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MVP Awards

So much of the IGDA's success and progress is due to the support and involvement of countless volunteers from the community. Each year, the IGDA hosts a "VIP Luncheon" at GDC as a small gesture of thanks. In 2005, the Most Valuable Player (MVP) Awards were introduced as a means to call out the extraordinary contributions of three volunteers. Each year, IGDA management will make the selection and present the awards during the VIP Luncheon. Photos courtesy Drew Sikora, GameDev.Net.

 

2008 MVP Award Recipients

Susan Gold

In 2006, Susan took the helm of the revamped Education SIG and revitalized the group. A tireless advocate for game education, Susan led two successful Education Summits at GDC, initiated several new projects within EdSIG (eg, syllabi knowledge base) and lead the effort to update the IGDA's seminal Curriculum Framework.

Mike McShaffry

More of a "promiscuous" volunteer, Mike likes to dabble in many and various opportunities. From serving as an IGDA-Austin chapter advisor, to judging and mentoring IGDA student scholars at GDC, to speaking and blogging at the IGDA's own Leadership Forum. Mike is always ready and willing to lend a helping hand.

Wade Tinney

Wade has led the recent growth and revamp of the IGDA-NYC chapter. In the process, he created the ever popular "DemoNight" event format, running seven such nights and spawning copycat nights at many other IGDA chapters around the globe. Further, Wade has been heavily involved in various SIGs, in particular the Casual Games SIG, serving as the quarterly newsletter editor. Wade also supports the IGDA with his studio, Large Animal Games, as part of the Studio Affiliation program.

 

2007 MVP Award Recipients

Chris Bateman

Chris founded the Game Writers SIG and has served as the initial chair and more recently on the executive committee since its inception. In additional to fostering valuable discussion and connection among game writers and producer writer specific content, Chris lead the SIG is producing the Game Writing book for Charles River Media. Chris also founded the North West UK chapter of the IGDA. Chris Bateman

Jyri "Jay" Ranki

Jay is the lead coordinate of IGDA Finland, one of the IGDA's most vibrant and fasting growing chapters. With the help of the organizing and advisory teams, Jay and the Finland chapter have hosted 11 meetings, welcoming over 1300 total attendees in 2006 alone. Jay also helps out with the IGDA's GDC Scholarship program as a judge and mentor. Jyri "Jay" Ranki

Eric Zimmerman

A long time member, Eric has been involved in numerous initiatives and activities of the IGDA over the years. In particular, Eric was integral with the IGDA's initial Education Committee and development of the Curriculum Framework. He continues to advise the revamp Education SIG. Eric is also on the Game Developers Choice Awards Advisory Board and continues to push for the recognition of innovators. For several years, Eric also assisted with the New York City chapter. More recently, Eric was invited to serve on the IGDA's Long-Range Planning Committee to help guide the future vision of the IGDA. Eric Zimmerman

 

2006 MVP Award Recipients

Jim Charne

Jim has been writing the ever popular "Famous Last Words" legal advice column since December 2001. In addition to being an outspoken advocate for developers' legal rights and pushing for change in contracting/royalty practices, Jim has been a big proponent for standardized credits. Jim also serves at the project leader for the Contract Walk-Through initiative, now under its third release and has accumulated well over 5000 downloads.

Michelle Hinn

Michelle is the founder and current chair of the Game Accessibility SIG. One of the IGDA's most active SIGs, Michelle has worked tirelessly to bring awareness to accessibility development challenges and the need for change. Michelle and the SIG have produced white papers and related informational resources, a full-day GDC workshop, and active mailing list. They are currently working on a book. Michelle Hinn

Brian Robbins

Brian has been deeply involved with IGDA chapters, despite frequent moves professionally. First as the coordinator for the Colorado chapter, then moving on to found the Ottawa chapter and now working with the NYC chapter. In addition to chapter work, Brian led the efforts of the Online Games SIG in producing several extensive white papers and is the founder and current chair of the Casual Games SIG. Brian Robbins

 

2005 MVP Award Recipients

Francois Dominic Laramee

Francois is the leader of the IGDA's Quality of Life Committee and has been instrumental is driving the IGDA's efforts to improving working conditions and production practices within the industry. Francois also gets involved at the local level by helping with the IGDA's Montreal chapter. Francois Dominic Laramee

Kathy Schoback

Kathy served three years as a board member and was instrumental is setting long-term strategy, refocusing the IGDA's mission and negotiating the organization's move to self-manage (ie, out of CMP). Kathy also helped to lead the Business Committee efforts, including the Business Summit at GDC'04.  

Kiyoshi Shin

Self described as a full-time IGDA volunteer, Kiyoshi leads the IGDA chapter in Japan. Kiyoshi's efforts with the chapter have been instrumental in breaking down social/community barriers within the game industry. The chapter has also helped to build bridges with the Japanese academic community, along with starting several SIGs. Kiyoshi Shin