IGDA Newsletter - December 2008
===============================
IGDA Newsletter - December 2008
===============================
=================
Table of Contents
=================
0: A Word From Jen MacLean
1: Call for Nominees: 2009 Board of Director Elections
2: IGDA Action at GDC 2009
3: Mentors Needed for GDC Scholarship Program
4: Global Game Jam: 15 countries, 42 sites, unlimited creativity!
5: Casual Games SIG Quarterly - Fall '08 Edition
6: Leadership Forum Recap (now with slides)
7: Columns Update
8: Chapter Meetings/Reports
x: Logistical Bits & Unsubscribe Info
=================
==========================
0: A Word From Jen MacLean
==========================
Dear Members and friends,
At the end of every year, I look back at the highs and lows, and 2008 gives me particular pleasure to recall.
From an IGDA perspective, we accomplished a number of important initiatives, like: we partnered with the Academy of Interactive Arts and Sciences to recognize excellence in our industry; we hosted our second Leadership Forum, providing a powerful tool for personal and professional development; our Education SIG planned the first Global Game Jam (see below), taking place next month; and we also hosted over 2,000 developers at our annual GDC members-only party.
As proud as I am of these accomplishments, however, there's much more to do. The IGDA Board met in November to identify our strategic priorities for 2009 as we look at the best ways to meet our mission of improving the lives of game developers through connecting members with their peers, promoting professional development, and advocating on issues that impact the developer community. I expect that at the end of next year, you'll be hearing kudos bestowed on the teams that launched a revamped IGDA web portal, expanded our event program, and increased our advocacy efforts on behalf of game developers.
These items are just a few activities that are underway to continue to make your membership in and involvement with the IGDA one of the most meaningful ways you can impact the industry - and your career in it. The close of the year is also a great opportunity to thank you for your ongoing support and to encourage you to share your ideas and enthusiasm with your peers by participating in special interest groups, attending a local chapter events, or emailing a Board member with your thoughts and suggestions.
Best wishes for a wonderful 2009!
- Jen MacLean
Chairperson, IGDA
SVP, Business Development, 38 Studios
****************************************
** Ad: GDC 2009 Session Content Live! **
****************************************
The 23rd annual Game Developers Conference returns to San Francisco's Moscone Center March 23-27, 2009. Get ready for a week of learning, networking, and inspiration as over 18,000 developers convene to further the digital entertainment industry. The GDC hosts top sessions, panels, roundtables and keynotes from select speakers worldwide. Evening events include the 11th annual Independent Games Festival and the 9th Annual Game Developers Choice Awards.
Now available for viewing are the latest sessions for Audio, Business Management, Game Design, Production, Programming and Visual Arts tracks as well as our full and half day Tutorials and our nine Summits.
Register by February 12, 2009 and save up to 30% on conference passes. IGDA Members get an additional $50 discount.
For more info and to register, jump to:
http://www.gdconf.com/?cid=GDC09_QUENX2
****************************************
======================================================
1: Call for Nominees: 2009 Board of Director Elections
======================================================
We would like to invite you to submit nominations for the IGDA Board of Directors. The 2009 election process has officially started, with voting set to take place in February. We are filling four open board seats. Nominations are due by Thursday, January 22nd.
The game industry is still developing both as a business and an art form. Influencing the industry's growth in positive directions requires leadership. If you care about making games and feel you could serve the IGDA, we strongly encourage you to contact us about your candidacy immediately. If you know someone you feel would contribute, please contact that person now and encourage him or her to run for an IGDA board seat.
Please review the complete details on the election and submission process:
http://www.igda.org/board/elections.php
http://www.igda.org/board/IGDA_Election_Manual.pdf
*******************************************
** Ad: The 6th Annual Mobile Games Forum **
*******************************************
21 22 January 2009
The Tower Hotel, London, UK
Now in its 6th year, the Mobile Games Forum is firmly established as the leading Mobile Games event in Europe. With the whole ecosystem present operators, publishers, developers, handset manufacturers and software providers all industry viewpoints will be represented. The unbeatable MGF09 speaker line-up includes over 40 cutting-edge viewpoints from industry leaders.
Special £499 independent developer rate and 15% discount for IGDA members; email andrew_mowbray@osneymedia.com or call +44 (0)207 336 4692 for details.
For event info and to register, jump to:
http://www.mobilegamesforum.co.uk/
*******************************************
==========================
2: IGDA Action at GDC 2009
==========================
Each year the IGDA works hard to maximize the GDC experience for our members and the game development community. Here's an outline of all the stuff the IGDA has cooking for the 2009 GDC.
