Eric Francksen 2010 Board Statement
Candidate Position Statement:
The IGDA currently has many strong programs to help its members reach out to colleagues all over the world. I envision broadening these initiatives on the international level. In particular, I would like to see the webinars we have begun to host expanded to include web based round table and panel discussions for our chapters and SIGs. In doing this, we will be able to further the IGDA’s community development while taking advantage of an existing resource. Economy is important in my vision for the IGDA, and seeing the resources of the international organization used efficiently is key to ensuring that we, as members, get the most out of our annual dues. I began my volunteer work with the IGDA in 2005 by forming the IGDA Madison Chapter. As president, I have seen the chapter evolve over the years into a statewide group, with every studio in Wisconsin playing an active role in its success. We are now called IGDA Wisconsin and I am proud to say we have been regularly attracting developers from as far away as the Minneapolis/St. Paul and Chicago areas to our meetings. Sharing stories and experiences with developers throughout our region has become a core benefit for our chapter members, and the continued growth of our chapter seems to reflect appreciation for making this benefit a priority.
What makes the IGDA great is its people. The reality that individuals all around the world have chosen to work together towards the common goal of bettering our industry, above and beyond what their jobs or even their local communities ask of them, is inspiring. I do believe that this industry has been made better by what we have all done through the IGDA. As a Board member, I intend to help focus our mutual efforts towards strengthening both our local and remote communities with specific initiatives geared at taking advantage of the IGDA’s corporate resources to help support the needs of local chapters. I look forward to the opportunity to strengthen and expand on the programs that serve to support our growing community.
Candidate Volunteer Credits:
- Wisconsin IGDA Founder and Chairman since 2005
- Board of Advisees Member for the Madison Media Institute
- Advisor for ITT Green Bay
- Advisor for the Digital Media Program of Viterbo University
Candidate Bio:
Eric has been an active IGDA member since 2004 and a chapter coordinator since 2005, when he, along with his friend Tim Gerritsen, founded the Wisconsin IGDA chapter out of Madison, Wisconsin. He has worked at several game development studios including Ravensoft, Frozen Codebase, and Big Rooster. Although Eric is a producer by trade, he has also worked in the areas of quality assurance and game design. He has had the privilege of serving on the board of advisors for the Madison Media Institute. He also serves in various advisory roles for schools such as Viterbo University (where he earned his BFA), ITT Green Bay, and Western Wisconsin Technical College. Eric is currently trying his best to stay warm in his hometown of La Crosse, Wisconsin while his wife, Crystal, finishes her doctorate. He plans to pursue his MBA in the near future. Preferably someplace he and Crystal can thaw out.
Board Interview Q and A:
1. What do you see as the biggest challenge facing game developers today? What should the IGDA's role be in addressing that challenge?
Sustainability for companies and individuals is the biggest challenge I believe the video game industry must overcome if we wish to offer fulfilling lifestyles for one another. The video game industry is made up of people who are truly passionate for the work they do. For many of us, our job is our vocation. Yet, for all our passion, many of us are still put in the horrible situation of needing to compromise our quality of life in order to pursue our dream of making great games.
Through the IGDA, I believe we can collaborate, as a community, and help establish best practices which we can bring back to our workplaces in order to help reduce burnout. I know how important it is that we all have the option to balance our professional and personal lives. I also know that I am not alone on this issue. And because there are so many who are effected by this and feel as though something must be done, I believe it is our most critical obstacle to overcome.
2. How do you expect to contribute to the IGDA Board? What qualifications or skills do you possess that will enhance your contributions?
When looking back at teams I've worked with, the terms associated with my contribution have always been 'passionate' and 'professional'. Although these are two of the strongest traits I bring to the table, I also look to contribute my managerial and communication skills to the Board. I am a strong believer in communication as a priority in any organization, and this certainly holds for the IGDA.
As a Board member, I intend to see us continue to strengthen initiatives which directly support our chapters and SIGs. I see these groups as the very heart of the IGDA, without which we would certainly be irrelevant. This being my stance, I will do everything in my power to see that the IGDA's resources reach as many of it's members as possible. Further, I believe the board has a responsibility to remain transparent towards its members. We, as members, care very much about this organization, and the more we realize our potential through heightened transparency, the greater our impact can be on the industry.
3. How much time do you expect to volunteer to the IGDA? How will you manage this commitment?
As coordinator of the Wisconsin IGDA chapter, I volunteer roughly two hours a week to chapter coordination. Other more random commitments arise at least once a month and take only a few more hours. To me this is a light time commitment and I would expect to give considerably more time to the organization as a board member. My success in managing my time volunteering for the IGDA up to this point can be attributed to promptness in completing tasks and flexibility on the part of my fellow chapter coordinators.
4. As an IGDA board member, you're often asked to get things done on a short timeframe and tight budget. What do you think a reasonable expectation of a board member's contribution is? How will you accomplish your goals as a board member?
As a producer, I've been no stranger to tight timeframes and tighter budgets and, to be frank, I enjoy the challenge. Coordinating the Wisconsin IGDA Chapter has given me a fair estimate of just what it takes to volunteer with the IGDA. Considering the added responsibilities of a board member, I can only expect that my time and energy committed to the IGDA will increase.
I believe it reasonable that a board member contribute to the continued sustainability of the organization as well as offer guidance towards new or updated initiatives. It's no secret that our industry, although hurt by the current economic downturn, continues to grow and mature. It is absolutely critical that the board members of the IGDA be prepared to help guide the organization through these changes in order to keep our organization relevant.
My primary strategy for meeting these goals lie in a grass roots approach. It would be pompous of me to assume that I know all there is to know about what is relevant in our field. Instead I will utilize the IGDA community, as I have as a chapter coordinator, and prepare myself to make sure their voices are heard and their needs are championed.
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