July 16, 2008
Summer Picnic 2008 Wrapup
Thank you all for making our picnic the most successful event in the history of Austin's game development community. We had over 750 guests, this year! Amongst all of the people, food, festivities, and drink, our 2008 picnic was bigger and better than ever.
Continue reading "Summer Picnic 2008 Wrapup"
Posted by KainShin at 08:46 AM
July 07, 2008
IGDA-Austin Summer Picnic - JULY 12th!!!
Update: We're NOT canceled, we're just SOLD OUT! We're up to maximum capacity now. To those that have RSVP'd, be on the lookout for final directions and last minute details.
To those that haven't RSVP'd, we will be letting people in the gate after 8pm if there is room at the party!
See you all there!
Continue reading "IGDA-Austin Summer Picnic - JULY 12th!!!"
Posted by MarkRichards at 12:15 PM
July 01, 2008
IGDA Summer Picnic Sponsorships
The annual IGDA summer picnic is fast approaching. On July 12 hundreds of game developers and their families flock to Richard Garriott's lakeside property for a day of fun and sun. We'd like to thank the following sponsors:
Continue reading "IGDA Summer Picnic Sponsorships"
Posted by QuocTran at 11:41 AM
May 17, 2008
Sketch Contest at Creekside Lounge on June 2nd at 8pm
It's on a Monday.
606 E 7th St
Austin, TX 78701
http://www.thecreeksidelounge.com
Music and general aural entertainment will be provided by Audio Engineers from Okratron 5000 and the Mysterious H, a.k.a. the Top Hat and Monocle Set, a.k.a. Class President and THE MysteriousH. They make music, they play music, and they put it all together inside your video games! ...and they won't be ignored, any longer.
Artists, bring your sketch pad and drawing wares to this event. At exactly 8pm, we will announce a theme. You have until 10pm to draw something along that theme. The best art will be showcased on our website, and the winner will get a worthwhile prize.
Posted by KainShin at 09:03 AM
Call for Summer Picnic Volunteers
IGDA-Austin's Second Annual Summer Picnic at Richard Garriot's Castle Grounds is upon us. BBQ, activities for children and grownups, bands, and spinning fire. Volunteers will get in free. This picnic is going to be bigger and better than last year's picnic by a logarithmic order of magnitude. If you are interested in volunteering, then send a message here about "picnic volunteering", and you will be forwarded to our volunteer coordinator.
Posted by KainShin at 09:01 AM
Call for Audio Mixer Competition Participants
It's a common question: "What can an audio person like me do to get into the industry?"
Well...
Coming down the pipe is a contest for the audio engineers among us who would either like to get more exposure or just have some fun.
Continue reading "Call for Audio Mixer Competition Participants"
Posted by KainShin at 08:55 AM
May 02, 2008
IGDA-Austin Totally Ran Your Company Into the Ground!
Described by one attendee as...
"A tongue-in-cheek presentation about building a successful videogame studio by pointing out how past studios have failed and what can be done to avoid making those same mistakes in the future."
And then the party moved to Opal Divine's afterwards. Austin is officially one step closer to being run into the ground.
Presentation Slides: here
Posted by KainShin at 08:52 PM
April 28, 2008
IGDA-Austin will run your company into the ground
Our first real presentation of 2008 will be a zinger! This next developer-only IGDA-Austin gathering will take place at the JJ Pickle Center.
April 30th, 6pm to 10pm
J.J. Pickle Center*
*J. Neils Thompson Commons Building*
10100 Burnet Road, Bldg 137, Austin, TX 78758
*Lil' Tex Auditorium and the Atrium
http://www.utexas.edu/commons/rooms/commonslayout.html
How to Run Your Company Into the Ground
*Perspectives in Synergistic Paradigms*
Running your company into the ground can be a difficult and daunting process for many, but there is hope in a few success stories that we can all learn from. Whether you are a budding entrepreneur or a grizzled veteran, there will be at least a few takeaways from this presentation to get you well on your way to running your own game development studio beyond the trenches and firmly into the ground with ten times the synergy of your average development paradigm. It's magically scrumalicious!
DISCLAIMER: The material in this presentation is a collection of input from various sources which do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the messengers of this presentation, who like their jobs and appreciate being employed by their current bosses.
