Game Developer Carousel
No cost. No catch. Everyone can ride.
During the Game Developer Conference, take a ride on a carousel for a moment of whimsy.
Located next door to Moscone Center South building.
Location:
The LeRoy King Carousel is located next door to Moscone South on the corner of Howard Street & 4th Street.
221 4th St, San Francisco, CA 94103
Stairless access is located:
- On the corner of 4th and Howard Streets, right of the steps.
- On Howard Street next to Moscone South.
- Via the skyway connecting to the Yerba Buena Main Lawn & The Metreon.
Questions:
Who's doing this?
I'm John "Seg" Seggerson, a former game developer and now an experience designer for immersive / themed entertainment. With a donation to the The Children's Creativity Museum, I am sponsoring the operation of the LeRoy King Carousel for the day.
In my gaming career, I worked with 13 different franchises including Sam & Max, Monkey Island, the Walking Dead, and Graham Annable's Grickle. After moving away from the game industry, I started a career in experience design and immersive theatre.
I've worked with The Rathskeller Club, an immersive theatre venue located in the Mission district of San Francisco. Putting on numerous immersive theatre shows and experiences, I developed a process for safety and consent in immersive productions.
In 2017 I co-produced a GDC party at the Rathskeller to introduce immersive productions to the video game industry. If you were invited to an undisclosed place in the Mission district of San Francisco and went down a wooden slide, then you know what I'm talking about. Since the slide is no more, this year's event is scaled down but in a much more accessible and public venue.
I'll be there the whole day! Likely helping out with line management as I can't help but be a house manager and work line operations. I'll certainly be free to chat about immersive experiences, themed entertainment, and some free consulting.
Why are you doing this, Seg?
Three reasons, in order of importance:
- Whimsy
To give everyone a moment of pure, uncomplicated fun.
Having seen many friends deal with the layoffs recently and my own personal experience of the game industry, adding some whimsy to an otherwise abysmal time is desperately needed. This will not solve the problems plaguing the video game industry. But taking some time to remember joy and happiness will remind you that radical kindness can be a path forward and is in fact strategic and necessary.
- Visibility for the LeRoy King Carousel
Depending on the response this year, perhaps we can make this a new tradition? Get in touch if you wish to help sponsor next year.
- Consulting in Immersive and Themed Entertainment for the Video Games Industry
Ok, a little self-promotion, as a treat:
Are you a major video game IP holder and plan to license to a theme park or other immersive experience? I can assist in making sure your IP makes a great impression. See me at the carousel or get in touch.
Who operates the carousel?
The carousel is now operated by Yerba Buena Gardens Conservancy. The Children's Creativity Museum is currently subcontracted to provide ride operators.
How accessible is the carousel?
Everyone deserves to ride with dignity.
Guests may be any height to ride. Any person under the height requirement of 42 inches (106.5 cm) requires an adult chaperone.
Animals have a weight limit of 250 lbs. "Jumping" horses require riders to hoist themselves up.
Chariots (fixed bench seats) are available and require a step up to access. Smaller chariots have a narrow openings to seating. Larger chariots have wider openings to seating, but riders must navigate past stationary animals on the outer ring.
The carousel is capable of securing one mobility device per ride using an assistance ramp. This spot is adjacent to one of the smaller chariots and several "jumping" horses. Mobility devices would be on the ramp, at an incline.
Consult with the carousel operator regarding your needs before you ride.
May I ride more than once?
Of course you can! You will need to exit and reenter the queue.
What's the carousel's history?
The LeRoy King is a carousel by Charles I.D. Looff and is one of over 40 carousels he created in his lifetime. He is credited for created the Coney Island style of carousel, characterized as flamboyant horses with jewels and gold or silver leaf.
First commissioned to be installed at Steeplechase Park in San Francisco, the 1906 earthquake disrupted the planned installation. Instead, Looff later installed the carousel an amusement park he built in Seattle: Luna Park. After a fire occurred at Luna Park in 1913, the undamaged carousel was relocated to San Francisco's Playland at the Beach.
When Playland closed in 1972, it was sold to carousel collector and restorer Marianne Stevens. After storing the carousel in New Mexico for a few years, the carousel would operate from 1982 to 1998 under lease to Shoreline Village in Long Beach, CA.
In 1994, the City of San Francisco purchased the carousel and in the summer of 1998 returned to San Francisco at it's current location at Yerba Buena Gardens. In 2014, the carousel was refurbished and dedicated to San Francisco Redevelopment commissioner LeRoy King.
How do I contact you, Seg?
Reach me via email. At the risk of getting this email picked up by spam bots: seg [at] the domain of this website
Who did that logo?
Starr Noir Design. You can contact Starr on Gmail at StarrNoirDesign
Other Important Notices:
This project is not affiliated with any convention, conference, it's holding companies, etc. It's just some dude paying for free rides at a carousel and then made a website to tell people about it.