the battery relatively easily, even with the cost.

The real test is going to be this coming week though. Got a very active time ahead of me, so apologies if not many blogs actually go up, I’ll try and keep up. It’s much lighter than my old laptop though, so carrying it around is going to be easier – I’ve got two events coming up on Monday and Tuesday, so I’ll test out how good it is being carried around then.

On Wednesday morning, I go to New York! Very excited about this trip – never been there before and it’s going to see a publisher who’s games I like, so all in all not a bad way to start the year off. Paradox Interactive is a company that hails from Sweden, and primarily deals with niche PC titles, although they’re starting to experiment in more the console space. They’re mainly known for their more hardcore strategy titles, like Europa Universalis, Victoria and Hearts of Iron.

Just a short one today, mainly just testing what it’s like to type from here (not bad, considering). Going to be a very busy week I think!

Until next time.