IGDA Newsletter - December 2003

===============================
IGDA Newsletter - December 2003
===============================


=============================
0: A Word From Kathy Schoback


1: IGDA News
- Game Accessibility Survey
- IGDA's GDC Scholarship Program Now Accepting Applications
- Guide to Game Writing
- Article: "Regulation Is Everyone's Business"
- Australian Developer Conference Summary Report and Pictures
- Columns Update


2: Chapter Updates...


3: From the Wires
- Media Literacy Begins at Home
- Jack Thompson: The Real Motive
- ESRB Survey Fights Back Against Criticism
- Second Lifers get Intellectual Property Rights
- Snuff Games and Ratings
- Games Go to Work
- Playground Evolution
- Gender Inclusive Game Design
- Vice City "Racism" Sparks Protests from US Haitian Community
- MP Demands Ban on Video Hoons
- Thai Gamers Soak up Computer Skills
- Why Girls and Games are a Good Mix
- Lieberman Vows to Fight Violent Video Games
- Lawsuit Fires up in Case of Vanishing Virtual Weapons
- Pensioners Catch the Gaming Bug


4: Logistical Bits
=============================



=============================
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=============================



=============================
0: A Word From Kathy Schoback
=============================

Dear Members and friends,

As we close the year, I'd like to thank everyone involved with the IGDA for
a wonderful 2003. Whether you're actively volunteering, just sent in your
member dues, or watching from the periphery, you are all making this org
the strongest and most member-driven entity in the videogame industry today.

Some highlights that validate our increasing value to game developers:


- Membership is up over 150% against 2002 numbers.

- Renewal rate increasing year-on-year - from 14% in 2000 to 44% this year.

- A wonderful and growing slate of Studio Affiliates
(http://www.igda.org/studios/) and industry Partners
(http://www.igda.org/partners/).

- Healthy local chapters, lively and constructive online forums, an
energetic student membership and useful committee output for game
developers worldwide.


I raise my eggnog in salute!

Best holiday wishes and a happy new year,


Kathy Schoback
Chairperson, IGDA
Director of Product Operations, Eidos



=============================
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=============================
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=============================



============
1: IGDA News
============


Game Accessibility Survey
-------------------------
The IGDA's Game Accessibility SIG is conducting on online survey to
inform work on a whitepaper that will guide development and design
of accessible games for people with disabilities (including hearing impaired,
low
vision, dyslexia, etc.).


Developers already working in this area of game development are encouraged
to please fill in the web form before January 31st. To qualify you must
have produced at least one title available for download and/or purchase
that includes accessibility features for at least one disability group.


The survey and further details are online:
http://www.igda.org/accessibility/survey.htm




IGDA's GDC Scholarship Program Now Accepting Applications
---------------------------------------------------------
The IGDA has just launched the 4th annual Student Scholarship Program.
Twenty-five college students will be awarded complimentary full access
passes to the Game Developers Conference. Students can now apply online.
The deadline to enter is Wednesday, January 28, 2004. Recipients will be
announced in early February 2004. Applicants are required to be full-time
college students (or equivalent) and IGDA student members for
consideration. The IGDA's Education Committee and board members will judge
scholarship applications.


http://www.igda.org/scholarships




Guide to Game Writing
---------------------
The Game Writers' Special Interest Group of the IGDA has launched an
impressive "Guide to Game Writing." The Guide covers such diverse topics as
writer roles, writing for licenses, wage rates, and more. The Guide is available


for download from the SIG's web site in pdf format:


http://www.igda.org/writing/




Article: "Regulation Is Everyone's Business"
--------------------------------------------
First printed in the October issue of Game Developer magazine, this article
covers the importance of developer awareness (and concern) over issues such as


government regulation, censorship, and content ratings. These issues
fundamentally affect all developers and we need to be more proactive as a
community. Several recommendations are provided.


http://www.igda.org/articles/dellarocca_regulation.php
http://slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=03/12/03/1940257




