Are You a Gamer?

Then you won’t want to miss the World Cyber Games this October.

On October 7, 2004, in San Francisco, PC and video game gurus will share their visions for the future at the World Cyber Games 2004 Games Conference. "What are the WCG?" you ask. According to a press release that mysteriously appeared in my e-mail box, it is "a global game culture festival that was founded in 2000 to promote global harmony through e-sports. The event started in 2000, and has been running annually ever since (this will be the fourth year)." The 2004 Games in San Francisco will run for 5 days from October 6 through October 10. For more information about the conference or to register your participation, go to www.worldcybergames.com/conference/.

San Francisco is a fun place to visit, even if it didn’t host the WCG. Here are some suggestions for what else to see while there:

  • Alcatraz — once a prison, now a tourist attraction. And, also, the site of "The Rock", a fun action flick starring Sean Connery and Nicolas Cage.
  • Pier 39 — you haven’t visited San Francisco unless you’ve visited Pier 39. Find a place where they serve clam chowder in a sourdough bowl — its a meal you’ll not soon forget.
  • Ghirardelli Square — nearby Pier 39 (walking distance) is Ghirardelli Square. Stop by the Ghirardelli Ice Cream shop. They serve the best sundaes I’ve ever had.
  • Chinatown — if you get a chance, catch a cable car to Chinatown, where you can find great Chinese food and some excellent shopping.
  • Golden Gate Park — if you’re into art, science or gardens, then Golden Gate Park is the place to visit. It is home to the California Academy of Sciences, several flower gardens, the M.H. de Young Museum, Strybing Arboretum and plenty of pathways to walk along and enjoy a rare sunny, wind-free, summer day.
  • San Francisco Zoo — being a lover of zoological gardens, I can’t leave without recommending one of my favorites. It has undergone quite a bit of renovations since my first visit when I was a single-digit age, and I much approve of the reduced "cages" and increased habit-based exhibits.

Are you a female who is interested in gaming?

Check out WomenGamers.com. If you are interested in a career in the gaming industry, they offer, in conjunction with Southern Methodist University, a scholarship for women to pursue game development careers. You can read more about the need for women in the gaming industry here.