IGDA Newsletter - April 2008
============================
IGDA Newsletter - April 2008
============================
=================
Table of Contents
=================
0: A Word From Jen MacLean
1: Leadership Forum: Web vids, DVDs, call for speakers
2: SIG Quarterlies/Updates: AI, Casual, Writing
3: Event Action: LA, Paris, Brighton, Sandbox
4: Columns Update
5: Chapter Meetings/Reports
x: Logistical Bits & Unsubscribe Info
=================
==========================
0: A Word From Jen MacLean
==========================
Dear Members and friends,
I recently had the opportunity to join an independent game developer and jumped at the chance. One of the interesting challenges of my new role is explaining to my non-developer friends and family exactly what I do all day; "business development for a game company" isn't terribly helpful to a non-gaming audience, and I'm still figuring out how I describe what I firmly believe is the coolest job in the world to people whose last experience with a game was Pitfall on the Atari 2600.
In addition to the new role at 38 Studios, I've also been spending a lot of time reading member feedback in the IGDA forums and in the email responses I receive to our communication asking former members why they chose not to renew with the IGDA. (Yes, I do read those emails, every one of them.) Consistently, members cite a lack of awareness of the benefits of IGDA membership, and just as I've been spending time describing my job at 38 Studios, I've been giving considerable thought to articulating "what the IGDA does all day".
Arguably, one of our most visible member benefits is the members-only party we host at GDC (along with the $50 discount on GDC registration). Of course, we are way more than a cool annual party, we also offer great online resources, including active discussion forums and mailing lists that connect you with your peers. We have many active chapters who host great local events, and we're very excited to build on the success of the first IGDA Leadership Forum with an expanded program for our event this fall (see below). Our Special Interest Groups host thriving online communities, and frequently produce valuable white papers, events, and commentary on game development. We act as industry advocates via the press and appearances by our Executive Director, Jason Della Rocca. And we continue to support a talent pipeline through student scholarships and curriculum efforts.
So what DOES the IGDA do all day? We focus on our mission, to advance the careers and enhance the lives of game developers by connecting members with their peers, promoting professional development, and advocating on issues that affect the developer community. Largely, this means we are working our butts off to keep up with the demands of our growing membership (and industry!) and provide the tools you all need to benefit from the IGDA.
And, we're always interested in feedback on how we can better serve our members, so please don't hesitate to keep sharing your opinions.
- Jen MacLean
Chairperson, IGDA
VP Business Development, 38 Studios
********************************************************
** Ad: Autodesk Game Tour: Create, Animate, Integrate **
********************************************************
Join Autodesk for our Create, Animate, Integrate Game tour. In this seminar, see how the latest releases of Autodesk 3D solutions can help your entire team create, animate and integrate its work into the game engine like never before. Our guest speaker, Randy Stebbing, Technical Art Director at High Moon Studios will talk about why his team chose to use Autodesk 3D solutions, and how they were used in his latest work, Robert Ludlum's The Bourne Conspiracy.
Register today for a city near you:
Austin: May 6th
San Diego: May 7th
Los Angeles: May 8th
San Francisco: May 13th
Seattle: May 14th
Vancouver: May 15th
http://www.autodesk.com/gametour2008
********************************************************
======================================================
1: Leadership Forum: Web vids, DVDs, call for speakers
======================================================
The first IGDA Leadership Forum was a smashing success with top rated sessions by Don Daglow, Ray Muzyka and Greg Zeschuk (BioWare), Tim Schafer (Double-Fine), Mike Capps (Epic Games) and Clinton Keith (ex High Moon Studios). And, we welcomed 300+ delegates from over 15 countries, including the UK, Finland, India and Australia.
All 21 conference sessions were recorded and are now available for purchase on DVD. The 4-disc set of hi-res video is priced at $99 (plus shipping). If you would like to purchase a copy, please email us via sales@igda.org and we'll forward you the order form.
Also, we have made lo-res videos available via Google Video:
http://www.igda.org/leadership/?page_id=64
The 2008 IGDA Leadership Forum (13-14 November, San Francisco) is EXPANDING its session offerings so we can encompass a broad range of leadership topics, including personal leadership, project leadership and management leadership. The sessions will run in parallel tracks and will consist of a mix of lectures, panels, and interactive workshop sessions.
