Now that the chapter's got a pulse - priorities?
IT WAS AWESOME TO MEET YOU ALL!
Well, the Pike Place Brewing Company isn't really conducive to photo ops, so here's the only shot I could get.
Also - a big thanks to Solid State Networks for sponsoring the meeting!
Thursday's meeting had a good response all things considered - Skylar has the official count but I saw at least 40 folks over the course of the evening.
I think the first things we should address are getting the next meeting established and getting local involvement at the meetings - opportunities to demo products, from major studios and independent developers, and a chance for IGDA members to address what they'd like to see coming from the chapter & chapter meetings. While meet-and-greets like we had Thursday are great for a first meeting, let's add some interactivity and opportunities for members to voice their concerns and see great stuff!
Suggestions?
Definitely agree that it was too short of a notice for a meeting, and that there should be more feedback from the community as to what future formats should be. I personally would like more of a quiet gathering with a lecture or two. Of course I am also willing to help achieve such goals.
Just heads up that the facilities at DigiPen can be available again - and unlike other locations, it's FREE for IGDA to use. We can hold 40-120 people in lecture hall, and up to 120 on computers in one room, and setting up for an expo or other event can certainly be arranged for the local chapter. Just please contact me well in advance to schedule with our facilities.
Also - we have a collequim series of lectures from the industry (MSCS level, CE, game design, art, animation...) that is often open to the public. You should join our mail list!
Oops also meant to add that UW CS has an awesome collequim series as well that you should look at for either guest or joint speakers.
Hey Jen - thanks for sharing this info!!
Is there a speakers list for the collequim that we can get a link to?
Sean,
What was the mix of industry folk, breaking in, and students?
Although I enjoy game lectures, as a professional, my priorities are meeting other developers and making new friends from other studios in the area. What are your plans for social focus?
When I came here a few years ago, I went to a lecture at Digipen and I felt that it was mostly made up of students and it wasn't as conducive to meeting anyone in particular, even the students, so I stopped going.
One of the things we have been working on is transitioning the chapter back to a pro chapter. The sessions are Digipen tended to be a bit too student oriented for the pros around here. So, for the past few years we have been working to make the chapter more responsive to professionals.
The Seattle dev community is huge and potentially a great resource. But what pro's want at a meeting is something that we are still trying to figure out. I think, as minimum, periodic social meetings are a great place to start...but, of course, finding an appropriate venue is also an issue. Even deciding which side of Lake Washington to hold the meeting takes more than a little thought.
The purpose of the Leadership meeting I announced for next week is to get things on track and set out a core group of volunteers to build the chapter around. I hope you can make it!
Tom B
PRIORITY ONE: Better communication from our chapter leadership.
Skylar sent out the following info for the November meeting - 2 days before it's scheduled. This really doesn't allow for a lot of lead-time in planning.
Thursday, November 19th at 7:00pm - 9:00pm
WHERE:
The Little Red Studio
400 Dexter Ave N
Seattle, WA 98109
206.328.4758
I really hope everyone who's interested already has received this info, but we've got to get a better system setup for distributing information - heck, maybe even getting feedback from the membership on WHERE AND WHEN the best time for everyone is.
Hope to see you all tomorrow evening!