Unless you're press or a booth worker, major industry trade shows can be educational, enlightening, relaxing... dare we say even fun events that actually don't fill you with dread at their mere mention. Of course, the trade-off is that you (or your employer, if you're lucky) are then responsible for fronting the hundreds, sometimes thousands of dollars that organizations command for passes to those events. So what do you get in return apart from a few days of schmoozing with some of the most important people in your line of work and the opportunity to play with cool stuff and steal as many promotional pens and USB sticks as you possibly can? In the case of GDC this March, attendees who sign up for either the Mobile / Handheld Summit, the iPhone Summit, or the Independent Games Summit will be gifted with their choice of a Droid or Nexus One, representing the hottest, latest Android gear from Motorola and HTC, respectively -- potentially prime targets for the yet-to-be-tapped 3D gaming market on the platform. With Palm onsite, it should make for some interesting dynamics -- but then again, they're giving these things to people at an event called the "iPhone Summit," for crying out loud.

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Smartphones such as Android™ devices have created many new opportunities for game developers. To help developers get started and catch the Android wave, Google™ and The Game Developers Conference are working together to provide complimentary Android phones to qualifying mobile game developers.

How It Works

To qualify for the free Android phone, you need to:

1. Be a paid, registered attendee to GDC 2010 with either an All Access or Summits and Tutorials pass. GDC comp attendees, speakers, press, and conference associates are not eligible to receive a device.

2. Register by the Early Bird Deadline of February 4th, 2010.

3. Register to attend the GDC Mobile/Handheld Summit, the iPhone Summit, or the Independent Games Summit (accessible by either the GDC All Access or Summits and Tutorials Pass).

4. Check the opt-in box to receive a device from Google and GDC during the registration process. Existing registrants may elect to return to your registration profile and update your opt-in selection.

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Phone usersAttendees who meet the qualifications listed above will receive either a Verizon™ Droid™ by Motorola™ or a Nexus One™ at the conference based on random distribution. Qualified attendees will receive a confirmation letter via the email address provided during registration after February 8, 2010.

To receive the complimentary device, please visit the Moscone Center North Hall on either March 9 or March 10 in the upper lobby. Exact distribution times will be mentioned in your confirmation letter. You must present onsite:

1. Your GDC badge
2. Valid form of identification (e.g. valid license, passport)
3. Your confirmation letter

No exceptions will be made for the three above criteria. Confirmation letter will also provide additional instructions for onsite pickup. You may be asked to take a short 10-15 question survey, post-GDC.

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