============================= IGDA Newsletter - August 2006 ============================= ================= Table of Contents ================= 0: A Word From Brian Reynolds 1: Call for Feedback: Employment Contract QoL Certification 2: Education SIG: Renewed Focus on Game Development Education 3: SIG Action: Casual Games White Paper, Game Writing Book 4: Event Action: Sandbox/SIGGRAPH recap, London + SGS discounts 5: Columns Update 6: Chapter Meetings/Reports x: Logistical Bits & Unsubscribe Info ================= ============================= 0: A Word From Brian Reynolds ============================= Greetings fellow developers! My question for you as we approach the fall release season is this: how many of you have worked long months on a game project but never received any official credit? Unfortunately I suspect all too many of you have had this experience­because you left your company "early" before your game was released, were transferred to a different team after a few months, worked as a subcontractor or part-time hire rather than a full-time employee, or worked in a "libraries and tools" group which benefited more than one project, your contributions to a game were given a diminished credit or perhaps no credit at all. It's a common practice in our industry, and it has happened to me too. But credits are important to us as professional developers: they provide some of the most important bits of our résumés when we look for our next jobs or contracts. Over time as memories fade and team members disperse, the "official" credits list in a game­like written notes of a long-forgotten phone conversation­comes to be accepted as the definitive record of what happened, of who did what when. So being deprived of a credit, or having a credit diminished, can have significant impact on our future careers, financially and otherwise. Now there are legitimate sticky issues in crediting, such as how to credit the person who was lead designer for the first six months of a project versus the one who led it for the last eighteen, but wouldn't you agree that we deserve better than the current "system" where crediting is left entirely in the hands of sometimes unscrupulous studio executives? Are there ways the IGDA could better educate developers (and studios) about the crediting process and give them a stronger voice in it? Are there ways we could help developers negotiate better crediting arrangements or processes up front? Is there a way to create an industry standard for crediting which would minimize unfair crediting practices? The IGDA Credit Standards committee is wrestling with these and related issues, and I encourage you to let us know your thoughts on this subject, and get involved. http://www.igda.org/credit/ - Brian Reynolds Chairperson, IGDA President, Big Huge Games ********************************************************************* Ad: The 4th Annual Austin Game Conference, September 6-8 in Austin ** ********************************************************************* The Austin Game Conference program covers everything from MMOGs to digital distribution and offers lectures and workshops conducted by industry veterans and luminaries. Keynote speakers include: - Michael Dell, Chairman - Dell Computer - Rob Pardo, Lead Designer - World Of Warcraft, Blizzard Entertainment - Jon Landau, Academy Award winning producer of the movie Titanic - Vernor Vinge, Hugo Award Winning Science Fiction Writer Also just added, the Dell Precision ArtZONE training center. Register now and save $100, conference details are available online: http://www.GameConference.com/ ********************************************************************* =========================================================== 1: Call for Feedback: Employment Contract QoL Certification =========================================================== The IGDA is committed to its ongoing efforts to enhance the quality of life of game developers. One of the ways we are actively pursuing that goal is through the Employment Contract QoL Certification initiative. The Employment Contract QoL Certification Taskforce is in the process of developing a comprehensive set of core elements that reflect best employment practices for studios in the game industry. These basic elements will then be translated into a set of employment contract provisions and benchmarks. IGDA Studio Affiliates will then be able incorporate these model contract provisions into their own employment agreement and then submit that agreement to the IGDA for certification. Once certified, the studio will then be able to state that their employment contract is "IGDA QoL Certified". This certification will provide a level of comfort to potential hires and also provide the studio with a significant advantage in attracting, and retaining, talent. Much of this is still in the development stages, and the IGDA is seeking feedback and guidance from the development community at large. Forum threads on the procedures we anticipate implementing and the different classes of rights and benefits we are considering, have been set up online. Please provide your input on this critical initiative: http://www.igda.org/Forums/forumdisplay.php?forumid=225 ******************************* ** Ad: London Games Festival ** ******************************* 2-6 October, London, England http://www.londongamesfestival.co.uk/ - GDC London will focus exclusively on advanced techniques in game development, with a special focus on the UK. It's a next-gen boot camp for programming and art leads, managers, creative directors and producers. - The London Games Summit is co-presented by ELSPA and Tiga. This leadership seminar is the definitive event for game industry executives and business managers in Europe. - The London Game Career Fair, presented by Gamasutra.com and gamesindustry.biz, provides the opportunity for game industry professionals, recent graduates, and individuals from related industries to speak with leading companies in the game industry about career opportunities. IGDA members receive a £25 discount on registration (membership will be verified). Early registration discounts expire September 15. ******************************* ============================================================= 