IGDA Newsletter - December 2006
===============================
IGDA Newsletter - December 2006
===============================
=================
Table of Contents
=================
0: A Word From Tom Buscaglia
1: Alternate Reality Games (ARG) Whitepaper
2: Education SIG Curriculum Workshop at GDC07
3: Casual Game Aggregators - Networks Revealed
4: Call for Mentors > GDC Student Scholarship Program
5: GDC07 Scholarship Program Now Accepting Applications
6: Columns Update
7: Chapter Meetings/Reports
x: Logistical Bits & Unsubscribe Info
=================
============================
0: A Word From Tom Buscaglia
============================
As the newly appointed chair of the recently incorporated IGDA Foundation, I would like to take this opportunity to give you all a little background on one of the IGDA's latest initiatives.
In April 2004, Eric Dybsand, a founding member of the AI SIG and globally loved and respected game developer and IGDA contributor died suddenly: http://www.bergs.com/InMemoryOfEricDybsand.htm The AI SIG wanted to establish a scholarship to GDC in his memory and honor. Neil Kirby approached me at last year's GDC and explained their desire and asked for the IGDA to help. In direct response, the IGDA formed a sister organization, the IGDA Foundation, to achieve this laudable goal. As a companion charity, the IGDA Foundation will be able accept fully tax-deductible charitable contributions to fund projects to better the lives of developers.
The IGDA Foundation is a major step forward in the maturation process of the IGDA. While we still need to finalize some of the IRS paperwork and other logistical details, you can expect the Foundation to do more than just Eric's AI scholarship. It was the catalyst and, perhaps, it will become Eric's most lasting contribution to the IGDA community.
On a similar note, some other great game related charitable efforts worth supporting:
http://giftsfromgamers.org/
http://childsplaycharity.org/
http://get-well-gamers.org/
Warm regards!
- Tom Buscaglia, The Game Attorney
Chair, IGDA Foundation
Board Member, IGDA
************************************************
** Ad: Autodesk Maya - Award Winning Solution **
************************************************
Academy Award® winning Autodesk® Maya® is a powerfully integrated 3D modeling, animation, effects and rendering solution. For digital image creation, 3D animation, and visual effects.
Turn your big ideas into reality. Maya also adds to the quality and realism of 2D graphics. Autodesk Maya is used by film and video artists, game developers, design visualization professionals, and students to create engaging, lifelike digital images, realistic animation, and extraordinary visual effects.
Download free trial:
http://clk.atdmt.com/XDA/go/ame0040000020xda/direct/01/
************************************************
===========================================
1: Alternate Reality Games (ARG) Whitepaper
===========================================
This is the first paper from the IGDA's ARG SIG, and provides a full introduction to the genre as well as a wealth of practical and analytical information on design methodologies, business models, and current and recent games.
The ARG industry is consistently producing multi-million-dollar games for tens of thousands of players at a time, and generating interest across the entertainment, broadcast, and advertising industries. In the last few years, successful games have received widespread recognition, winning awards from the gaming, media and broadcasting industries. As well as these critical success, there are already several businesses with long-term sustainable revenue streams.
Grab the ARG Whitepaper online:
http://igda.org/arg/whitepaper/
*****************************************
** Ad: Game Developers Conference 2007 **
*****************************************
March 5-9, San Francisco, California
Join the world's leading developers at GDC 2007 to exchange ideas, be inspired, and advance the art of game creation. The industry-defining event returns to San Francisco with an expanded show floor, a new Independent Games Summit, and dynamic networking opportunities.
Register before January 31 and save up to 35%. IGDA members receive an additional $50 discount.
http://www.gdconf.com/register?cid=GDC07_QUENX2
*****************************************
=============================================
2: Education SIG Curriculum Workshop at GDC07
=============================================
The IGDA's Education SIG will host an intense 2-day workshop at GDC that will focus on innovation and best practices in curriculum design and teaching methods for game development education. There will be inspirational lectures, exploration of model curricula, case blasts, interactive hands-on sessions as well as great opportunities for networking and discussion throughout the workshop. Attendees will leave with useful examples and ideas on how to best develop and/or reinvigorate game development curricula in their institution.
The goal of this workshop is to address educational issues by sharing examples of best practices in teaching and curricula. It is the SIG's hope that participants will collaborate and help create guidelines for the growing community of educators teaching videogame design and development. Attendees will leave with useful examples and ideas on how to best develop and/or reinvigorate video game curricula in their institutions.
The workshop has value for teachers, students, and developers interested in how conversations between education and industry are important in developing how we can teach game design and development. This workshop is aimed at Higher Education practices.