Continue reading "IGDA-Austin will run your company into the ground"
Posted by QuocTran at 10:40 PM
April 01, 2008
UPDATE - Digital Media Entrepreneurship Workshop, April 24 – June 12
UPDATE - Only 10 spots left in the Digital Media Entrepreneurship Workshop that runs Thursday afternoons, 4:00 – 6:00 pm, April 24 – June 12. IGDA Austin helps you start your own company. Think of it as a mini-MBA.
Have an itch to start your own game company? Need to learn how to write a business plan? Curious what investors are thinking when you come knocking? This eight-week course answers those questions as it teaches you the basics of starting and growing your own game company. Sponsored by IGDA Austin, the Austin Rice Alliance, Austin Technology Incubator, and Austin Angel Network, this class is a rare opportunity to learn what it takes to launch your company from folks who've done it: CEOs, investors, attorneys, and studio heads.
What: Digital Media Workshop
Where: MCC Building, 3925 West Braker Lane, Austin, TX 78759
When: Thursday's 4:00PM – 6:00PM, April 24 – June 12
Price: $100 – includes all sessions and materials
More info attached. Register online at www.alliance.rice.edu/alliance/Austin.asp
Continue reading "UPDATE - Digital Media Entrepreneurship Workshop, April 24 – June 12"
Posted by AlexMarquez at 11:39 PM
March 12, 2008
IGDA at SXSW Screenburn Arcade was a success!
By Tracie Cook
The IGDA –Austin chapter’s booth was front and center to greet everyone as they entered the arcade! We set Rockband up and watched the attendees get on with them bad selves! We always were a main attraction.
Continue reading "IGDA at SXSW Screenburn Arcade was a success!"
Posted by AlexMarquez at 04:57 PM
November 09, 2007
November Meeting - Your Game Career, from the Beginning Onwards
By: Amy Goldenburg
November's IGDA meeting was a moderated panel discussion about managing your career in gaming. We had an outstanding turn out with a head count of at least 121 people!
Continue reading "November Meeting - Your Game Career, from the Beginning Onwards"
Posted by AlexMarquez at 01:47 AM
October 26, 2007
Breaking In: Your Game Career, from the Beginning Onwards
This event is open to the general public, to anyone who has a desire to get into the growing video game industry here in Austin, TX. So if you have any questions on how to enter the gaming business, join us on Tuesday, November 6, at Midway Austin.
Hosted By: Austin IGDA
Location: Midway Austin
11400 Burnet Road, Building 2 Suite 2110, Austin, TX US
When: Tuesday, November 6, 7:00PM
Agenda:
- 7:00pm - Food, Drinks, and Guitar Hero III on the Dell XPS M1730
- 7:15pm - Dell discussion on the gaming eco system
- 7:30pm - Panel begins
- 8:30pm - Q&A
- 9:00pm - Halo 3 tournament
Continue reading "Breaking In: Your Game Career, from the Beginning Onwards"
Posted by AlexMarquez at 07:32 PM
October 24, 2007
Scrum Best Practices Writeup
IGDA - October 23rd Meeting; Texas State Capitol, Room E2.012
By: Tracie Cook
It was a cold and stormy evening; too stormy for a SCRUM panel discussion some would have said…but they didn't, because it wasn't. It was actually a crisp, cool fall evening; perfect for a SCRUM panel.
Continue reading "Scrum Best Practices Writeup"
Posted by QuocTran at 02:01 PM
October 23, 2007
Scrum Best Practices Event Tonight (Developer Only)
Agenda for tonight's event:
6pm - Informal Discussion
7pm - SCRUM Best Practices
NOTE: This event is for professionals' only.
Driving directions after the cut.
Continue reading "Scrum Best Practices Event Tonight (Developer Only)"
Posted by QuocTran at 02:42 PM
September 27, 2007
Meeting Report: Outsourcing Panel Discussion
by Tracie Cook
On Monday September 24th IGDA-Austin members were welcomed at Retro Studios as it opened its doors to host this month’s professional development panel on Outsourcing Art Development. A full house turned out for the evening of great food, a great panel, and some fun surprises from our sponsor Dell.
