IGDA Newsletter - November 2002

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IGDA Newsletter - November 2002
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0.0 A Word From Graeme Devine

1 IGDA News
1.1 Choice Awards Advisory Board Named
1.2 Negotiating Development Contracts
1.3 Charne on Mod Contract Concerns
1.4 Chapter Updates & News

2 From the Wire
- Games Making a Tough Business
- Europe Implements New Age Rating System
- ESA Raises $700k for Kid Charities
- UK Gov Proud of Games
- GTA: Vice City - Sales and Criticisms Start Rolling In
- Fantasy Violence Good for Kids?
- Girl Gamer Manifesto
- Gamers Getting Older
- Games Influence the Classroom
- High-Stakes Simulations
- Racial Barriers Up and Down
- Move Over Boys

3 Events, Benefits & Services Update
3.1 Updated Member Benefits
3.2 Upcoming Events

4 Logistical Bits
4.1 Thanks to our Sponsors and Partners!
4.2 IGDA Registration
4.3 Contact Information
========================================



=============================
0.0 A Word From Graeme Devine
=============================


Dear IGDA Members and friends,


When the heck did it get to be November? All of a sudden it's cold, Santa
is on everyone's mind, and all that's keeping us warm are the power supplies


in our consoles and computers.


I've been playing a bunch of games recently, and I've become really struck
with the sheer quality of the offerings that are out there this year. We
seem to have crossed a threshold and entered into a new era; the tales
told, the quality of the environment, game design, and thought put into the
experience has brought tears to my happy face. Or, that could be too many
hours in front of the TV...


Although our industry has sometimes pushed technology over game design, the
reign of the "good game" seems to be returning as technology has become
powerful enough to do basically anything the designer can think of. I've
never been so proud of our industry as I am this holiday season. And I
don't even have a new game out there!


Lots of goodness as usual in the newsletter this month. Scroll on down to
the contents, grab a cup of eggnog, put another log on the fire, and settle
on in. We're jammin'!



Graeme Devine
Chairperson, IGDA





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



1.1 Choice Awards Advisory Board Named
--------------------------------------
The advisors for the 3rd annual Game Developers Choice Awards have been
named. Our sincerest thanks go out to the Advisory Board for their guidance
and dedication, making the Choice Awards a reality. Nominations begin
January 3rd.


http://www.igda.org/awards/pr_2002_1112.htm


http://www.igda.org/awards/board.htm




1.2 Negotiating Development Contracts
-------------------------------------
A new article covering the basics of development contract negotiations has
been posted. The article discusses such topics as royalties, milestones,
copyrights, cross-collateralization and other important topics for studios
entering development deals.


http://www.igda.org/Endeavors/Articles/behr-wallace_contracts.htm




1.3 Charne on Mod Contract Concerns
-----------------------------------
Jim Charne has updated his "Famous Last Words" column with comments on
contract concerns for developers that allow mods to be developed and
distributed for their games.


http://www.igda.org/Services/Legal/lastwords/lastwords.htm




1.5 Chapter Updates & News
--------------------------
Many IGDA chapters held meetings recently, and several provided great
summary reports:


- Albany has a new IGDA chapter:
http://www.igda.org/Chapters/albany.htm



- Austin welcomed Richard Garriott:
http://www.austingamedevelopers.org/2002-10-30/index.html



- Dallas has a new IGDA chapter:
http://www.dallasigda.org/



- Lyon a big first meeting:
http://www.igda.org/Chapters/lyon/200210.htm



- Montreal was lectured by Vicarious Visions:
http://www.igda.org/montreal/reports/summary_Nov02.htm



- The North Carolina Triangle chapter had a great first meeting:
http://www.igda.org/nctriangle/meeting_oct02.htm



- Paris continues to discuss serious industry issues:
http://igda.paris.free.fr/paris/chapter_report_nov02.htm



- San Diego discussed the state of the industry:
http://www.igda.org/Chapters/sandiego/sandiego_summary_Sep02.htm



- San Francisco learned about design rules from Noah Falstein:
http://www.igda.org/Chapters/bayarea/bayarea_summary_Nov02.htm



- Vancouver has a successful first chapter meeting:
http://www.igda.org/Chapters/vancouver.htm



- Vienna chapter met for the first time:
http://www.igda.org/Chapters/vienna/vienna_meeting_11_2002.htm