Full workshop details are online:
http://www.igda.org/education/workshop/
==============================================
3: Casual Game Aggregators - Networks Revealed
==============================================
In an effort to assist both independent and established developers and publishers to have better visibility into where exactly their games are being distributed and to help avoid channel conflicts, the Casual Games SIG has solicited the following official network lists from the major aggregator distributors in the marketplace:
http://www.igda.org/wiki/index.php/Casual_Games_SIG/Distribution
The SIG is also inviting the community to help document in perpetuity and unofficially other distribution points.
NOTE: These lists are NOT designed to document where publishers distribute their games - only aggregators distributing to third party web sites they feed or operate in some substantial manner.
=====================================================
4: Call for Mentors > GDC Student Scholarship Program
=====================================================
The IGDA is looking for experienced attendees of the Game Developers Conference to volunteer some time to serve as a mentor to a GDC Student Scholarship recipient (see news item below). It is a huge opportunity for these students, but the experience is somewhat overwhelming due to the scale/scope of GDC.
We assign a mentor to each of the 25 scholars. If you're an industry pro and a pro at attending GDC, here's what you'd need to commit to:
- spend at least 1-hour each day (Wed/Thu/Fri) with your assigned student
- attend the Scholarship orientation meeting Tuesday (March 6th)
In spending time with a student, the hope is that you'll provide advice on how to navigate GDC, give some development tips and career advice, introduce them to your industry friends, and just generally make the scholar's experience more valuable, and welcoming.
If you would like to volunteer to be a mentor, please contact Rudy Geronimo (rudy@igda.org). Note that best efforts will be made to match each mentor with a student's given discipline, etc.
=======================================================
5: GDC07 Scholarship Program Now Accepting Applications
=======================================================
The IGDA has just launched the 7th annual Student Scholarship Program. Twenty-five college students will be awarded complimentary full access passes to the 2007 Game Developers Conference. The deadline to enter is Wednesday, January 10, 2007. Recipients will be announced late January.
Applicants are required to be full-time college students (or equivalent) and IGDA student members for consideration. Scholarship applications will be judged by a panel of professional game developers.
Students can now apply online:
http://www.igda.org/scholarships/
=================
6: Columns Update
=================
Monthly columns have been updated:
Famous Last Words
-----------------
"Happy Anniversary to Us"
- Wow, five years of Famous Last Words...
http://www.igda.org/columns/lastwords/lastwords_Dec06.php
Culture Clash
-------------
"Order of Operations - Priority of Story"
- More on the importance of good narrative
http://www.igda.org/columns/clash/clash_Dec06.php
The Games Game
--------------
"Traditional Career Paths Not So"
- Thoughts on the winding ways into the industry
http://www.igda.org/columns/gamesgame/gamesgame_Dec06.php
===========================
7: Chapter Meetings/Reports
===========================
Complete list of chapter reports and upcoming meetings:
http://www.igda.org/chapters/updates.php
Denmark
Friday, February 2 > Nordic Game Jam 2007
http://www.diginet.org/o.o.i.s?id=1040&news_item=488
Hyderabad
Wednesday, January 10 > NASSCOM Animation & Gaming India 2007 Conference
http://www.igda.org/hyderabad/nasscom.html
Japan
Saturday, December 16 > Game AI seminar series Vol.1, Tokyo
http://www.igda.jp/modules/piCal/index.php?smode=Daily&action=View&event_id=0000000018&caldate=2006-11-27
Japan
Saturday, December 16 > Beer meeting 2006 for the end of year, Osaka
http://www.igda.jp/modules/piCal/index.php?smode=Daily&caldate=2006-11-27
Hamburg
Report, December 4 > Gamecity Campus 2006 Photo Gallery
http://www.igda.org/hamburg/reports.htm
Bangkok
Report, December 2 > IGDA Chapter Meeting and GDXCON 2006
http://www.igda.org/bangkok/archives/meeting_reports/index.html
Montreal
Report, November 29 > Montreal "DemoNight" Round Up
http://www.igda.org/montreal/archives/2006/12/demonight_in_mo.html
Paris
Report, November 27 > Meeting Nicolas Gaume
http://igda.paris.free.fr/spip.php?article36
Berlin
Report, November 26 > Motion Capturing and Paraworld
http://www.games-academy.de/IGDA/tabelle.php?hauptteil=summaryreports
Malaysia
Report, November 24 > IGDA Meeting 24th November
http://www.igda.org.my/?p=20
==================
x: Logistical Bits
==================
Unsubscribe/Subscribe to Newsletter
-----------------------------------
You can unsubscribe or update your newsletter subscription details via your MyProfile page:
http://www.igda.org/membership/myprofile.php
If you need help, contact us.
