IGC provides connections and content for programmers, artists and indie entrepreneurs. Speakers include Melv May on 2D game design, Ill Clan on machinima, John Welsh and Dave Nixon on the casual gaming industry, Thomas Buscaglia on legal issues, Ageia on the future of game physics, Ryan Gordon on Mac OS X game development, Microsoft on Xbox development and many more industry veterans.

IGC 2005 presents a great platform for the independent game development community to show off their creations, while learning about next-generation technologies and helpful topics for game developers spread out over five different break-out tracks. The break-out tracks cover topics such as animation and lighting for artists, marketing and legal issues for the business side of gaming, and development techniques from seasoned game programmers.

GarageGames has been hosting IGC in a response to the recognition that the Game Developers Conference is too big and too expensive for many people. "Game Developers want to get back to their roots of talking about game development," said Jeff Tunnell, GarageGames Founder, "Since the beginning, IGC has always been about meeting the needs of the small, self-funded indie game developer."

Early registration is online and costs $195 for a three-day pass, including sessions, t-shirt, food, LAN parties and beverage of choice ("beer") for those registering before September 16th. Space is limited, so reservations will be on a first-come, first-serve basis. Registrations after September 16th will be $250.

More information is available at www.indiegamescon.com.