============================= IGDA Newsletter - August 2005 ============================= ================= Table of Contents ================= 0: A Word From Bob Bates 1: IGDA Forms Sex Special Interest Group 2: Members-Only London Party, GDC Europe plans, Scholars 3: SIG Updates: IP rights, women's make-over, casual paper 4: New Articles: Original vs Licensed IP, Practicing Law in Games 5: Member Email Forwarding System - in beta 6: Columns Update 7: Chapter Meetings/Reports x: Logistical Bits & Unsubscribe Info ================= ======================== 0: A Word From Bob Bates ======================== Dear Members and friends, Last month I asked the question, "Of what practical use is the IGDA to you as an individual?" I received a lot of private email on the topic, and there's a public forum discussion at: http://www.igda.org/Forums/showthread.php?threadid=17452 Some people cited examples of how the IGDA has already helped them, while others are dissatisfied because the organization lacks the power (or will) to fight "the powers that be." But the common theme that emerged is that we should indeed be working on the professional advancement of our members. We received several practical and constructive suggestions, some of which we have already put in the works, while others are still being considered. So thank you for your responses, and please keep them coming. We've just scratched the surface of this issue, and we expect to be dealing with it for some time to come. Happy gaming! - Bob Bates Chairperson, IGDA ======================================== 1: IGDA Forms Sex Special Interest Group ======================================== The IGDA has formed the Sex Special Interest Group to address the challenges and possibilities for adult content within games. The Sex SIG, which has been in the making since the 2005 Game Developers Conference last March, will provide an outlet where information can be shared among developers and those who wish to enter the field. The Sex SIG will serve as a source for related industry news and will provide an online discussion forum and mailing list to promote developer interaction. The group is also working on several initiatives to fortify adult content representation, including conference lectures and white papers outlining responsible development practices and how to promote appropriate access to content. http://www.igda.org/sex/ http://www.igda.org/newsroom/press_081505.php ******************************************************** ** Ad: GDC Europe - IGDA Members Receive 10% Discount ** ******************************************************** August 30 to September 1, London, UK The fifth annual GDC Europe provides an essential forum in which to learn, network, and focus on the future of next-generation interactive entertainment. Gain access to: - Two days of conference sessions focusing on game development issues of today, and next-gen strategies for tomorrow - Keynotes by Sony's Phil Harrison, Katamari Damacy's creator Keita Takahashi, and Microsoft's Chris Satchell - One day GDC Europe Mobile seminar - Tutorials focused on game design, audio, and next-generation development techniques from Microsoft Register now and use priority code TFENXX to activate your IGDA discount! (IGDA membership will be verified.) http://www.gdceurope.com/ ******************************************************** ======================================================== 2: Members-Only London Party, GDC Europe plans, Scholars ======================================================== In coordination with the London Chapter, the IGDA is hosting its first ever European members-only social event after the close of GDC Europe. Whether you are a local developer or in town just for the conference, pop into the swank Marx Lounge at Sugar Reef to chill with your peers over free drinks and munchies. Full party details are online (RSVP required): http://www.igda.org/events/rsvp_london_05.php Also, the IGDA will be participating at GDC Europe with a panel on Quality of Life and a lecture on government economic support: - Towards a Sustainable Future: Studio Heads Discuss Quality of Life http://www.cmpevents.com/GDCeu05/a.asp?option=C&V=11&SessID=752 - Cutting the Red Tape: Governmental Support of the Games Business http://www.cmpevents.com/GDCeu05/a.asp?option=C&V=11&SessID=769 There will also be a chapter coordinators luncheon - please contact Rudy (rudy@igda.org) for details. Further, IGDA members get a 10% discount on GDC Europe registration (see ad above), and a discounted rate to attend the Develop Industry Excellence Awards: http://www.developmag.com/awards.php Finally, congratulations to our 10 scholarship recipients! Look out for them at the conference... http://www.igda.org/newsroom/press_080405.php ========================================================== 3: SIG Updates: IP rights, women's make-over, casual paper ========================================================== Various IGDA SIGs have been busy over the summer... - IP Rights SIG: a reconfiguration