IGDA Newsletter - November 2004
===============================
IGDA Newsletter -
===============================
===========================
Table of Contents
===========================
0: A Word From Jesse Schell
1: IGDA News
- Open Letter: Quality of Life Issues are Holding Back the Game Industry
- IGDA's GDC Scholarship Program Now Accepting Applications
- Online Games Quarterly
- Diversity - The Invisible Hurdle
- Columns Update
2: Chapter Meetings/Reports
3: From the Wires
- Child's Play Charity
- D&AD Awards 2005 launch their new category for Console Games
- Game developers, governments in love/hate relationships
- Irish games industry shoots for success
- Chinese Government To Fund 'Healthy' Videogames
- Doug Lowenstein, ESA President, Addresses Audience at ChinaJoy Game Show
- The growing divide between game publishers and developers
- Startups experiment with online distribution
- The New Studio Model
- They thought of stars
- Game Republic launches unique new prototype production model
- Developing for a Mature Audience
- Carding Programs Get Pro-Active
- Game mocks real tragedy, gang experts say
- Controversial Game Recreates Kennedy Assassination
- Heavy Price for Free Speech
- Online Feuds a Big Headache
- Marvel Battles Role Players
- Getting a Degree in EA
- Gaming with a disability
4: Logistical Bits
===========================
===========================
0: A Word From Jesse Schell
===========================
Dear Members and friends,
I keep a little sign in my office that says "MAKING GAMES IS FUN". I use it as
an emotional barometer. If the sign ever seems ironic or sarcastic, I know that
something is wrong with the way I am making games, and I try to fix it immediately.
Unfortunately, recent events (lawsuits, the spouse letter, etc) make clear that
there are far too many people making games in an atmosphere that is anything
but fun.
Crunch time is a fact of life for game developers. Of course we are going to
work late sometimes; we love what we do. Our work is challenging, rewarding,
and just plain fun. That said, it is one thing to work extra hours on a project
for the sheer joy of it, or to beat an occasional deadline, and quite another
to have them mandated on an ongoing basis. Exploitative mandates take unfair
advantage of our passion to do great work, and slowly choke that passion to death,
leaving behind a burnt-out husk of disgust and regret.
The game industry now has such a reputation for abusing its workers that as an
educator, I frequently speak with talented students who have changed their career
plans away from the game industry, because the idea of mandatory 60-80+ hour
work weeks is repugnant to them. And of course, these are generally the wisest,
most insightful students the ones that this industry really needs.
We *must* find a way to reverse this self-destructive trend. As a start, I urge
you all to read the IGDA Quality of Life Whitepaper (http://www.igda.org/qol/),
and to share your thoughts about how we can work together to stop this plague
of joyless overwork. You might start by hanging up a little sign.
- Jesse Schell
Chairperson, IGDA
Professor of Entertainment Technology, Carnegie Mellon University
CEO, Schell Games
============
1: IGDA News
============
Open Letter: Quality of Life Issues are Holding Back the Game Industry
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Despite the continued success of the games industry, the immaturity of
current business and production practices is severely crippling the industry
. The recent frenzy of discussion over impassioned testimony about the horrible
working conditions within much of the industry attests to the reality of this
often unspoken disease.
As the professional association that unites the game development community and
serves as its voice, the International Game Developers Association is deeply
disturbed by this vicious cycle and is working to better the situation. Improving
the quality of life of game developers is an IGDA priority.
Continue reading the open letter...
http://www.igda.org/qol/open_letter.php
IGDA's GDC Scholarship Program Now Accepting Applications
---------------------------------------------------------
The IGDA has just launched the 5th 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 Tuesday, January 18, 2004. Recipients will be
announced in early February.
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/
Online Games Quarterly
----------------------
The IGDA's Online Games SIG is proud to announce that the inaugural issue of
the Online Games Quarterly has been released.
http://www.igda.org/online/quarterly/1_1/
The idea for this e-publication grew out of a discussion at the 2004 GDC among
members of the SIG. The group felt that a smaller publication released at more
regular intervals would compliment the annual papers and serve as a place to
highlight industry peers throughout the year. In this first issue, you'll find
interviews with developers and industry analysts. In the future, letters to the
editor, opinion pieces, and feature articles will be added.
Diversity - The Invisible Hurdle
--------------------------------
The IGDA is ramping up efforts to increase diversity within the games
industry. The "Invisible Hurdle" article hopes to kick-start further
discussion. Here's an excerpt:
"The video game community, with its international appeal and its proven
track record as a successful entity in the financial arena, would benefit economically,
educationally and ethically if it were to diversify (i.e. be culturally diverse)
for maximum returns."
