Demand Satisfaction!

It was a week of mischief and mayhem as Team Satisfaction descended on an unsuspecting Austin for the ballyhooed South by Southwest Interactive conference. It was one part coming out party for Satisfaction, and two parts rest & recuperation after a blistering development schedule that brought us our private alpha release.

One of the highlights for us was the 8-Bit Party we threw with our pals at 30Boxes and Rocketboom. It was the first big party we’ve thrown since our celebrated (and infamous) Valleyschwag Hoedown last July, and expectations were high.

Throwing outdoor parties is always a bit risky, especially in early March, and so I confess we were nervous. 8-Bit was set at Red’s Scoot Inn, centered on a massive backyard area with fire pit, dance area and the vintage video games we had carted in. It turned out we had a lot to worry about: it rained cats and dogs almost the entire week. But for our event, the skies parted for a balmy evening. The only condensation was the sweat dripping off of dancers’ gyrating bodies.

The theme was 8-Bit, which meant Pac Man, Asteroids, Light Saber Limbo Dancing, and a Human League/Flock of Seagulls dance-a-thon. Satisfaction was in the house, which meant an underwear giveaway–hot little numbers with “Demand Satisfaction” plastered on the rear. Lest you doubt the veracity of this report, here are some photo highlights from the night, with pull quotes from bloggers who stopped by:

The parties and social events were (as always) great. SXSW is the social event of the geek year. 8-Bit was insanely good, an 80s flashback with a playlist straight from my prom. (Adaptive Path)

“This was the highlight of the evening. After walking a mile or so to east Austin, literally on the other side of the tracks, we arrived at the Scoot Shack - a bar that I can only describe as some sort of field surrounded by chain link fence, with a fire pit, video games, live dj’s, and a bar. It turned out to be a pretty fun venue - lots of interesting folks, music, and drinks. I felt I was finally getting a taste of the real Texas.” (echoditto)

The 8-bit party was really fun last night, and damn what a difference a year makes in the number of people you know. It was a bit out of hand. People everywhere you look. It really is geek spring break. (Billetdoux)

Finally, one poor sod details how he and his friends “liberated” mixed drinks from the designated (and fenced in) hard liquor zone. It reads like the screenplay to the Great Escape, and comes complete with an illustrated map of the scene of the getaway.

Yes, a good time was had by all. Thanks to the many folks who made the trek, helping us throw an event to remember.