Australian Developer Conference Summary Report and Pictures
-----------------------------------------------------------
The 5th annual Australian Game Developers Conference took place late
November in Melbourne. The IGDA was on hand to scope out the Aussie game
dev scene, lecture on game education and industry issues, and lay the
groundwork for the first Australian IGDA chapter. Check out further details
and fun pictures in the report:


http://www.igda.org/blogs/realitypanic/archives/000062.html




Columns Update
--------------
Monthly columns updated for December:


- The Ivory Tower:
Abstraction: An Untapped Potential
http://www.igda.org/columns/ivorytower/



- Famous Last Words:
Strategies to Get Paid
http://www.igda.org/columns/lastwords/



- Culture Clash:
Your Public Needs You - Why do we Care What Nongamers Think?
http://www.igda.org/columns/clash/



- The Games Game:
The Right School
http://www.igda.org/columns/gamesgame/




==================
2: Chapter Updates
==================
Complete list of chapter reports and upcoming meetings:
http://www.igda.org/chapters/updates.php




Seattle
Meeting, December > IGF Student Game Showcase Review Part II
http://www.igda.org/seattle/meet.htm



Houston
Report, December > Better late then never: Houston meeting update
http://igda15.polygonists.org/



Israel
Report, December > Mobile Game Development Seminar Report
http://www.igda.org/israel/report8.htm



DC & Vicinity
Meeting, December > Simulistic LLC, Virginia
http://www.igda.org/dc/meetings.htm



Montreal
Meeting, December > David Freeman on Creating Emotion in Games
http://www.igda.org/montreal/index_e.htm#next



Amsterdam
Report, November > FLUX mini-symposium @ HKU
http://www.fjbproductions.com/IGDAAC/20031107_FLUX.html



Vancouver
Report, November > Social Gathering at Soho Billiards
http://www.igda.org/vancouver/vancouverMeetingsNovember2003.php



San Francisco
Report, November > Online Games Panel
http://www.igda.org/sanfran/bayarea_summary_Nov03.htm



Atlanta
Report, November > Jaymin Kessler, UGA Student gave PS2 programming intro
http://www.igda.org/atlanta/



Colorado
Report, November >Developing Games in Shockwave 3D
http://www.coloradogamedev.org/20031103.html




=================
3: From the Wires
=================


Media Literacy Begins at Home
http://www.technologyreview.com/articles/wo_jenkins120503.asp?p=0



Jack Thompson: The Real Motive
http://www.buzzcut.com/article.php?story=20031122042658659



ESRB Survey Fights Back Against Criticism
http://games.slashdot.org/games/03/12/07/0758222.shtml?tid=127



Second Lifers get Intellectual Property Rights
http://www.gamespot.com/pc/rpg/secondlife/news_6083556.html



Snuff Games and Ratings
http://money.cnn.com/2003/11/26/commentary/game_over/column_gaming/index.htm



Games Go to Work
http://business.mainetoday.com/news/030914seriousgames.shtml



Playground Evolution
http://www.guardian.co.uk/online/story/0,3605,1093532,00.html



Gender Inclusive Game Design
http://www.idevgames.com/content/article.php?id=154



Vice City "Racism" Sparks Protests from US Haitian Community
http://www.gamesindustry.biz/content_page.php?section_name=pub&aid=2626



MP Demands Ban on Video Hoons
http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/11/15/1068674436769.html



Thai Gamers Soak up Computer Skills
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/3235852.stm



Why Girls and Games are a Good Mix
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/3248461.stm



Lieberman Vows to Fight Violent Video Games
http://greenvilleonline.com/news/2003/11/03/2003110318170.htm



Lawsuit Fires up in Case of Vanishing Virtual Weapons
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/en/doc/2003-11/20/content_283094.htm



Pensioners Catch the Gaming Bug
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/3287891.stm



=============================
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=============================
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=============================



==================
4: Logistical Bits
==================


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:


- Softimage
- Quinnipiac University


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




Newsletter Subscription
-----------------------
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If you get need help, contact us at info@igda.org.




IGDA Registration
-----------------
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There are dozens of reasons to join the IGDA, ranging from personal career
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What are you waiting for? Join today.
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Contact Information
-------------------
Do not hesitate to contact us if you have questions, comments or input.


http://www.igda.org/contact.php


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