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:
- Cal Poly Pomona
- Chapman University, Extended Education
- Charles River Media/Course PTR (Thomson Learning)
- DePaul University
- Houston Community College
- Savannah College of Art and Design
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
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 - December 2006
===============================
=================
Table of Contents
=================
0: A Word From Tom Buscaglia
1: Alternate Reality Games (ARG) Whitepaper
2: Education SIG Curriculum Workshop at GDC07
3: Casual Game Aggregators - Networks Revealed
4: Call for Mentors > GDC Student Scholarship Program
5: GDC07 Scholarship Program Now Accepting Applications
6: Columns Update
7: Chapter Meetings/Reports
x: Logistical Bits & Unsubscribe Info
=================
============================
0: A Word From Tom Buscaglia
============================
As the newly appointed chair of the recently incorporated IGDA Foundation, I would like to take this opportunity to give you all a little background on one of the IGDA's latest initiatives.
In April 2004, Eric Dybsand, a founding member of the AI SIG and globally loved and respected game developer and IGDA contributor died suddenly: http://www.bergs.com/InMemoryOfEricDybsand.htm The AI SIG wanted to establish a scholarship to GDC in his memory and honor. Neil Kirby approached me at last year's GDC and explained their desire and asked for the IGDA to help. In direct response, the IGDA formed a sister organization, the IGDA Foundation, to achieve this laudable goal. As a companion charity, the IGDA Foundation will be able accept fully tax-deductible charitable contributions to fund projects to better the lives of developers.
The IGDA Foundation is a major step forward in the maturation process of the IGDA. While we still need to finalize some of the IRS paperwork and other logistical details, you can expect the Foundation to do more than just Eric's AI scholarship. It was the catalyst and, perhaps, it will become Eric's most lasting contribution to the IGDA community.
On a similar note, some other great game related charitable efforts worth supporting:
http://giftsfromgamers.org/
http://childsplaycharity.org/
http://get-well-gamers.org/
Warm regards!
- Tom Buscaglia, The Game Attorney
Chair, IGDA Foundation
Board Member, IGDA
************************************************
** Ad: Autodesk Maya - Award Winning Solution **
************************************************
Academy Award® winning Autodesk® Maya® is a powerfully integrated 3D modeling, animation, effects and rendering solution. For digital image creation, 3D animation, and visual effects.
Turn your big ideas into reality. Maya also adds to the quality and realism of 2D graphics. Autodesk Maya is used by film and video artists, game developers, design visualization professionals, and students to create engaging, lifelike digital images, realistic animation, and extraordinary visual effects.
Download free trial:
http://clk.atdmt.com/XDA/go/ame0040000020xda/direct/01/
************************************************
===========================================
1: Alternate Reality Games (ARG) Whitepaper
===========================================
This is the first paper from the IGDA's ARG SIG, and provides a full introduction to the genre as well as a wealth of practical and analytical information on design methodologies, business models, and current and recent games.
The ARG industry is consistently producing multi-million-dollar games for tens of thousands of players at a time, and generating interest across the entertainment, broadcast, and advertising industries. In the last few years, successful games have received widespread recognition, winning awards from the gaming, media and broadcasting industries. As well as these critical success, there are already several businesses with long-term sustainable revenue streams.
Grab the ARG Whitepaper online:
http://igda.org/arg/whitepaper/
*****************************************
** Ad: Game Developers Conference 2007 **
*****************************************
March 5-9, San Francisco, California
Join the world's leading developers at GDC 2007 to exchange ideas, be inspired, and advance the art of game creation. The industry-defining event returns to San Francisco with an expanded show floor, a new Independent Games Summit, and dynamic networking opportunities.
Register before January 31 and save up to 35%. IGDA members receive an additional $50 discount.
http://www.gdconf.com/register?cid=GDC07_QUENX2
*****************************************
=============================================
2: Education SIG Curriculum Workshop at GDC07
=============================================
The IGDA's Education SIG will host an intense 2-day workshop at GDC that will focus on innovation and best practices in curriculum design and teaching methods for game development education. There will be inspirational lectures, exploration of model curricula, case blasts, interactive hands-on sessions as well as great opportunities for networking and discussion throughout the workshop. Attendees will leave with useful examples and ideas on how to best develop and/or reinvigorate game development curricula in their institution.
The goal of this workshop is to address educational issues by sharing examples of best practices in teaching and curricula. It is the SIG's hope that participants will collaborate and help create guidelines for the growing community of educators teaching videogame design and development. Attendees will leave with useful examples and ideas on how to best develop and/or reinvigorate video game curricula in their institutions.
The workshop has value for teachers, students, and developers interested in how conversations between education and industry are important in developing how we can teach game design and development. This workshop is aimed at Higher Education practices.