Many chapters (Chicago, Phoenix, Guildford, San Francisco, Boston and
others) will meet in the coming weeks. Check the Chapter Calendar for dates
and details:


http://www.igda.org/Chapters/chapters_calendar.htm




===============
2 From the Wire
===============


Games Making a Tough Business
http://www.igda.org/About/Press/news_item.php?nid=454



Europe Implements New Age Rating System
http://www.igda.org/About/Press/news_item.php?nid=456



ESA Raises $700k for Kid Charities
http://www.igda.org/About/Press/news_item.php?nid=457



UK Gov Proud of Games
http://www.igda.org/About/Press/news_item.php?nid=461



GTA: Vice City - Sales and Criticisms Start Rolling In
http://www.igda.org/About/Press/news_item.php?nid=462



Fantasy Violence Good for Kids?
http://www.igda.org/About/Press/news_item.php?nid=463



Girl Gamer Manifesto
http://www.igda.org/About/Press/news_item.php?nid=465



Gamers Getting Older
http://www.igda.org/About/Press/news_item.php?nid=466



Games Influence the Classroom
http://www.igda.org/About/Press/news_item.php?nid=467



High-Stakes Simulations
http://www.igda.org/About/Press/news_item.php?nid=468



Racial Barriers Up and Down
http://www.igda.org/About/Press/news_item.php?nid=469



Move Over Boys
http://www.igda.org/About/Press/news_item.php?nid=471




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3 Events, Benefits & Services Update
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3.1 Member Discount
-------------------


GDC Registration Discount:
All IGDA members enjoy a $50 discount on GDC registration. The Gama Network
recently announced the opening of registration for the Game Developers
Conference, which will be held in San Jose, CA from March 4-8, 2003. The
preliminary conference schedule is available, and conference classes will
continue to be added over the coming months. Early registration prices are
currently in effect. Discounted prices end on February 5th.


http://www.gdconf.com/



Springer Books Discount:
Springer is now offering all IGDA members a 10% discount. Springer
specializes in technical and scientific texts. Check the member benefits
page for further details:


http://www.igda.org/Membership/Benefits/benefits.htm#publication_discounts




3.2 Upcoming Events
-------------------


The Dynamics of Games & Mobile Games
http://www.ibctelecoms.com/games?src=igda
26-27 November, London, UK



GAME-ON
http://biomath.rug.ac.be/%7Escs/conf/gameon2002/index.html
29-30 November, London, UK



The Game Connection
http://www.game-connection.net/
4-5 December, Lyon, France



International Congress on Technology and Innovation for Entertainment Games
http://www.gamenetpr.com.br/congresso
4-5 December, Brazil



Australian Game Developers Conference
http://www.agdc.com.au/
6-8 December, Melbourne, Australia



profile intermedia 5
http://www.profile-intermedia.de/
6-8 December, Bremen, Germany



International Conference on Generative Art
http://www.generativeart.com/
11-13 December, Milan, Italy



International Conference on Mobile and Ubiquitous Multimedia
http://www.mum2002.oulu.fi/
12-14 December, Oulu, Finland



Conference on Application and Development of Computer Games
http://www.adcog.org/
6-7 January, Hong Kong




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


4.1 Thanks to our Sponsors and Partners!
----------------------------------------
The IGDA extends its sincerest thanks to all our sponsors and partners!


Without their support, and the continued backing from the developer
community, the IGDA simply would not survive - let alone thrive.


Akin, Gump, Strauss, Hauer & Feld, LLP
Alias|Wavefront
Criterion Software
Gama Network
Intrinsic Graphics
Mary-Margaret.com
Microsoft Research


Get more info online:
http://www.igda.org/About/Sponsors/sponsors.htm
http://www.igda.org/About/Alliances/alliances.htm




4.2 IGDA Registration
---------------------
Your support is critical to the success of the IGDA, and our industry. Our
membership is made up of programmers, designers, artists, producers and
many other development professionals who see the importance of working
together to advance games and game development as a craft. There are dozens
of reasons to join the IGDA, ranging from personal career advancement to
more lofty industry-wide goals.


What are you waiting for? Join today!
http://www.igda.org/join


Or refer a friend to win prizes:
http://www.igda.org/Membership/Referrals/referrals.htm




4.3 Contact Information
-----------------------
Contact our membership coordinator if you have questions, comments or input.


Liz Wakefield
IGDA membership coordinator
liz@igda.org