Mike Worth 2010 Board Statement

 
Contact Mike

Owner, Game Music, Inc.

Co-Founder and Director of Business Development - Space Whale Studios
Co-Founder - VGI Philadelphia

 Candidate Position Statement:

These are exciting times for our industry. New platforms, audiences, distribution channels, monetization strategies, and business structures provide us all with the opportunity to do what we love, make games for others to enjoy. We are fortunate that our industry has the power to bring pleasure to so many people in a world that is so often in need of good entertainment.

 Through networking, collaboration and education, I will help to make the IGDA the central hub connecting the professional game development community. Now more than ever, professional developers at all levels can benefit from education on the business, art, technology, and craft of game creation.

 I am continually humbled to be among the many passionate, committed, and talented people found in every facet of our industry. Together I know we can bring the IGDA to the new heights.

 My background -- Okay, yes, I have grown up loving video games. And, I'm old enough to remember playing the Atari 2600 (Yar's Revenge FTW!). Professionally, I've worked as a C++ programmer at CSC Consulting, and a Technology Lead at the Wharton Business School. I started in the game development community three years ago in Philadelphia, and jumped right into the studio process, co-founding Space Whale Studios. I’ve spent the last year working tirelessly to grow Philadelphia's video game industry and community through VGI Philly, an organization I founded. VGI Philly helped organize and promote the Game X Industry Summit, which brought developers from 7 cities to Philadelphia to experience lectures many successful East Coast studios.

If elected to the board, I will prioritize the following initiatives:

• Webinars, articles, and blogs to help educate professional game developers on the art, craft, and business of creating, monetizing, and marketing games.

• High-value "GDC Quality" lecture and panel discussions.

• Industry mentoring for people just entering the industry, including how to interview for a game industry job and choosing your career focus.

Candidate Bio:

Mike has written articles on game audio for Game Career Guide, and has presented about Game Audio at The University of Pennsylvania, the 2009 Global Creative Economy Summit, and the Game X Industry Summit. Mike is one of the founders of Philadelphia-based Space Whale Studios, an independent studio that is developing hard-core tactical game experiences for Premium Flash and XBLA platforms. Mike is also the co-founder of VGI Philadelphia, an organization dedicated to promoting, growing, and supporting the professional game development community in Philadelphia.

Candidate volunteer credits:

Presenter at Philadelphia IGDA: 2008-2009
IGDA Webinar Presenter: 2010
IGDA Audio SIG Founder and Chair: 2009
IDGA Audio SIG Steering Committee: 2010
Co-Producer for 2009 GameX Industry Summit (involved the collaboration between Boston, NY, NJ, Philadelphia, and Baltimore IGDA chapters): 2009

Board Interview Q and A:

1.  What do you see as the biggest challenge facing game developers today?  What should the IGDA's role be in addressing that challenge?

The largest challenge that I see today is that, because of the new creation and distribution models (iPhone, downloadable console games, etc.), is that game developers now have the ability to jump into the industry without a "coaching/mentoring" phase. I feel as if many developers do not think about the technical, creative, and business skillsets necessary to become a full-time industry professional. And these skillsets are necessary to build and sustain a career in our industry. I feel the IGDA's role in addressing this challenge is to provide quality mentoring and education to game developers at all levels, helping them think about the art and business of game development in everything they do. I also think the IGDA should "connect" the newer game professionals at the beginning of their career with individuals whom are further along, as a way to continue to replenish and refresh our industry.

2.  How do you expect to contribute to the IGDA Board?  What qualifications or skills do you possess that will enhance your contributions

I see three ways that I can contribute to the Board.

First, I consider myself a versatile communicator, who can create networking opportunities for the IGDA at all levels. As the IGDA continues to become more relevant to large publishers and studios, it's important to have people on the board who can communicate at all levels of the industry. My ability to be equally comfortable talking to industry professionals such as the Audio Director of Microsoft, or the creative director of Ubisoft, and 19-year old students from Drexel University makes me a valuable addition to the IGDA's mission of growth and community interaction.
Second, I have developed strong skills in the entrepreneurial industry, and can teach those skills effectively to our members. My first two businesses (Film, TV, and Game Audio) have both turned profits during the first year, and have garnered me major film and TV credits, and an Emmy award. The fact that I can do this while living in Philadelphia, which has no entertainment industry to speak of, is a testament to my ability to develop small businesses and make them successful on a larger level. These skills are directly applicable to today's generation of game developer, and part of my mission is to coach our members on these skills, to help them live their dream. In fact, I'm doing an IGDA webinar in 4 weeks with VGI Philly that's talking about these skills!

Third, I am a visionary. One of the three roles that a board member can occupy is that of "visionary". I believe that our industry is in a state of great potential and exciting new paths. I envision new studios growing up all around the world, using new ideas and models to design and ship never-before-seen games. I envision a stronger industry community, with high-value industry events happening in addition to the GDC's. I envision a continuing solidarity of the East Coast Game Development Community, with shared resources, advice, and business opportunities. And finally, I envision our industry becoming the new standard for creative outlets, where people can explore unforgettable ways to emotionally and physically entertain people.

Not all of my visions may come true. But, just the act of imagining and pursuing those visions will effect great change! In the 9 months since starting VGI Philly, I have gotten the City of Philadelphia and the state of Pennsylvania to begin enticing game studios to the region. I've developed personal relationships with some of the highest rated venture capital companies on the East Coast. And, along with 4 other Philly game devs, I have co-founded Space Whale Studios, which is pitching to Microsoft this winter. All this came about because of my vision that Philly can be a great place for game developers. I think that someone with my passion and vision will greatly benefit the IGDA board.

3. How much time do you expect to volunteer to the IGDA?  How will you manage this commitment?

As a board member, I can realistically see offering about 10-12 hours per week to the IGDA. The best way I manage it is the way I manage all my projects... I'll set up self-imposed deliverables and milestones, and check in regularly with my dependents to let them know where I'm at, what my stumbling blocks (if any) I have encountered, and my next set of short term steps to finish my tasks.  It's the way I produced the GameX Industry Summit, and it worked pretty well!

4. As an IGDA board member, you're often asked to get things done on a short timeframe and tight budget.  What do you think a reasonable expectation of a board member's contribution is?  How will you accomplish your goals as a board member?

Honestly, the greatest strength that an IGDA board member can bring to a task is his or her passion and excitement. We all know that we are doing volunteer work for the IGDA because we believe in the organization's mission, the members' well-being, and the continued healthy growth of the video game industry. Knowing that motivates me to find ways to exchange value, keep costs down, and excite volunteers to help with initiatives. This is one of the strengths I bring to the IGDA board, my almost limitless energy, and passionate enthusiasm. Often, that alone will galvanize organizations and individuals to help out a worthy cause. Referring again to VGI Philly, we have a great core team that drives our work; and part of why we work together well is that we excite and inspire one-another. If we bring that energy to the IGDA, we're going to see some fantastic growth and initiatives!