- Members-Only Party on Tuesday night from 8pm to midnight at the Westin on Market
- IGDA Annual General Meeting on Thursday during lunch break
- Education Summit
- Localization Summit
- 24 SIG and committee meeting roundtable sessions
- 12 social gatherings
- Student Scholarship Program
- IGDA booth and members' area
- Members-Only t-shirt give-away
- Membership ribbons
- VIP Luncheon on Wednesday (by invite only)
- Chapter Coordinators Workshop on Monday (by invite only)
- SIG Leaders Workshop on Monday (by invite only)
- $50 member discount
For details and updates on the above IGDA activities, please jump to the dedicated IGDA@GDC info page:
http://www.igda.org/gdc09/
=============================================
3: Mentors Needed for GDC 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. 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 on the Tuesday (March 24)
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 Jason Della Rocca (jason @ igda.org). Note that best efforts will be made to match each mentor with a student's given discipline, etc.
Overall details on the GDC Scholarship program are at:
http://www.igda.org/scholarships/
=================================================================
4: Global Game Jam: 15 countries, 42 sites, unlimited creativity!
=================================================================
Get ready for the Global Game Jam, a simultaneous event happening within the same 48 hours around the world. GGJ is the weekend of January 30 February 1, 2009, so catch up on your sleep and mark your calendars that you are going to be at a local Jam.
Some of the world's greatest developers were asked to help create the constraints and mechanics of the GGJ... Blow, Brathwaite, Church, Hecker, Lai, Schrieber, Sicart and Zimmerman. One of the game constraints in each time zone will be changed, mixing things up for everyone.
There are 42 different Jam host sites across 15 different countries. To check on sites close to you, get more info or sign up to participate, check out:
http://www.globalgamejam.org/
================================================
5: Casual Games SIG Quarterly - Fall '08 Edition
================================================
The IGDA's Casual Games SIG has published the fall 2008 edition of its quarterly newsletter, available at:
http://www.igda.org/casual/quarterly/3_2/igda_casual_game_quarterly_3_2.pdf
This issue covers social games, a Sherlock Holmes post mortem and a dissection of top 10 data from 2008.
===========================================
6: Leadership Forum Recap (now with slides)
===========================================
The IGDA welcomed nearly 400 producers, team leads and studio directors to San Francisco for its second annual Leadership Forum. Organized in conjunction with the IGDA's Production SIG, the conference focused on the nuts and bolts of team/project management, as well as the more intangible skills of leadership.
A new "content index" page has been posted. This page now includes links to each session's slides, summary/notes, speaker photo and bio, and session description:
http://www.igda.org/leadership/?page_id=137
Note, the videos of the recorded sessions will also be made available online for members in January (as well as for purchase on DVD).
=================
7: Columns Update
=================
Monthly columns have been updated:
Famous Last Words
-----------------
"NDAs: Bombs In the Boilerplate"
- Discussing potential dangers in non-disclusure agreements
http://www.igda.org/columns/lastwords/lastwords_Dec08.php
Culture Clash
-------------
"It's the Allegory, Stupid - Violence is just a proxy for progress"
- A look at killing as the easiest form of game advancement
http://www.igda.org/columns/clash/clash_Dec08.php
The Games Game
--------------
"Doing Instead of Dreaming"
- Some advice for getting out of the dreaming phase of chasing your dreams
http://www.igda.org/columns/gamesgame/gamesgame_Dec08.php
===========================
8: Chapter Meetings/Reports
===========================
Complete list of chapter reports and upcoming meetings:
http://www.igda.org/chapters/updates.php
Albany
Wednesday, December 17 > December Chapter Meeting
http://www.igda.org/albany
Silicon Valley
Wednesday, December 17 > Chapter Meeting/Social
http://www.siliconvalleyigda.org/
San Francisco
Report, November 19 > "Starting a Game Studio" at Dolby Labs
http://www.igda.org/sf/?p=29
Pittsburgh
Report, November 10 > 3rd Annual South Side Studio Crawl Recap
http://www.igda.org/pittsburgh/archives/2008/11/the_3rd_annual.html
Montreal
Report, November 5 > The Seeds of Spore
http://www.igda.org/montreal/archives/2008/11/the_seeds_of_sp.html
Japan
Report, November 1 > 3rd board Game play workshop Nov. 1 (IGDA JP blog)
http://www.igda.jp/modules/news/article.php?storyid=1513
Finland
Report, November 1 > IGDA Finland Season Report for 2007-2008 Season, part 1
http://igda.fi/?p=224
==================
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:
- Cal State Fullerton Extension
- Future Play Conference
- IGN Entertainment / FOX
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 - December 2008
===============================
=================
Table of Contents
=================
0: A Word From Jen MacLean
1: Call for Nominees: 2009 Board of Director Elections
2: IGDA Action at GDC 2009
3: Mentors Needed for GDC Scholarship Program
4: Global Game Jam: 15 countries, 42 sites, unlimited creativity!