Continue reading "The Invisible Hurdle"...
http://www.igda.org/articles/jsaulter_diversity.php
For more on the IGDA's initial efforts in this space, including sessions at GDC,
please jump to:
http://www.igda.org/diversity/
Columns Update
--------------
Monthly columns updated for this month:
- The Ivory Tower:
What Mastery of Which Arts?
http://www.igda.org/columns/ivorytower/ivory_Nov04.php
- Famous Last Words:
Timing is Everything
http://www.igda.org/columns/lastwords/lastwords_Nov04.php
- Culture Clash:
Bride of IP - Rethinking creativity
http://www.igda.org/columns/clash/clash_Nov04.php
- The Games Game:
A Serious Side to Games
http://www.igda.org/columns/gamesgame/gamesgame_Nov04.php
===========================
2: Chapter Meetings/Reports
===========================
Complete list of chapter reports and upcoming meetings:
http://www.igda.org/chapters/updates.php
Dallas
Meeting, December > Dallas IGDA Christmas Party - sponsored by nVidia
http://www.dallasigda.org/
Colorado
Meeting, December > Special Holiday Meeting at GameScape PC Gaming Center
http://coloradogamedev.org/
Dallas
Meeting, December > Developer on the Job Training: Dallas IGDA goes to
Tactical Tanks
http://www.dallasigda.org/
Seattle
Meeting, December > IGF Student Showcase Review 2004
http://www.igda.org/seattle/meet.htm
Montreal
Meeting, December > David Perry Tells All + Charity Raffle
http://www.igda.org/montreal/index_e.htm#next
Melbourne
Report, November > Inaugural Meeting a Great Success
http://igda.somee.com/meetings.aspx
San Francisco
Report, November > Kathy Schoback: Digital Distribution for Developers
http://www.igda.org/sf/
Michigan South
Report, November > Postmortem of The Political Machine by Brad Wardell of StarDock
http://www.igda.org/smichigan/Nov04/report.html
Montreal
Report, November > Montreal Game Summit report and pictures
http://www.igda.org/blogs/realitypanic/archives/000232.html
New Jersey North
Report, November > October Meeting
http://blender.rutgers.edu/~njigda/meetings/200410.php
Colorado
Report, November > Serious Games Meeting
http://www.coloradogamedev.org/20041101.html
=================
3: From the Wires
=================
News stories and articles from around the Web...
Child's Play Charity
http://www.childsplaycharity.org/
D&AD Awards 2005 launch their new category for Console Games
http://www.dandad.org/awards/
Game developers, governments in love/hate relationships
http://tinyurl.com/5w638
Irish games industry shoots for success
http://www.siliconrepublic.com/news/news4a.nv?storyid=single3975
Chinese Government To Fund 'Healthy' Videogames
http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=4429
Doug Lowenstein, ESA President, Addresses Audience at ChinaJoy Game Show
http://www.theesa.com/10_4_2004.html
The growing divide between game publishers and developers
http://money.cnn.com/2004/11/15/commentary/game_over/column_gaming/index.htm
Startups experiment with online distribution
http://tinyurl.com/5hjlo
The New Studio Model
http://www.gamasutra.com/features/20041029/roch_01.shtml
They thought of stars
http://tinyurl.com/5otcg
Game Republic launches unique new prototype production model
http://www.gamesindustry.biz/content_page.php?aid=5432
Developing for a Mature Audience
http://biz.gamedaily.com/features.asp?article_id=8179§ion=feature
Carding Programs Get Pro-Active
http://biz.gamedaily.com/features.asp?article_id=8135§ion=feature
Game mocks real tragedy, gang experts say
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6409148/
Controversial Game Recreates Kennedy Assassination
http://biz.gamedaily.com/features.asp?article_id=8400§ion=feature
Heavy Price for Free Speech
http://www.wired.com/news/games/0,2101,65532,00.html
Online Feuds a Big Headache
http://www.wired.com/news/games/0,2101,65562,00.html
Marvel Battles Role Players
http://www.wired.com/news/games/0,2101,65722,00.html?tw=rss.TOP
Getting a Degree in EA
http://grandtextauto.gatech.edu/2004/11/14/getting-a-degree-in-ea/
Gaming with a disability
http://tinyurl.com/7yw4a
==================
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:
- Institut National de l'Image et du Son
- Microsoft Research
- VxO Networks
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
-----------------------
You can update your subscription details via your MyProfile page:
http://www.igda.org/membership/myprofile.php
If you need help, contact us.
IGDA Membership
---------------
Your support is critical to the success of the IGDA and our industry.
There are dozens of reasons to join the IGDA, ranging from personal career advancement
to more lofty industry-wide goals.