2: Education SIG: Renewed Focus on Game Development Education ============================================================= The IGDA has recently launched a new Game Education SIG to enhance the education of future and current game developers. Headed up by Susan Gold, Assistant Professor of Science & Technology, Digital Arts at Sierra Nevada College, the Education SIG started its renewal this summer with numerous initiatives underway: - Updating and maintaining the IGDA's Curriculum Framework - Creating an educator’s knowledge base - Implementing an internship clearinghouse - Renovating the "Breaking In" web resources for high school students The SIG will also oversee content for education related sessions at industry events such as the Game Developers Conference and conduct extensive international outreach to ensure a global perspective. The Education SIG is encouraging academics involved in game education and training, as well as industry professionals interested in providing guidance and support, to contact the SIG and get involved in the various initiatives. For more information or to get involved, visit: http://www.igda.org/education/ *********************************** ** Ad: Serious Games Summit D.C. ** *********************************** 30-31 October, Washington, D.C., USA http://www.seriousgamessummit.com/ The Serious Games Summit D.C. is the premier professional conference for the creators and commissioners of serious games. The summit spotlights the rapidly growing serious games industry that features the use of interactive games technology within non-entertainment sectors. SGS D.C. provides a forum for game developers, buyers, and industry professionals to exchange ideas and advance the state of the art of serious games development in areas such as: corporate training, education, first responders, government, health, military, science, and social change. IGDA members receive a $50 discount on registration (membership will be verified). Early registration discounts expire October 2. *********************************** ========================================================== 3: SIG Action: Casual Games White Paper, Game Writing Book ========================================================== Other recent SIG news includes: - Game Writers SIG launches new book, "Game Writing: Narrative Skills for Videogames". Rave review and chapter excerpt available at Gamasutra: http://www.gamasutra.com/features/20060824/kane_14.shtml http://www.gamasutra.com/features/20060824/kane_01.shtml http://onlyagame.typepad.com/only_a_game/2006/07/game_writing_na.html - Casual Games SIG releases 120-page 2006 Casual Games White Paper: http://www.igda.org/casual/ ********************************************************* ** Ad: Women In Games International Adds More Speakers ** ********************************************************* September 16, Seattle, WA Women In Games International has added speakers to their upcoming conference, "The Balancing Act: Game Industry Careers and Quality of Life," scheduled on Saturday, September 16 at the Microsoft campus in Redmond. - Keynote speaker Bonnie Ross, Director of Production for Microsoft Game Studios, presents, "Quality of Life and the Successful Game Industry Career." - Other speakers include representatives from Real Networks, Nokia, Electronic Arts, Ubisoft, Sony Online, Relic, Zipper Interactive, LimeLife, Amaze Entertainment, DigiPen and more. To register online, visit www.womeningamesinternational.org ********************************************************* =============================================================== 4: Event Action: Sandbox/SIGGRAPH recap, London + SGS discounts =============================================================== Recent and upcoming event action includes: - Sandbox Symposium and SIGGRAPH recap and photos: http://www.igda.org/blogs/realitypanic/archives/001769.html - $50 member discount at Serious Games Summit D.C.: http://www.igda.org/events/ - £25 member discount off London Games Festival events http://www.igda.org/events/ ================= 5: Columns Update ================= Monthly columns have been updated: Famous Last Words ----------------- "Smooth Flow of Subcontractor Rights" - A look at work-for-hire IP assignment for subcontractors http://www.igda.org/columns/lastwords/lastwords_Aug06.php Culture Clash ------------- "Business Casual - How developers are attracting a new market" - Exploring the casual gamer market, not just casual games http://www.igda.org/columns/clash/clash_Aug06.php The Games Game -------------- "Dealing with a Bad Boss" - Uh, in summary, how to deal with a bad boss http://www.igda.org/columns/gamesgame/gamesgame_Aug06.php =========================== 6: Chapter Meetings/Reports =========================== Complete list of chapter reports and upcoming meetings: http://www.igda.org/chapters/updates.php Japan Friday, September 22 > IGDA TGS Receptions "Developers Crossover" in Tokyo Game Show http://expo.nikkeibp.co.jp/tgs/2006/english/attendee/forum.html Israel Tuesday, September 12 > The president of Majesco game to discuss the handheld business http://www.igda.org/israel Guildford Wednesday, August 30 > A Union for Games Developers.... http://www.igda.org/guildford/nextevent.htm Denmark Tuesday, August 29 > Social meeting http://www.igda.dk/ Finland Report, August 22 > Gathering Report - Aug '06 http://www.igda.org/Forums/showthread.php?threadid=23557 Hyderabad Report, August 18 > Hyderabad Chapter Meeting http://www.igda.org/hyderabad/archives/meeting_reports/index.html Finland Report, August 9 > Season 2005-2006 Report http://www.igda.org/Forums/showthread.php?threadid=23363 San Francisco Report, August 3 > STAR TREK ONLINE Graphical Development Secrets - Perpetual Entertainment http://www.igda.org/sf Frankfurt am Main Report, August 2 > July Chapter Meeting Summary Report and Resources http://igda.org/frankfurt Perth Report, July 25 > First meeting of the Perth chapter a success! http://www.igda.org/perth/event_06_07/06_07_Report.htm North Carolina Triangle Report, July 24 > Epic's Gears of War and UT2007 http://www.igda.org/nctriangle/ ================== 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. 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