5: Casual Games SIG Quarterly - Fall '08 Edition
6: Leadership Forum Recap (now with slides)
7: Columns Update
8: Chapter Meetings/Reports
x: Logistical Bits & Unsubscribe Info
=================
==========================
0: A Word From Jen MacLean
==========================
Dear Members and friends,
At the end of every year, I look back at the highs and lows, and 2008 gives me particular pleasure to recall.
From an IGDA perspective, we accomplished a number of important initiatives, like: we partnered with the Academy of Interactive Arts and Sciences to recognize excellence in our industry; we hosted our second Leadership Forum, providing a powerful tool for personal and professional development; our Education SIG planned the first Global Game Jam (see below), taking place next month; and we also hosted over 2,000 developers at our annual GDC members-only party.
As proud as I am of these accomplishments, however, there's much more to do. The IGDA Board met in November to identify our strategic priorities for 2009 as we look at the best ways to meet our mission of improving the lives of game developers through connecting members with their peers, promoting professional development, and advocating on issues that impact the developer community. I expect that at the end of next year, you'll be hearing kudos bestowed on the teams that launched a revamped IGDA web portal, expanded our event program, and increased our advocacy efforts on behalf of game developers.
These items are just a few activities that are underway to continue to make your membership in and involvement with the IGDA one of the most meaningful ways you can impact the industry - and your career in it. The close of the year is also a great opportunity to thank you for your ongoing support and to encourage you to share your ideas and enthusiasm with your peers by participating in special interest groups, attending a local chapter events, or emailing a Board member with your thoughts and suggestions.
Best wishes for a wonderful 2009!
- Jen MacLean
Chairperson, IGDA
SVP, Business Development, 38 Studios
****************************************
** Ad: GDC 2009 Session Content Live! **
****************************************
The 23rd annual Game Developers Conference returns to San Francisco's Moscone Center March 23-27, 2009. Get ready for a week of learning, networking, and inspiration as over 18,000 developers convene to further the digital entertainment industry. The GDC hosts top sessions, panels, roundtables and keynotes from select speakers worldwide. Evening events include the 11th annual Independent Games Festival and the 9th Annual Game Developers Choice Awards.
Now available for viewing are the latest sessions for Audio, Business Management, Game Design, Production, Programming and Visual Arts tracks as well as our full and half day Tutorials and our nine Summits.
Register by February 12, 2009 and save up to 30% on conference passes. IGDA Members get an additional $50 discount.
For more info and to register, jump to:
http://www.gdconf.com/?cid=GDC09_QUENX2
****************************************
======================================================
1: Call for Nominees: 2009 Board of Director Elections
======================================================
We would like to invite you to submit nominations for the IGDA Board of Directors. The 2009 election process has officially started, with voting set to take place in February. We are filling four open board seats. Nominations are due by Thursday, January 22nd.
The game industry is still developing both as a business and an art form. Influencing the industry's growth in positive directions requires leadership. If you care about making games and feel you could serve the IGDA, we strongly encourage you to contact us about your candidacy immediately. If you know someone you feel would contribute, please contact that person now and encourage him or her to run for an IGDA board seat.
Please review the complete details on the election and submission process:
http://www.igda.org/board/elections.php
http://www.igda.org/board/IGDA_Election_Manual.pdf
*******************************************
** Ad: The 6th Annual Mobile Games Forum **
*******************************************
21 22 January 2009
The Tower Hotel, London, UK
Now in its 6th year, the Mobile Games Forum is firmly established as the leading Mobile Games event in Europe. With the whole ecosystem present operators, publishers, developers, handset manufacturers and software providers all industry viewpoints will be represented. The unbeatable MGF09 speaker line-up includes over 40 cutting-edge viewpoints from industry leaders.
Special £499 independent developer rate and 15% discount for IGDA members; email andrew_mowbray@osneymedia.com or call +44 (0)207 336 4692 for details.
For event info and to register, jump to:
http://www.mobilegamesforum.co.uk/
*******************************************
==========================
2: IGDA Action at GDC 2009
==========================
Each year the IGDA works hard to maximize the GDC experience for our members and the game development community. Here's an outline of all the stuff the IGDA has cooking for the 2009 GDC.
