Consider this a rant of sorts. Don't worry, I won't call anyone out, curse like a sailor or break any forum rules. I'm just a professional, born and raised in the city that allegedly never sleeps, yet it seems that the one industry (that's made more money that the music industry and film/tv industry combined) that should flourish and thrive in the "best city in the world" is no where close to the likes of our west coast brothers.

It's a shame actually. Thing is, if we were to stand toe to toe with LA in a match based on creativity alone, we'd definitely go the distance. Why then are there just a sprinkle of game companies here, with maybe 2 or 3 of them being major players? Our city is teeming with raw talent as well as business and tech savvy types. They don't say if you can make it here, you can make it anywhere for nothing.

And that's just the thing. I'm married with a 6 month old and relocation is the only option offered to me, which I can't fully accept. I get calls back from companies in San Diego and even Reno faster than I get an automated reply from a company here claiming they received my submission and they'd keep my resume on file.

Ultimately, I'm not here just to rant, because I personally hate when people complain and do nothing about it. I'm writing/reaching out to you all who even care to have read this far to speak up and speak out. Let's talk about it. Educate me. Maybe I'm misinformed. Either way, I think we can do much better. The game industry, though it's thriving now, needs us and we need it!

Some of the best students, teachers, gamers and creatives reside right here in our city. It's high time we start making some huge waves. I'm not "hating" on my west coast brothers/sisters in the "game." I know we aren't "hollywood" not even by a longshot and we aren't as laid back as they are in California. That doesn't mean we can't create more jobs, internships and opportunities here. There's no reason why we can't host a GDC or start-up our own right here in the Big Apple.

Talk to me, y'all. Am I the only one who feels this way???

You are not the only one who feels this way. There are others here in NYC who are on track to graduate in the near future but see little to no opportunity.

In addition to that, with the closing of Kaos, who's next? Really the only companies left are either casual / web developers or indies. Now, this is not a bad thing, merely a challenge for us natives to progress the industry as well as ourselves on all fronts, casual and indie alike. The hardest part is bringing everyone together under one roof. Drink nights are great, however you can't please all the people all the time.

We could talk about hosting a GDC or creating start-ups all day long, however, not many of have the financial clout to do either of these. In addition to that, who can we tap to help with these resource issues? I am only one man and cannot be everywhere at once. With a full-time job, full-time school and a wife to tend to, my time is limited as well...

TrackStaar, your passion is shared throughout the region and you NEED to come out to a drink night so we can discuss this in person as much debate on the threads gets lost in the translation.

After the closing of Kaos (One of the last AAA studios here in NYC) I see a mass exodus in the future and would like nothing more to turn it around to make NYC shine!

Hit me up!

Yes, some feedback! So glad to hear I'm not alone. Great to meet you, brother-in-arms! I unfortunately can't make it out to drink nights on friday evenings. Any other night though, and I'm game! It would be great to meet you and all the other great minds in NY who would rather play than work for a living.

I'm glad we're speaking because that's how the best revolutions start. We may not have the funds for hosting a GDC or similar, but I'm sure you and I aren't the only ones who feel passionate about slowly but surely putting NYC back on the map where we belong.

Ultimately, just talking about it is a great start because I'm sure if we get a collective together (with the limited time that we have as students, husbands or fathers) we can really build a buzz and someone has to know someone that knows someone who can help. :-)

I appreciate you taking the time to write back. Having conversations truly change things and I hope we can have more of these and inspire others to join in!

I wish Nyc would become a bigger player in the game industry. There is barely a job out here for artists so the west coast is a vacuum. I think part of if is that even if you go indie and you take out a chunk of your life to develop something there is no promise for return on it. As for attracting bigger companies... the talent pool is larger on the west coast right now. Academically, the game industry is getting stronger so eventually that will do something. However... that something might be more along the lines of the big money makers (Gamification and social games). As an artist, I have less interest in that. Anyway, Maybe I'm wrong- someone tell me I'm wrong. I should go out to those drink nights. I usually don't because I don't really drink ^_^