The Program Committee is welcoming session proposals until May 1st. Full details via:
http://www.igda.org/leadership/?p=68
===============================================
2: SIG Quarterlies/Updates: AI, Casual, Writing
===============================================
Various IGDA special interest groups have recently posted their dedicated newsletters/updates. Check them out:
- AI SIG: Game AI Newsletter - Feb-08:
http://five.pairlist.net/pipermail/gameai_news/2008/000005.html
- Casual Games SIG: Casual Games Quarterly - Spring 08:
http://www.igda.org/wiki/Casual_Games_SIG#IGDA_Casual_Games_Quarterly
- Writing SIG: Game Writers Quarterly - Spring 08:
http://www.quantumcontent.com/projects/gwsig/gwsigquarterly-2-08.pdf
=============================================
3: Event Action: LA, Paris, Brighton, Sandbox
=============================================
Member discounts at upcoming events and related event action include:
- 20% member discount for LA Games Conference in Los Angeles, CA (May 21-22)
- 50 euro member discount for Paris GDC (June 23-24)
- 10% member discount for Develop in Brighton (July 29-31)
- $50 member discount for Sandbox Game Symposium in Los Angeles, CA (August 10-11)
Full discount details and links available online:
http://www.igda.org/events/
Also, check out the trip "report"/photos from the executive director's recent trip to Pennsylvania:
- Playing to Win: The Business and Social Frontiers of Videogames + IGDA-Philly:
http://www.realitypanic.com/archives/357
=================
4: Columns Update
=================
Monthly columns have been updated:
Famous Last Words
-----------------
"Making the Deal with Your Agent - Part II"
- A look at terms that may become part of your agent-developer deal.
http://www.igda.org/columns/lastwords/lastwords_Apr08.php
Culture Clash
-------------
"A Modest Proposal - Not too cool for school"
- Exploring the power of games as engines for learning.
http://www.igda.org/columns/clash/clash_Apr08.php
The Games Game
--------------
"If you can make it in Alaska..."
- Looking at career options when you are remote.
http://www.igda.org/columns/gamesgame/gamesgame_Apr08.php
===========================
5: Chapter Meetings/Reports
===========================
Complete list of chapter reports and upcoming meetings:
http://www.igda.org/chapters/updates.php
San Francisco
Wednesday, May 7 > May 2008 meeting at Dolby
http://www.igda.org/sf/?p=17
Montreal
Wednesday, April 30 > GameCafe - User Generated Content
http://www.igda.org/montreal/archives/2008/04/april_30_gameca.html
Silicon Valley
Wednesday, April 30 > Pizza Social Night Meeting
http://www.siliconvalleyigda.org/
Malaysia
Friday, April 25 > IGDA Informal Meet
http://www.igda.org.my/?p=146
New Jersey North
Report, April 20 > Game Deconstruction for Frontlines: Fuel of War
http://blender.rutgers.edu/~njigda/meetings/2008/200804.php
Philadelphia
Report, April 13 > Welcome to Philly Three Rings Designs
http://www.igda.org/philly/archives/2008/04/april_2008_was.html
Finland
Report, April 8 > Finnish Game Education & Academia Showcased
http://igda.fi/?p=157
Detroit
Report, March 27 > Two of Detroit's gaming luminaries speak at IGDA
http://www.igdadetroit.org/?p=76
Albuquerque
Report, March 26 > March Event Recap
http://groups.google.com/group/riogrande-igda/web/march-event-presenters
New Jersey North
Report, March 25 > Social Meeting Report
http://blender.rutgers.edu/~njigda/meetings/2008/200803.php
Finland
Report, March 15 > Bugbear celebrates it's 8th Bday with over 200 guests
http://igda.fi/?p=153
==================
x: Logistical Bits
==================
Unsubscribe/Subscribe to Newsletter
-----------------------------------
To unsubscribe simply send an email with the subject "unsubscribe" to igda@igda.org.
Or, you can update your newsletter subscription details via your MyProfile page:
http://www.igda.org/membership/myprofile.php
Thanks to our Partners
----------------------
The IGDA extends its sincerest thanks to all our Partners! Especially those who just joined us, or recently renewed their commitment to support the game development community:
- Ayalogic
- Course Technology PTR
- DeVry University
- Havok
- Kingwood College
- SN Systems
- University of Derby
Without their support the IGDA simply would not survive - let alone thrive.