Continue reading "Meeting Report: Outsourcing Panel Discussion"
Posted by KainShin at 08:50 PM
August 24, 2007
Guitar Hero II Showdown, September 5th at Creekside Lounge
The Austin Game Developer's Conference hits town from Sept. 5th to the 7th. IGDA-Austin, Dell, and TXMPA welcome visitors and Austin natives alike to the Creekside Lounge for a Guitar Hero II smackdown on the Xbox 360. This is the second annual Guitar Hero competition, hosted once again by the venerable MC Nathan Black. Let the axe flailing begin! For those who weren't there, here's what you missed:
http://www.igda.org/austin/archives/2006/09/meeting_report.html
And yes, there will be a prize for this year's winner!
UPDATE: Pictures of the event are now available.
Continue reading "Guitar Hero II Showdown, September 5th at Creekside Lounge"
Posted by KainShin at 01:28 PM
June 29, 2007
IGDA-Austin Summer Picnic Reports
By all accounts, last Saturday's picnic at Garriott's was a smashing success.
But, don't take our word for it. Read what others are saying!
Continue reading "IGDA-Austin Summer Picnic Reports"
Posted by MarkRichards at 03:46 AM
June 21, 2007
Picnic at Richard's Castle!!!
Hello Game Developers and Friends,
IGDA-Austin invites you to our summer picnic event, taking place on Saturday, June 23rd at Richard Garriott's lakeside property starting at 4pm and going until 9pm. We will have all you can eat barbeque plus vegetarian options from The Salt Lick, drinks from Opal Divine's, and various other activities. This event is made possible by our keystone sponsor for 2007-2008, Dell Computer.
Continue reading "Picnic at Richard's Castle!!!"
Posted by MarkRichards at 07:50 PM
June 06, 2007
ACC Video Games Seminar
Reminder… The next First Wednesday seminar is tonight, June 6, 7pm to 9pm, and features Tamir Nadav, KingsIsle Entertainment, Billy Cain, Critical Mass Interactive, Paul Trowe, SkyZone Entertainment, Spencer Zuzolo, GameCamp!, Jeff Johannigman, People Type Consulting, Gail Papermaster in a panel discussion "Honing your networking skills". ACC's Highland Business Center [map], room 301.0.
Class information after the break!
Continue reading "ACC Video Games Seminar"
Posted by MarkRichards at 01:25 PM
June 04, 2007
Portfolio Show @ Gemini School
Mark your calendars for Thursday, June 14th from 2-8 pm, as we hold
our inaugural Portfolio Show @ Gemini. We'll show our 2007 graduate
portfolios, hold FREE Master Class painting demonstrations and wind
up with a networking Happy Hour. Click below for further details!
Continue reading "Portfolio Show @ Gemini School"
Posted by MarkRichards at 06:47 PM
Game / Music Happy Hour - June 5th
Get your drink on with Austin musicians at IGDA's June 5th Happy Hour, 6:30 - 8:30 PM at the Shoal Creek Saloon. Gamers team up with the Austin Music Foundation to kick off the summer Cajun-style. Mingle with other game folks, meet musicians, chat about ways our industries can collaborate. Cash bar and spicy Cajun cooking available.
This is not a developer-only event. Please feel free to bring along all interested (and interesting) friends!
IGDA-Austin/Austin Music Foundation Happy Hour
Tuesday, June 5
6:30 - 8:30 PM
Shoal Creek Saloon
Creek Side Patio
North Lamar & 9th St
map: http://tinyurl.com/2ta7lt
Posted by MarkRichards at 11:42 AM
May 03, 2007
Recap: IGDA-Austin SXSW Party
By Bryon Lloyd
I don't usually tend to be biased, but the Dorkbot Party, sponsored by IGDA-Austin, Dorkbot, and Make Magazine, at SXSW was the place to be. I mean, come on, anyone can have alcohol, music and food. But we had alcohol, circuit bending techno and robots; it doesn't get any cooler than that.
Continue reading "Recap: IGDA-Austin SXSW Party"
Posted by KainShin at 09:19 AM
April 12, 2007
How To Make Games Fun
The most recent Austin professional developer gathering was held at Midway studios on April 11th at 7pm. Once again, food was catered by Macho Taco and complementary liquor/bartending services were provided by IGDA-Austin. Approximately 140 professional game developers attended this meeting, setting a new record for any game developer organization gathering in the history of Austin, Texas.
Bioware's Gordon Walton hosted a panel of speakers to discuss How to Make Games Fun!
