I recognized a few names, but I never got a chance to check them in. They either arrived after my shift or never showed at all. With my hopes of talking and drinking with a few gaming journalism luminaries now dashed, I turned my attention to the second-biggest reason everyone attends GDC: exclusive, behind-closed-doors looks at upcoming games. 

Osmos by Hemisphere Games

Osmos caught my eye first. Running on two iPads hooked up to two projection screens, Osmos immediately impressed me with its colorful visuals and unique take on competitive multiplayer (which made its debut at this party -- the campaign released some time ago). The goals vary depending on which mode you pick, but the matches I played simply involved outlasting your opponent as you try to absorb smaller “motes” (denoted in blue) to increase your size. 

Patience is key. If you move too fast, your momentum will likely carry you to your death as bigger red motes absorb you. Call it a fun, frustrating learning curve.

Against the Wall,by Michael Consoli

Puzzle game Against the Wall has the player vertically scale a seemingly endless world in order to head back to their home village. Players use a wand to manipulate blocks of varying sizes, but without careful consideration, it’s easy to fall to your doom with just one misstep.

Ever had that sinking, stomach-tightening feeling when playing a game that simulates heights so well? Against the Wall does that. The constant paranoia of falling provides an adrenaline rush as you try to scale the surface as quickly and safely as you can. Try the playable alpha build for yourself.

Hokra by Ramiro Corbetta

Simply described as a "digital sports game for four people," Hokra comes off as surprisingly tense and thrilling despite the short matches. Two teams fight to keep a ball in their own colored square. Players without a ball in hand can stun opponents with the sprint button, prompting a lot of thrilling turnovers. Games frequently end in five minutes with a thin margin of victory.

Every game I saw or played ended either with people screaming from a last-minute victory or groaning at a horrible defeat. Hokra reduces the entire sports genre down to the final seconds before a countdown buzzer, wrapped up in a cool, minimalist package. My favorite game of the night. 

Lexcavator by Adam Parrish

Lexcavator takes your mother's Tetris and adds a Scrabble-like twist. You clear letter tiles by quickly spelling out words as you find them, which allows you to delve further down its vertical-scrolling world. I played it on Arcade mode and managed to find a few words before my indecision doomed me at the last minute. It’s exciting and hectic...Words With Friends as an action game.

Bit Pilot by Zach Gage

Combining quick, rewarding gameplay and an awesome 8-bit soundtrack, Bit Pilot has one simple goal: survive. Between meteors, asteroids, and laser beams, the game throws everything at you but the kitchen sink. I failed horribly the first few times I tried it, but like Canabalt and Jetpack Joyride, it’s a game you keep playing in hopes of beating your last score. You can find it available for download right now at your nearest app store.

I left the party shortly after midnight, smugly satisfied with the overall experience. I didn't get into GDC, but I did experience a small sliver of it. I often see journalists describe this show as a breath of fresh air. It's not the madhouse of an Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3). Instead, it gives them a chance to connect with old friends and new people alike, where everyone shares a common passion.

And this year, if only in a small way, I got to share in it, too.