Further details and a complete list of Partners are available online:
http://www.igda.org/partners
Contact Information
-------------------
Please contact us if you have questions, comments or input:
http://www.igda.org/contact.php
19 Mantua Road
Mount Royal, New Jersey
USA 08061
RSS Feeds for IGDA News and Chapter Updates
-------------------------------------------
The IGDA web site has RSS feeds for IGDA news (eg, org announcements, committee work, etc) and chapter updates (eg, upcoming meetings, event reports). Those using RSS readers can point to:
IGDA News: http://www.igda.org/igda_news_rss.php
IGDA Chapter Updates: http://www.igda.org/igda_chapters_rss.php
-------
- end -
------m
IGDA Newsletter - April 2008
============================
=================
Table of Contents
=================
0: A Word From Jen MacLean
1: Leadership Forum: Web vids, DVDs, call for speakers
2: SIG Quarterlies/Updates: AI, Casual, Writing
3: Event Action: LA, Paris, Brighton, Sandbox
4: Columns Update
5: Chapter Meetings/Reports
x: Logistical Bits & Unsubscribe Info
=================
==========================
0: A Word From Jen MacLean
==========================
Dear Members and friends,
I recently had the opportunity to join an independent game developer and jumped at the chance. One of the interesting challenges of my new role is explaining to my non-developer friends and family exactly what I do all day; "business development for a game company" isn't terribly helpful to a non-gaming audience, and I'm still figuring out how I describe what I firmly believe is the coolest job in the world to people whose last experience with a game was Pitfall on the Atari 2600.
In addition to the new role at 38 Studios, I've also been spending a lot of time reading member feedback in the IGDA forums and in the email responses I receive to our communication asking former members why they chose not to renew with the IGDA. (Yes, I do read those emails, every one of them.) Consistently, members cite a lack of awareness of the benefits of IGDA membership, and just as I've been spending time describing my job at 38 Studios, I've been giving considerable thought to articulating "what the IGDA does all day".
Arguably, one of our most visible member benefits is the members-only party we host at GDC (along with the $50 discount on GDC registration). Of course, we are way more than a cool annual party, we also offer great online resources, including active discussion forums and mailing lists that connect you with your peers. We have many active chapters who host great local events, and we're very excited to build on the success of the first IGDA Leadership Forum with an expanded program for our event this fall (see below). Our Special Interest Groups host thriving online communities, and frequently produce valuable white papers, events, and commentary on game development. We act as industry advocates via the press and appearances by our Executive Director, Jason Della Rocca. And we continue to support a talent pipeline through student scholarships and curriculum efforts.
So what DOES the IGDA do all day? We focus on our mission, to advance the careers and enhance the lives of game developers by connecting members with their peers, promoting professional development, and advocating on issues that affect the developer community. Largely, this means we are working our butts off to keep up with the demands of our growing membership (and industry!) and provide the tools you all need to benefit from the IGDA.
And, we're always interested in feedback on how we can better serve our members, so please don't hesitate to keep sharing your opinions.
- Jen MacLean
Chairperson, IGDA
VP Business Development, 38 Studios
********************************************************
** Ad: Autodesk Game Tour: Create, Animate, Integrate **
********************************************************
Join Autodesk for our Create, Animate, Integrate Game tour. In this seminar, see how the latest releases of Autodesk 3D solutions can help your entire team create, animate and integrate its work into the game engine like never before. Our guest speaker, Randy Stebbing, Technical Art Director at High Moon Studios will talk about why his team chose to use Autodesk 3D solutions, and how they were used in his latest work, Robert Ludlum's The Bourne Conspiracy.
Register today for a city near you:
Austin: May 6th
San Diego: May 7th
Los Angeles: May 8th
San Francisco: May 13th
Seattle: May 14th
Vancouver: May 15th
http://www.autodesk.com/gametour2008
********************************************************
======================================================
1: Leadership Forum: Web vids, DVDs, call for speakers
======================================================
The first IGDA Leadership Forum was a smashing success with top rated sessions by Don Daglow, Ray Muzyka and Greg Zeschuk (BioWare), Tim Schafer (Double-Fine), Mike Capps (Epic Games) and Clinton Keith (ex High Moon Studios). And, we welcomed 300+ delegates from over 15 countries, including the UK, Finland, India and Australia.
All 21 conference sessions were recorded and are now available for purchase on DVD. The 4-disc set of hi-res video is priced at $99 (plus shipping). If you would like to purchase a copy, please email us via sales@igda.org and we'll forward you the order form.
Also, we have made lo-res videos available via Google Video:
http://www.igda.org/leadership/?page_id=64
The 2008 IGDA Leadership Forum (13-14 November, San Francisco) is EXPANDING its session offerings so we can encompass a broad range of leadership topics, including personal leadership, project leadership and management leadership. The sessions will run in parallel tracks and will consist of a mix of lectures, panels, and interactive workshop sessions.
