New Orleans

This month we are trying something a bit different.  In preparation for a local Game Jam we are hoping to organize for the summer, Kevin O'Gorman will be hosting a Game Design Workshop.  The workshop will cover some of the basic concepts involved in game design and creating player experiences.  We won't be doing anything digital this time around, but there will be some hands-on activity, so you are encouraged to bring pen and paper with you.

Topics to be covered include:

• The MDA Framework (Mechanics, Dynamics, Aesthetics)
• Focus Statements
• Concept Development
• Player Experience

It's a lot to in an hour or so -- don't be surprised if this meeting goes long.  This will be a great event for anyone interested in the design process.  So tell your friends, the meeting is open to everybody.

This month the main topic is the recent Game Developers Conference.  I'll share what I saw and heard and answer any questions you may have about the event or where the industry is headed.  Anyone else who attended or has read any of the billion blog posts about GDC is also welcome to chime in.  This year's conference was particularly energized -- so there's a lot to talk about.  Hope to see you there.

Also, in the spirit of St. Patrick's Day, we may have to mosey over to Capdeville afterwards, just to show our respects.

We have a couple of topics for this month's meeting:

First off, we have the first product of the first Global Game Jam site in Louisiana --> Monkeys Eat Bananas by TEAMmonkey.  We will have the game at the meeitng for folks to play and memebers of the team to discuss the experience.

Two, we need to discuss chapter leadership.  I'm all for benevolent dictatorships and all, but we need to get more people involved on a regular basis.  What if I get hit by a bus, or, God forbid, get a fulltime job?  So if you want to make an impact on the game industry in Louisiana, bring your volunteering arm to raise.

And C, we can chat about the Game Developers Conference, which is coming up at the end of the month.  I want to get a handle on who is going and if we want to plan any sort of rendezvous at the Thirsty Bear or something.

Everyone planning to participate in the Jam needs to register at globalgamejam.org.  You create an account first, and then create a profile.  In the profile, make sure you associate yourself with the IGDA-NOLA at UNO site.  We need to start planning food and supplies, etc., and we are getting our headcount estimates from this registration.  Even if you want to hold out on your decision until the day of -- it would help us if you register now.

Seriously?  45 people have chimed in on the poll and said they are going to GDC?  Well, that's just awesome.  Keep your eyes peeled for any Louisiana-sponsored events.  In the meantime, checkout the Forum post I made regarding NOLA Night Out.  Anyone interested in meeting up one night at GDC should post to the thread so we can keep track of everyone and agree on a time and place to meet-up and show everyone how it's done Crescent City-style.  We need to make sure Louisiana is showing up on people's radars.

It's not the best way to crank up a new chapter, but for reasons beyond our control the LDGI event that was scheduled for this Friday has just been pushed off until 2011.  Sorry for the last-minute change.  This does not really leave much time to plan something else for our December meeting, so my suggestion is for folks to hang in Capdeville (the bar next to Launch Pad) Thursday night and enjoy the camaraderie of fellow gamers.

On a happier note, we are very close to locking in a site for the Global Game Jam at the end of January. Keep and eye on this site and Twitter (IGDA_NOLA) for updates.

Everybody have a happy holiday season and don't forget to put the controller down once in a while and talk to your family.

Just in time for Holiday Shopping:

Basic chapter t-shirts are now available for sale.  Show your support, look cool, and help raise money for the chapter.  We make $6 on each shirt.

Down the road we can have design contests and add to the selection, but for now let's let people know we exist.

http://www.cafepress.com/IGDA_NOLA

The IGDA membership drive context ends on Friday.  Join for pete's sake! 

$48 for core membership

$30 for students

We are pooling our new member count with Baton Rouge's, so if we win Warren Specter will be speaking to a joint session of our chapters.  Show everybody that Louisiana is serious about stepping up in the game industry.

Click here and do a quick online transaction to be an official member of a very cool group of people.  How often do you get an invitation like that?

Hey, if you can get yourself up to Baton Rouge Friday evening, it will be well worth it.  IGDA Baton Rouge is hosting game music maestro Tommy Tallarico.  Tommy has been making music for games since 1991, but you probably also know him as the creator of Video Games Live, the touring live orchestra multimedia show that plays music from video games.  The VGL tour is coming to BR on Saturday (you can still get tickets), but on Friday Tommy is all ours.  If you are interested in game audio or the game industry in general (he knows frickin' everybody) try to hit this meeting.

Friday, November 12, 2010
5:30 pm – 7:00 pm
LSU Museum of Art
3rd floor of the Shaw Center for the Arts
100 Lafayette St., BR, LA 70801