Join today:
http://www.igda.org/join
Contact Information
-------------------
Please contact us if you have questions, comments or input.
http://www.igda.org/contact.php
-------
- end -
-------
IGDA Newsletter -
===============================
===========================
Table of Contents
===========================
0: A Word From Jesse Schell
1: IGDA News
- Open Letter: Quality of Life Issues are Holding Back the Game Industry
- IGDA's GDC Scholarship Program Now Accepting Applications
- Online Games Quarterly
- Diversity - The Invisible Hurdle
- Columns Update
2: Chapter Meetings/Reports
3: From the Wires
- Child's Play Charity
- D&AD Awards 2005 launch their new category for Console Games
- Game developers, governments in love/hate relationships
- Irish games industry shoots for success
- Chinese Government To Fund 'Healthy' Videogames
- Doug Lowenstein, ESA President, Addresses Audience at ChinaJoy Game Show
- The growing divide between game publishers and developers
- Startups experiment with online distribution
- The New Studio Model
- They thought of stars
- Game Republic launches unique new prototype production model
- Developing for a Mature Audience
- Carding Programs Get Pro-Active
- Game mocks real tragedy, gang experts say
- Controversial Game Recreates Kennedy Assassination
- Heavy Price for Free Speech
- Online Feuds a Big Headache
- Marvel Battles Role Players
- Getting a Degree in EA
- Gaming with a disability
4: Logistical Bits
===========================
===========================
0: A Word From Jesse Schell
===========================
Dear Members and friends,
I keep a little sign in my office that says "MAKING GAMES IS FUN". I use it as
an emotional barometer. If the sign ever seems ironic or sarcastic, I know that
something is wrong with the way I am making games, and I try to fix it immediately.
Unfortunately, recent events (lawsuits, the spouse letter, etc) make clear that
there are far too many people making games in an atmosphere that is anything
but fun.
Crunch time is a fact of life for game developers. Of course we are going to
work late sometimes; we love what we do. Our work is challenging, rewarding,
and just plain fun. That said, it is one thing to work extra hours on a project
for the sheer joy of it, or to beat an occasional deadline, and quite another
to have them mandated on an ongoing basis. Exploitative mandates take unfair
advantage of our passion to do great work, and slowly choke that passion to death,
leaving behind a burnt-out husk of disgust and regret.
The game industry now has such a reputation for abusing its workers that as an
educator, I frequently speak with talented students who have changed their career
plans away from the game industry, because the idea of mandatory 60-80+ hour
work weeks is repugnant to them. And of course, these are generally the wisest,
most insightful students the ones that this industry really needs.
We *must* find a way to reverse this self-destructive trend. As a start, I urge
you all to read the IGDA Quality of Life Whitepaper (http://www.igda.org/qol/),
and to share your thoughts about how we can work together to stop this plague
of joyless overwork. You might start by hanging up a little sign.
- Jesse Schell
Chairperson, IGDA
Professor of Entertainment Technology, Carnegie Mellon University
CEO, Schell Games
============
1: IGDA News
============
Open Letter: Quality of Life Issues are Holding Back the Game Industry
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Despite the continued success of the games industry, the immaturity of
current business and production practices is severely crippling the industry
. The recent frenzy of discussion over impassioned testimony about the horrible
working conditions within much of the industry attests to the reality of this
often unspoken disease.
As the professional association that unites the game development community and
serves as its voice, the International Game Developers Association is deeply
disturbed by this vicious cycle and is working to better the situation. Improving
the quality of life of game developers is an IGDA priority.
Continue reading the open letter...
http://www.igda.org/qol/open_letter.php
IGDA's GDC Scholarship Program Now Accepting Applications
---------------------------------------------------------
The IGDA has just launched the 5th 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 Tuesday, January 18, 2004. Recipients will be
announced in early February.
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/
Online Games Quarterly
----------------------
The IGDA's Online Games SIG is proud to announce that the inaugural issue of
the Online Games Quarterly has been released.
http://www.igda.org/online/quarterly/1_1/
The idea for this e-publication grew out of a discussion at the 2004 GDC among
members of the SIG. The group felt that a smaller publication released at more
regular intervals would compliment the annual papers and serve as a place to
highlight industry peers throughout the year. In this first issue, you'll find
interviews with developers and industry analysts. In the future, letters to the
editor, opinion pieces, and feature articles will be added.
Diversity - The Invisible Hurdle
--------------------------------
The IGDA is ramping up efforts to increase diversity within the games
industry. The "Invisible Hurdle" article hopes to kick-start further
discussion. Here's an excerpt:
"The video game community, with its international appeal and its proven
track record as a successful entity in the financial arena, would benefit economically,
educationally and ethically if it were to diversify (i.e. be culturally diverse)
for maximum returns."