The Program Committee is welcoming session proposals until May 1st. Full details via:
http://www.igda.org/leadership/?p=68
===============================================
2: SIG Quarterlies/Updates: AI, Casual, Writing
===============================================
Various IGDA special interest groups have recently posted their dedicated newsletters/updates. Check them out:
- AI SIG: Game AI Newsletter - Feb-08:
http://five.pairlist.net/pipermail/gameai_news/2008/000005.html
- Casual Games SIG: Casual Games Quarterly - Spring 08:
http://www.igda.org/wiki/Casual_Games_SIG#IGDA_Casual_Games_Quarterly
- Writing SIG: Game Writers Quarterly - Spring 08:
http://www.quantumcontent.com/projects/gwsig/gwsigquarterly-2-08.pdf
=============================================
3: Event Action: LA, Paris, Brighton, Sandbox
=============================================
Member discounts at upcoming events and related event action include:
- 20% member discount for LA Games Conference in Los Angeles, CA (May 21-22)
- 50 euro member discount for Paris GDC (June 23-24)
- 10% member discount for Develop in Brighton (July 29-31)
- $50 member discount for Sandbox Game Symposium in Los Angeles, CA (August 10-11)
Full discount details and links available online:
http://www.igda.org/events/
Also, check out the trip "report"/photos from the executive director's recent trip to Pennsylvania:
- Playing to Win: The Business and Social Frontiers of Videogames + IGDA-Philly:
http://www.realitypanic.com/archives/357
=================
4: Columns Update
=================
Monthly columns have been updated:
Famous Last Words
-----------------
"Making the Deal with Your Agent - Part II"
- A look at terms that may become part of your agent-developer deal.
http://www.igda.org/columns/lastwords/lastwords_Apr08.php
Culture Clash
-------------
"A Modest Proposal - Not too cool for school"
- Exploring the power of games as engines for learning.
http://www.igda.org/columns/clash/clash_Apr08.php
The Games Game
--------------
"If you can make it in Alaska..."
- Looking at career options when you are remote.
http://www.igda.org/columns/gamesgame/gamesgame_Apr08.php
===========================
5: Chapter Meetings/Reports
===========================
Complete list of chapter reports and upcoming meetings:
http://www.igda.org/chapters/updates.php
San Francisco
Wednesday, May 7 > May 2008 meeting at Dolby
http://www.igda.org/sf/?p=17
Montreal
Wednesday, April 30 > GameCafe - User Generated Content
http://www.igda.org/montreal/archives/2008/04/april_30_gameca.html
Silicon Valley
Wednesday, April 30 > Pizza Social Night Meeting
http://www.siliconvalleyigda.org/
Malaysia
Friday, April 25 > IGDA Informal Meet
http://www.igda.org.my/?p=146
New Jersey North
Report, April 20 > Game Deconstruction for Frontlines: Fuel of War
http://blender.rutgers.edu/~njigda/meetings/2008/200804.php
Philadelphia
Report, April 13 > Welcome to Philly Three Rings Designs
http://www.igda.org/philly/archives/2008/04/april_2008_was.html
Finland
Report, April 8 > Finnish Game Education & Academia Showcased
http://igda.fi/?p=157
Detroit
Report, March 27 > Two of Detroit's gaming luminaries speak at IGDA
http://www.igdadetroit.org/?p=76
Albuquerque
Report, March 26 > March Event Recap
http://groups.google.com/group/riogrande-igda/web/march-event-presenters
New Jersey North
Report, March 25 > Social Meeting Report
http://blender.rutgers.edu/~njigda/meetings/2008/200803.php
Finland
Report, March 15 > Bugbear celebrates it's 8th Bday with over 200 guests
http://igda.fi/?p=153
==================
x: Logistical Bits
==================
Unsubscribe/Subscribe to Newsletter
-----------------------------------
To unsubscribe simply send an email with the subject "unsubscribe" to igda@igda.org.
Or, you can update your newsletter subscription details via your MyProfile page:
http://www.igda.org/membership/myprofile.php
Thanks to our Partners
----------------------
The IGDA extends its sincerest thanks to all our Partners! Especially those who just joined us, or recently renewed their commitment to support the game development community:
- Ayalogic
- Course Technology PTR
- DeVry University
- Havok
- Kingwood College
- SN Systems
- University of Derby
Without their support the IGDA simply would not survive - let alone thrive.
Further details and a complete list of Partners are available online:
http://www.igda.org/partners
Contact Information
-------------------
Please contact us if you have questions, comments or input:
http://www.igda.org/contact.php
19 Mantua Road
Mount Royal, New Jersey
USA 08061
RSS Feeds for IGDA News and Chapter Updates
-------------------------------------------
The IGDA web site has RSS feeds for IGDA news (eg, org announcements, committee work, etc) and chapter updates (eg, upcoming meetings, event reports). Those using RSS readers can point to:
IGDA News: http://www.igda.org/igda_news_rss.php
IGDA Chapter Updates: http://www.igda.org/igda_chapters_rss.php
-------
- end -
------m
Last updated:
09/28/2009 - 12:01 PM
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