- Members-Only Party on Tuesday night from 8pm to midnight at the Westin on Market
- IGDA Annual General Meeting on Thursday during lunch break
- Education Summit
- Localization Summit
- 24 SIG and committee meeting roundtable sessions
- 12 social gatherings
- Student Scholarship Program
- IGDA booth and members' area
- Members-Only t-shirt give-away
- Membership ribbons
- VIP Luncheon on Wednesday (by invite only)
- Chapter Coordinators Workshop on Monday (by invite only)
- SIG Leaders Workshop on Monday (by invite only)
- $50 member discount
For details and updates on the above IGDA activities, please jump to the dedicated IGDA@GDC info page:
http://www.igda.org/gdc09/
=============================================
3: Mentors Needed for GDC 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. 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 on the Tuesday (March 24)
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 Jason Della Rocca (jason @ igda.org). Note that best efforts will be made to match each mentor with a student's given discipline, etc.
Overall details on the GDC Scholarship program are at:
http://www.igda.org/scholarships/
=================================================================
4: Global Game Jam: 15 countries, 42 sites, unlimited creativity!
=================================================================
Get ready for the Global Game Jam, a simultaneous event happening within the same 48 hours around the world. GGJ is the weekend of January 30 February 1, 2009, so catch up on your sleep and mark your calendars that you are going to be at a local Jam.
Some of the world's greatest developers were asked to help create the constraints and mechanics of the GGJ... Blow, Brathwaite, Church, Hecker, Lai, Schrieber, Sicart and Zimmerman. One of the game constraints in each time zone will be changed, mixing things up for everyone.
There are 42 different Jam host sites across 15 different countries. To check on sites close to you, get more info or sign up to participate, check out:
http://www.globalgamejam.org/
================================================
5: Casual Games SIG Quarterly - Fall '08 Edition
================================================
The IGDA's Casual Games SIG has published the fall 2008 edition of its quarterly newsletter, available at:
http://www.igda.org/casual/quarterly/3_2/igda_casual_game_quarterly_3_2.pdf
This issue covers social games, a Sherlock Holmes post mortem and a dissection of top 10 data from 2008.
===========================================
6: Leadership Forum Recap (now with slides)
===========================================
The IGDA welcomed nearly 400 producers, team leads and studio directors to San Francisco for its second annual Leadership Forum. Organized in conjunction with the IGDA's Production SIG, the conference focused on the nuts and bolts of team/project management, as well as the more intangible skills of leadership.
A new "content index" page has been posted. This page now includes links to each session's slides, summary/notes, speaker photo and bio, and session description:
http://www.igda.org/leadership/?page_id=137
Note, the videos of the recorded sessions will also be made available online for members in January (as well as for purchase on DVD).
=================
7: Columns Update
=================
Monthly columns have been updated:
Famous Last Words
-----------------
"NDAs: Bombs In the Boilerplate"
- Discussing potential dangers in non-disclusure agreements
http://www.igda.org/columns/lastwords/lastwords_Dec08.php
Culture Clash
-------------
"It's the Allegory, Stupid - Violence is just a proxy for progress"
- A look at killing as the easiest form of game advancement
http://www.igda.org/columns/clash/clash_Dec08.php
The Games Game
--------------
"Doing Instead of Dreaming"
- Some advice for getting out of the dreaming phase of chasing your dreams
http://www.igda.org/columns/gamesgame/gamesgame_Dec08.php
===========================
8: Chapter Meetings/Reports
===========================
Complete list of chapter reports and upcoming meetings:
http://www.igda.org/chapters/updates.php
Albany
Wednesday, December 17 > December Chapter Meeting
http://www.igda.org/albany
Silicon Valley
Wednesday, December 17 > Chapter Meeting/Social
http://www.siliconvalleyigda.org/
San Francisco
Report, November 19 > "Starting a Game Studio" at Dolby Labs
http://www.igda.org/sf/?p=29
Pittsburgh
Report, November 10 > 3rd Annual South Side Studio Crawl Recap
http://www.igda.org/pittsburgh/archives/2008/11/the_3rd_annual.html
Montreal
Report, November 5 > The Seeds of Spore
http://www.igda.org/montreal/archives/2008/11/the_seeds_of_sp.html
Japan
Report, November 1 > 3rd board Game play workshop Nov. 1 (IGDA JP blog)
http://www.igda.jp/modules/news/article.php?storyid=1513
Finland
Report, November 1 > IGDA Finland Season Report for 2007-2008 Season, part 1
http://igda.fi/?p=224
==================
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:
- Cal State Fullerton Extension
- Future Play Conference
- IGN Entertainment / FOX
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 - 12:08 PM
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