Continue reading "The Invisible Hurdle"...
http://www.igda.org/articles/jsaulter_diversity.php
For more on the IGDA's initial efforts in this space, including sessions at GDC,
please jump to:
http://www.igda.org/diversity/
Columns Update
--------------
Monthly columns updated for this month:
- The Ivory Tower:
What Mastery of Which Arts?
http://www.igda.org/columns/ivorytower/ivory_Nov04.php
- Famous Last Words:
Timing is Everything
http://www.igda.org/columns/lastwords/lastwords_Nov04.php
- Culture Clash:
Bride of IP - Rethinking creativity
http://www.igda.org/columns/clash/clash_Nov04.php
- The Games Game:
A Serious Side to Games
http://www.igda.org/columns/gamesgame/gamesgame_Nov04.php
===========================
2: Chapter Meetings/Reports
===========================
Complete list of chapter reports and upcoming meetings:
http://www.igda.org/chapters/updates.php
Dallas
Meeting, December > Dallas IGDA Christmas Party - sponsored by nVidia
http://www.dallasigda.org/
Colorado
Meeting, December > Special Holiday Meeting at GameScape PC Gaming Center
http://coloradogamedev.org/
Dallas
Meeting, December > Developer on the Job Training: Dallas IGDA goes to
Tactical Tanks
http://www.dallasigda.org/
Seattle
Meeting, December > IGF Student Showcase Review 2004
http://www.igda.org/seattle/meet.htm
Montreal
Meeting, December > David Perry Tells All + Charity Raffle
http://www.igda.org/montreal/index_e.htm#next
Melbourne
Report, November > Inaugural Meeting a Great Success
http://igda.somee.com/meetings.aspx
San Francisco
Report, November > Kathy Schoback: Digital Distribution for Developers
http://www.igda.org/sf/
Michigan South
Report, November > Postmortem of The Political Machine by Brad Wardell of StarDock
http://www.igda.org/smichigan/Nov04/report.html
Montreal
Report, November > Montreal Game Summit report and pictures
http://www.igda.org/blogs/realitypanic/archives/000232.html
New Jersey North
Report, November > October Meeting
http://blender.rutgers.edu/~njigda/meetings/200410.php
Colorado
Report, November > Serious Games Meeting
http://www.coloradogamedev.org/20041101.html
=================
3: From the Wires
=================
News stories and articles from around the Web...
Child's Play Charity
http://www.childsplaycharity.org/
D&AD Awards 2005 launch their new category for Console Games
http://www.dandad.org/awards/
Game developers, governments in love/hate relationships
http://tinyurl.com/5w638
Irish games industry shoots for success
http://www.siliconrepublic.com/news/news4a.nv?storyid=single3975
Chinese Government To Fund 'Healthy' Videogames
http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=4429
Doug Lowenstein, ESA President, Addresses Audience at ChinaJoy Game Show
http://www.theesa.com/10_4_2004.html
The growing divide between game publishers and developers
http://money.cnn.com/2004/11/15/commentary/game_over/column_gaming/index.htm
Startups experiment with online distribution
http://tinyurl.com/5hjlo
The New Studio Model
http://www.gamasutra.com/features/20041029/roch_01.shtml
They thought of stars
http://tinyurl.com/5otcg
Game Republic launches unique new prototype production model
http://www.gamesindustry.biz/content_page.php?aid=5432
Developing for a Mature Audience
http://biz.gamedaily.com/features.asp?article_id=8179§ion=feature
Carding Programs Get Pro-Active
http://biz.gamedaily.com/features.asp?article_id=8135§ion=feature
Game mocks real tragedy, gang experts say
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6409148/
Controversial Game Recreates Kennedy Assassination
http://biz.gamedaily.com/features.asp?article_id=8400§ion=feature
Heavy Price for Free Speech
http://www.wired.com/news/games/0,2101,65532,00.html
Online Feuds a Big Headache
http://www.wired.com/news/games/0,2101,65562,00.html
Marvel Battles Role Players
http://www.wired.com/news/games/0,2101,65722,00.html?tw=rss.TOP
Getting a Degree in EA
http://grandtextauto.gatech.edu/2004/11/14/getting-a-degree-in-ea/
Gaming with a disability
http://tinyurl.com/7yw4a
==================
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:
- Institut National de l'Image et du Son
- Microsoft Research
- VxO Networks
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
-----------------------
You can update your subscription details via your MyProfile page:
http://www.igda.org/membership/myprofile.php
If you need help, contact us.
IGDA Membership
---------------
Your support is critical to the success of the IGDA and our industry.
There are dozens of reasons to join the IGDA, ranging from personal career advancement
to more lofty industry-wide goals.
Join today:
http://www.igda.org/join
Contact Information
-------------------
Please contact us if you have questions, comments or input.
http://www.igda.org/contact.php
-------
- end -
-------
Last updated:
09/25/2009 - 2:59 PM
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