Full workshop details are online:
http://www.igda.org/education/workshop/
==============================================
3: Casual Game Aggregators - Networks Revealed
==============================================
In an effort to assist both independent and established developers and publishers to have better visibility into where exactly their games are being distributed and to help avoid channel conflicts, the Casual Games SIG has solicited the following official network lists from the major aggregator distributors in the marketplace:
http://www.igda.org/wiki/index.php/Casual_Games_SIG/Distribution
The SIG is also inviting the community to help document in perpetuity and unofficially other distribution points.
NOTE: These lists are NOT designed to document where publishers distribute their games - only aggregators distributing to third party web sites they feed or operate in some substantial manner.
=====================================================
4: Call for Mentors > GDC Student Scholarship Program
=====================================================
The IGDA is looking for experienced attendees of the Game Developers Conference to volunteer some time to serve as a mentor to a GDC Student Scholarship recipient (see news item below). It is a huge opportunity for these students, but the experience is somewhat overwhelming due to the scale/scope of GDC.
We assign a mentor to each of the 25 scholars. If you're an industry pro and a pro at attending GDC, here's what you'd need to commit to:
- spend at least 1-hour each day (Wed/Thu/Fri) with your assigned student
- attend the Scholarship orientation meeting Tuesday (March 6th)
In spending time with a student, the hope is that you'll provide advice on how to navigate GDC, give some development tips and career advice, introduce them to your industry friends, and just generally make the scholar's experience more valuable, and welcoming.
If you would like to volunteer to be a mentor, please contact Rudy Geronimo (rudy@igda.org). Note that best efforts will be made to match each mentor with a student's given discipline, etc.
=======================================================
5: GDC07 Scholarship Program Now Accepting Applications
=======================================================
The IGDA has just launched the 7th annual Student Scholarship Program. Twenty-five college students will be awarded complimentary full access passes to the 2007 Game Developers Conference. The deadline to enter is Wednesday, January 10, 2007. Recipients will be announced late January.
Applicants are required to be full-time college students (or equivalent) and IGDA student members for consideration. Scholarship applications will be judged by a panel of professional game developers.
Students can now apply online:
http://www.igda.org/scholarships/
=================
6: Columns Update
=================
Monthly columns have been updated:
Famous Last Words
-----------------
"Happy Anniversary to Us"
- Wow, five years of Famous Last Words...
http://www.igda.org/columns/lastwords/lastwords_Dec06.php
Culture Clash
-------------
"Order of Operations - Priority of Story"
- More on the importance of good narrative
http://www.igda.org/columns/clash/clash_Dec06.php
The Games Game
--------------
"Traditional Career Paths Not So"
- Thoughts on the winding ways into the industry
http://www.igda.org/columns/gamesgame/gamesgame_Dec06.php
===========================
7: Chapter Meetings/Reports
===========================
Complete list of chapter reports and upcoming meetings:
http://www.igda.org/chapters/updates.php
Denmark
Friday, February 2 > Nordic Game Jam 2007
http://www.diginet.org/o.o.i.s?id=1040&news_item=488
Hyderabad
Wednesday, January 10 > NASSCOM Animation & Gaming India 2007 Conference
http://www.igda.org/hyderabad/nasscom.html
Japan
Saturday, December 16 > Game AI seminar series Vol.1, Tokyo
http://www.igda.jp/modules/piCal/index.php?smode=Daily&action=View&event_id=0000000018&caldate=2006-11-27
Japan
Saturday, December 16 > Beer meeting 2006 for the end of year, Osaka
http://www.igda.jp/modules/piCal/index.php?smode=Daily&caldate=2006-11-27
Hamburg
Report, December 4 > Gamecity Campus 2006 Photo Gallery
http://www.igda.org/hamburg/reports.htm
Bangkok
Report, December 2 > IGDA Chapter Meeting and GDXCON 2006
http://www.igda.org/bangkok/archives/meeting_reports/index.html
Montreal
Report, November 29 > Montreal "DemoNight" Round Up
http://www.igda.org/montreal/archives/2006/12/demonight_in_mo.html
Paris
Report, November 27 > Meeting Nicolas Gaume
http://igda.paris.free.fr/spip.php?article36
Berlin
Report, November 26 > Motion Capturing and Paraworld
http://www.games-academy.de/IGDA/tabelle.php?hauptteil=summaryreports
Malaysia
Report, November 24 > IGDA Meeting 24th November
http://www.igda.org.my/?p=20
==================
x: Logistical Bits
==================
Unsubscribe/Subscribe to Newsletter
-----------------------------------
You can unsubscribe or update your newsletter subscription details via your MyProfile page:
http://www.igda.org/membership/myprofile.php
If you need help, contact us.
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:
- Cal Poly Pomona
- Chapman University, Extended Education
- Charles River Media/Course PTR (Thomson Learning)
- DePaul University
- Houston Community College
- Savannah College of Art and Design
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
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 - 11:51 AM
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