Continue reading "How To Make Games Fun"
Posted by KainShin at 08:00 PM
March 05, 2007
Bending Microsoft Project to Your Will - Presentation Slides
Mike McShaffry's presentation slides from the February 28th meeting and GDC are available from his website:
http://www.mcshaffry.com/GameCode/attachment.php?attachmentid=137
Posted by QuocTran at 10:30 PM
March 04, 2007
Meeting Report: McShaffry's Presentation on MS Project
Mike McShaffry gave local Austin developers a preview of his GDC presentation on "Bending Microsoft Project to Your Will" at the most recent developer gathering held at the Midway Austin studio.
The meeting was sponsored by Accent Food Services, and catering was provided by Macho Taco. Complementary drinks and professional bartending were provided by IGDA-Austin. After the presentation, developers mingled and played with Midway's Wii.
Slides of the presentation will be available after GDC.
Continue reading "Meeting Report: McShaffry's Presentation on MS Project"
Posted by KainShin at 03:04 PM
February 26, 2007
Breaking In Seminar/Mixer
The Breaking In Seminar/Mixer was sponsored by Austin Community College Video Game Program, SXSW Screenburn, and the Digital Media Council.
It was held from 7pm to 9pm on February 22, 2007 at the Joe's Coffee on 242 W 2nd St.
Here is Rodney Gibb's presentation from that event.
Posted by KainShin at 09:45 PM
November 16, 2006
Gordon Walton presents analysis on Austin development
Gordon Walton gave an interactive presentation to an audience of participating developers last night on strengths, weaknesses, threats, and opportunities in the local game development industry at the most recent IGDA-Austin event. Gordon's presentation slides can be found by clicking on this link. A write-up for this event, provided by Scott Jennings, can be found at this link.
This was a developer-only event with food provided by Macho Taco and alcoholic beverages served by a professional bartender. After the presentation, the developers mingled with Guitar Hero II.
Continue reading "Gordon Walton presents analysis on Austin development"
Posted by QuocTran at 12:18 PM
September 18, 2006
Meeting Report: Guitar Hero II at Beerland
The first meeting of IGDA-Austin was a huge success! The rock and roll show would not have been possible without the beta disc from Warren Spector (and Harmonix) or the projectors and PS2 test kit from Rodney Gibbs of Amaze Entertainment. Mike McShaffry of Breakaway Games provided the guitar controllers, and Nathan Regener of Aspyr was flawless as the venerable Master of Ceremonies.
UPDATE: Video of the event is here (Thanks, David!)
Continue reading "Meeting Report: Guitar Hero II at Beerland"
Posted by KainShin at 08:39 PM
August 30, 2006
IGDA-Austin's Guitar Hero II Competition
That's right... II! Our very first meeting of the year will feature a beta copy of Guitar Hero II. (Special thanks goes out to Warren Spector and his friends at Harmonix for that.)
- Place: Beerland (711 Red River. Austin, Texas. Not far from the convention center)
- Time: Wednesday, September 6, 2006 (During the Austin Game Conference) starting at 7pm
- Price: FREE
Registration will be at the door.
Beerland is a 21 and up establishment. You will not be able to enter without a valid ID.
Everyone who is reading this (and older than 20) is welcome to enter or just come by and have a beer while talking shop with fellow professional game developers, including out of town visitors for the Austin Game Conference.
Posted by QuocTran at 06:35 PM
June 15, 2006
A Letter from the New Board of Directors
Our Fellow Game Developers:
A few months ago you may have heard that the Austin Game Developers (AGD) fell into hibernation. The AGD had become too onerous for its volunteer organizers to tame, and the focus of its programming was not clear at times. As a result, the AGD sometimes failed to serve those for whom it was created in the first place: people employed making games in the Austin region. The AGD's future looked bleak and some of us doubted whether its hiatus would, in fact, become its demise. Yet the need for this group and the professional and social services it provides to our local industry have never been greater.
Thus, we are delighted to announce the reawakening, the reformation, and the revitalization of this vital organization that connects and fortifies Austin's game development community.
Continue reading "A Letter from the New Board of Directors"
Posted by KainShin at 12:23 AM
February 28, 2006
Games: the bastard children of popular media
Location: Dave and Buster's (183 and MoPac)
Date/Time: March 10th, 7:30pm - 9:00pm
Continue reading "Games: the bastard children of popular media"
Posted by QuocTran at 07:24 PM