of the committee that wrote the original IP rights white paper, the refreshed IP Rights SIG has a new blog up along with wiki-fied resources (ie, case log, prior art list, etc). http://www.igda.org/ipr/ - Women SIG: The Women in Game Development SIG's site has underwent a make-over and it now presented in a stylish blog format. http://www.igda.org/women/ - Casual Games SIG: Hot off their formation, the Casual Games SIG has released a comprehensive white paper on all things casual and newsletter focusing on technology. http://www.igda.org/casual/ ******************************************** ** Ad: Austin Game Developer's Conference ** ******************************************** Join us in Austin, TX from October 26 to 28 for four fantastic game developer events: Austin Game Developer's Conference http://www.GameConference.com Mobile Game Conference http://www.MobileGameConference.com Women's Game Conference http://www.WomensGameConference.com Game Writers Conference http://www.GameWritersConference.com Register for one and attend all four events. $50 early bird discount ends August 12. http://www.GameConference.com/register/ ******************************************** ================================================================= 4: New Articles: Original vs Licensed IP, Practicing Law in Games ================================================================= Two new articles have been published on the IGDA site: "Invasion of the IP Snatchers - Exploring Licensed versus Original Games" by Jason Della Rocca http://www.igda.org/articles/dellarocca_ipsnatchers.php "Practicing Law in the Games Business - 5 steps to prepare for a legal career in games" by Jim Charne http://www.igda.org/articles/jcharne_lawschool.php =========================================== 5: Member Email Forwarding System - in beta =========================================== A new membership feature, now all IGDA members can set up an email forwarding alias on the member.igda.org domain. For example john.smith @ member.igda.org can be set to forward to john @ smith.com. Members can log into their MyProfile page to set up an alias and forward-to address: http://www.igda.org/membership/myprofile.php The alias is member-updated on the fly and can be easily used to stay in touch with peers between career moves, or look slightly more official than ninjacoder@hotmail on a CV, etc. The system is still in beta, so please contact us if you run into any problems or odd behavior. ================= 6: Columns Update ================= Monthly columns have been updated: Famous Last Words ----------------- "The Treatment of Music in Games - Part 1" http://www.igda.org/columns/lastwords/lastwords_Aug05.php Culture Clash ------------- "Memories, Two for a Dollar - Why posterity and profit should mix" http://www.igda.org/columns/clash/clash_Aug05.php The Games Game -------------- "The Need for Persuasion" http://www.igda.org/columns/gamesgame/gamesgame_Aug05.php =========================== 7: Chapter Meetings/Reports =========================== Complete list of chapter reports and upcoming meetings: http://www.igda.org/chapters/updates.php Las Vegas Thursday, October 6 > October Meeting http://www.igda.org/lasvegas Albany Thursday, August 25 > Katherine Isbister on "Better Game Characters by Design: A Psychological Approach" http://www.igda.org/albany South Florida Thursday, August 25 > Universal Combat Gold Party with Derek Smart http://www.igda.org/Forums/showthread.php?threadid=17767 Chicago Tuesday, August 23 > "In a Wal-Mart world, Creative is a dirty word" http://www.igda.org/chicago/next.htm Silicon Valley Tuesday, August 23 > IGDA Silicon Valley Re-introduction Meeting http://www.siliconvalleyigda.org/ Las Vegas Report, August 21 > August Meeting Recap http://igda.org/lasvegas/AugustRecap.html Austin Report, August 10 > Austin: Hot Coffee - How the controversy affects you http://www.austingamedevelopers.com/archives/000159.html Colorado Report, August 1 > General Networking and Discussion http://coloradogamedev.org/ Las Vegas Report, July 31 > July Meeting Recap http://igda.org/lasvegas/JulyRecap.htm San Francisco Report, July 28 > Backbone Entertainment: Bringing Life to Death (Jr.) http://www.igda.org/sf Seattle Report, July 21 > Indie Game Event Discussion http://www.igda.org/seattle/reports/07_2005r.htm ================== x: Logistical Bits ================== Unsubscribe/Subscribe to Newsletter ----------------------------------- You can unsubscribe or 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: - A K Peters, Ltd. - ATI Technologies Inc. - Algoma University College - Austin Community College - Autodesk Media and Entertainment - Digital River, Inc. - Interactive Studio Management - Microsoft Research - MobyGames - Savannah College of Art and Design - Xbox 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). Those using RSS readers can point to: IGDA News: http://www.igda.org/igda_news_rss.php IGDA Chapter Updates: http://www.igda.org/igda_chapters_rss.php ------- - end - -------