========================== IGDA Newsletter - May 2005 ========================== ================= Table of Contents ================= 0: A Word From Jesse Schell 1: Post E3, Members-Party, etc 2: Fight on Anti-game Bill in California Continues... 3: News Bites: LGBT list, online games, ionForge discount... 4: Columns Update 5: Chapter Meetings/Reports x: Logistical Bits & Subscription Info ================= =========================== 0: A Word From Jesse Schell =========================== Dear Members and friends, Another E3 is behind us! It was inspiring to meet so many friends, old and new, at our members-only party poolside at the Hotel Figueroa. Seems we're quite good at planning parties, so we plan to have more IGDA events for members in the future ­ we'll keep you posted... Now that E3 is over, what better way to separate the truth from the hype than by comparing notes with other developers at a local chapter meeting? If you've been too busy to attend recent meetings, take advantage of the post-E3 lull, and get caught up with other developers near you. Maybe you'll even meet someone who actually understands what Microsoft means by "backwards compatible", or what Sony means by "not pre-rendered" ;) A complete list of local chapters can be found at: http://www.igda.org/chapters/ - Jesse Schell Chairperson, IGDA Asst. Professor of Entertainment Technology, Carnegie Mellon University CEO, Schell Games ***************************************************** ** Ad: LexisNexis Butterworths Video Game Law Book ** ***************************************************** Copyright infringement. Patent infringement. Obscenity. Defamation. Piracy. Product licensing. Freedom of expression. Negligence. Competition/Anti-trust. These are just a few of the myriad legal issues that can cost developers time, money - and aggravation. For answers and guidance turn to the first book that deals specifically with these concerns: Video Game Law. For more details and to order Video Game Law: http://www.lexisnexis.ca/bookstore/bookinfo.php?pid=1220 ***************************************************** ============================== 1: Post E3, Members-Party, etc ============================== Nearly 900 developers RSVP'd for the IGDA's members-only party at E3. Fun was had by all, well, except for the guy who had to jump into the pool to fetch his mobile. Check out the photos from the party: http://www.igda.org/events/rsvp_e3party_05.php Also, check out the summary and pictures from the IGDA's executive director, Jason Della Rocca: http://www.igda.org/blogs/realitypanic/archives/000294.html ********************************************** ** Ad: SIGGRAPH 2005: The Smart place to be ** ********************************************** You'll find all the data, techniques, people, and inspiration you need for another successful year of research, development, production, and creativity. SIGGRAPH 2005 Keynote Address from world-renowned director, producer and screenwriter George Lucas. More than 300 presentations on leading edge technologies and techniques. An Exhibition with the largest international display of next-generation tools required for achievement in computer graphics and interactive techniques. Five days only, 31 July-4 August 2005 in Los Angeles. Visit: http://www.siggraph.org/s2005 ********************************************** ===================================================== 2: Fight on Anti-game Bill in California Continues... ===================================================== California-based members are urged to contact their local Assemblymember to express opposition to anti-game bill AB 450. This legislation would treat video games differently from any other form of media, criminalizing the sale or rental of video games to minors that contain vaguely defined "violent" material and would require retailers to place "custom" warning labels on any games containing such content. Video games are an expressive medium worthy of the same constitutional free speech protections as movies, books, music and art. Attempts to regulate video game content or a consumer's access to the creativity and expression contained in video games, as provided in this bill, would run afoul of constitutional protections. Please view the complete call-for-action for further details, key points and next steps: http://www.igda.org/censorship/CA_ab450_call-to-action.php ============================================================ 3: News Bites: LGBT list, online games, ionForge discount... ============================================================ A bunch quick bite updates: - Mailing List: LGBT - Connecting and Socializing http://www.igda.org/Forums/showthread.php?threadid=15833 - Online Games Quarterly - Spring Issue http://www.igda.org/online/quarterly/1_2/ - Member Discount: ionForge Evolution SCM - free sample or 50% discount http://www.igda.org/join/discounts.php ================= 4: Columns Update ================= Monthly columns have been updated: Famous Last Words ----------------- "It's a Big World Out There! - Part 2" http://www.igda.org/columns/lastwords/lastwords_May05.php Culture Clash ------------- "Reality Bites - Innovate play, not technology" http://www.igda.org/columns/clash/clash_May05.php The Games Game -------------- "Time to Specialize, Jack" http://www.igda.org/columns/gamesgame/gamesgame_May05.php =========================== 5: Chapter Meetings/Reports =========================== Complete list of chapter reports and upcoming meetings: http://www.igda.org/chapters/updates.php Michigan South Sunday, June 5 > E3, Game Production, and Thief 2X http://www.igda.org/smichigan/archives/2005/04/june_2005_meeti.html Toronto Thursday, June 2 > Now Taking Submissions for Indie Showcase! http://www.igda.org/toronto/ North Carolina Triangle Wednesday, June 1 > Unreal Engine 3 Tools & Technology by Mike Capps http://www.igda.org/nctriangle Frankfurt am Main Report, May 16 > fmx/05 GamesTrack Summaray Report http://igda.dimajix.net/index.php?id=16 Las Vegas Report, May 13 > May Meeting Recap http://www.igda.org/lasvegas/MayRecap.htm San Francisco Report, May 9 > 4orty2wo Entertainment on I Love Bees, ARGs and video games http://www.igda.org/sf Melbourne Report, May 4 > Meeting Report http://igda.somee.com/meetings.aspx#meet3 Colorado Report, May 2 > Virtools Demonstration http://www.coloradogamedev.org/20050502.html Guildford Report, April 28 > Gizmondo & Ernest Adams wow Guildford http://www.igda.org/guildford/280405.htm Japan Report, April 23 > IGDA Kansai(Kyoto, Osaka) chapter Start! Game Developer Seminar "GDC Repots" http://www.famitsu.com/game/news/2005/04/24/103,1114338343,38585,0,0.html Seattle Report, April 21 > How to Walk http://www.igda.org/seattle/reports/04_2005r.htm Montreal Report, April 19 > Software guru Steve McConnell enlightens developers on production practices http://www.igda.org/montreal/reports/summary_Apr05.htm ================== x: Logistical Bits ================== Newsletter Subscription ----------------------- You can update your newsletter subscription details via your MyProfile page: http://www.igda.org/membership/myprofile.php If you need help, contact us. 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: - GameJobs.com - Hybrid Graphics - ionForge - Korea IT Industry Promotion Agency - Mary-Margaret.com - NVIDIA Corporation - University of Derby - Web Technology Corp. 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 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). 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