On setup of GDC the long elevator trip down to the tradeshow hall isn’t quite so bad, but come Day 1 (or even worse, the last day which hosts discounted student rates) the stench of nerds will soon exceed Star Trek Conference status. I think that might raise the US Dept. of Homeland Security Terror Alert to “Geek”. Nobody wants that.

Pallets and crates line the aisles as people try to setup booths under the watchful eye of the mafia-esque unions. Think you can carry a box from one end of your booth to the other without two union guys informing you that you need to hire a toothless man named Jerry $70/hour to do that? Guess again. And on President’s Day it’s time and a half. Yes, it’s that bad.

So far the Sony booth is the most impressive LOOKING gaming booth, but there just doesn’t seem to be a ton of gaming going on-maybe a Sony admission that they can make stuff look sweet, but, uhh…where are the games? Still “coming”?. They have an enormous 20×40 sized display, along with a two story booth that greets you as soon as you walk in the main entrance.

Nintendo is just off to the left, already with DS kiosks setup (all pink so far-this is San Francisco, but come on Nintendo, pink? Where’s the Cobalt Blue?) Super Smash Brothers is already promised next to the empty kiosks, it looks like this will be the main focus of their booth. 3rd party support, anyone?

Where’s Microsoft? Well, like last year they have the main entrance area of the Mocones Center’s North Hall. XNA stations are everywhere, with a few sneak peaks and presumeably Arcade games, and soon to be released “casual” games. Mass Effect is running at one station. They have a full bar and are at the top elevators and stairs. No red lights blinking, let’s hope it stays that way till Friday. Falcoln chip anyone?

My small highlight of the show would be watching Morgan Webb interviewing somebody inside their broadcast corner. The girl is looking goood. TV doesn’t do the body justice. Even had a Sessler siting. TV doesn’t do his baldness justice. Nevertheless, they both seem to be quite down to earth and don’t reek of the average Hollywood or gaming media snob-ishness that you see at these shows far too often.

Should be a good show. Hoping to see Peter Molyneux’s session, but duty will call.