This week, many of the people who design, publish, teach, and promote video games are meeting in San Francisco for the annual Game Developers Conference. While it lacks the glitz and bombast of the better known Electronic Entertainment Expo, the conference is no less of an important meeting for the video game industry. Here, many industry veterans and newcomers mingle, sharing their ideas and experiences. It's part video game designer boot camp and part class reunion.

I chatted with Polygon's Megan Farokhmanesh about GDC's history and what makes the event so vital.