On June 26th the UTVGA attended the annual picnic held by the Austin chapter of IGDA at Richard Garriott’s Castleton Village in northwest Austin. The weather was hot and humid but we were graciously allowed to share a shaded tent with VGA superstar Bill Bottorff and his Austin Business Computers. We met and talked to many industry players about archives and videogame preservation, and it was encouraging to know that many of these professionals share a passion for saving the history of their medium. The event also fostered a connection with the Austin Museum of Digital Art, a great organization whose mission will no doubt invite some of the same challenges we face here at the Videogame Archive.
But this picnic was not just a place to network. There was plenty of fun to be had, with videogame contests, boat rides on Lake Austin, and attendees getting “zombie-fied” by Scare for a Cure. We also enjoyed great BBQ from the Salt Lick and dessert from Amy’s Ice Cream while listening to music from Captains of the Chess Team, a band fronted by VGA donor George Sanger. Overall a great event for a great videogame community. If you attended the IGDA picnic and wish to know more about the UTVGA, visit our new site or contact us to continue the conversation.
