============================== IGDA Newsletter - October 2004 ============================== =========================== Table of Contents =========================== 0: A Word From Jesse Schell 1: IGDA News - New Women SIG References and Resources - IGDA Event Participation - Columns Update 2: Chapter Meetings/Reports 3: From the Wires - BioWare named in key Canadian business award lists - Game over? Not if preservationists have their way - The Evolution of Mario - Latest Leisure Suit Larry banned - Thompson links GTA with US school murder plot - Parents Favor New Limits on TV Content in Early Evening Hours - Reality Bytes: Eight Myths About Video Games Debunked - Defanged California game bill becomes law - Video game legislation stirs debate - The Media War - Tony Blair okays UK game industry - Videogames' culture of fear: An interview with Emily Newton Dunn - EA Ranked Number One (Again), MS Steps Up to No. 2 - Quirky Titles Can Succeed...Moderately - The Games Industry Needs B-Sides - Kids, Play With Your Food - Virtual Worlds Meet the Real One - DiGRA 2005: Call for Papers - Playing 'Boy' Games Helps Girls, and Vice Versa - There's No Excuse for Bad Localizations 4: Logistical Bits =========================== =========================== 0: A Word From Jesse Schell =========================== Dear Members and friends, Undoubtedly, many of us are busy crunching away on holiday deadlines, making this a relatively quiet past month of news. That said, the IGDA has been racking up the flyer miles in order to visit our chapters (and related conferences) in "far off places", namely Ireland, Germany and Japan of late (see trip reports below). What's most encouraging is that we see the same passion for games across the globe. We also see the unique challenges present in each development community (eg, closed nature of Japanese studios, embryonic industry in Ireland, etc). It is refreshing to see how each local chapter is working to address those issues most relevant to its members. In all locations, communication and the ability to connect with each other are fundamental, and it is nice to know that IGDA chapters are serving in that critical role. Be sure to visit your local chapter to help unwind from your crunch and connect with peers: http://www.igda.org/chapters/ - Jesse Schell Chairperson, IGDA Professor of Entertainment Technology, Carnegie Mellon University CEO, Schell Games ================================================= AD: Game Tech - Register by Oct 29th to Save $400 ================================================= Attention top programmers and technical directors: announcing Game Tech Game Tech is an intense, focused event that tackles the challenges of shipping technically innovative games on next-generation platforms. We bring together the top researchers and developers to provide a uniquely rigorous and collaborative technical environment across two programs: Creating Believable Characters Seminar, Nov 30-Dec 1 Game Tech Leadership Summit, Dec 2-3 Program chairs: Jonathan Blow and Jeff Lander IGDA member discount $35 Additional $50 off with this code: GDA010 http://www.game-tech.com/ ===================================== ============ 1: IGDA News ============ New Women SIG References and Resources -------------------------------------- The Women in Game Development SIG has updated their web site to include an extensive list of women/gender related resources and reference materials. Of special interest are the recently published, extensive white papers on girl gamers and women in the industry. http://www.igda.org/women/references.htm IGDA Event Participation ------------------------ For summary reports and pics on recent events in which the IGDA participated, visit our website: - Awakenings - Irish Game Developers Conference http://www.igda.org/blogs/realitypanic/archives/000229.html - Tokyo Game Show http://www.igda.org/blogs/realitypanic/archives/000226.html The IGDA will be participating in the following upcoming events: - Montreal Game Summit: The Summit will be a targeted event with a limited size to create an environment where learning and networking are facilitated. The IGDA's Montreal chapter will be hosting the developer party. Jason Della Rocca, Program Director for the IGDA, will be lecturing on game IP. http://www.montrealgamesummit.com/ - International Workshop in Computer Game Design and Technology: A two-day event of lectures, tutorials and exhibitions on computer games research and development. IGDA chairperson, Jesse Schell, will be giving a keynote speech. http://www.cms.livjm.ac.uk/gdtw/ - Nordic Game Potential: This conference aims at formulating common ideas, strategies and points of action for Nordic computer games, for industry, research, education and government. Several of the IGDA's Nordic-based chapters are involved... http://nordicgame.net/ Check online for further details on these upcoming events and the IGDA's participation: http://www.igda.org/events/ Columns Update -------------- Monthly columns updated for this month: - The Ivory Tower: From Middle-Earth to Arden http://www.igda.org/columns/ivorytower/ - Famous Last Words: Take it or Leave it Dev Contract http://www.igda.org/columns/lastwords/ - Culture Clash: Cerebral Studies - Institutionalizing theory and criticism http://www.igda.org/columns/clash/ - The Games Game: Can't Get No Respect http://www.igda.org/columns/gamesgame/ =========================== 2: Chapter Meetings/Reports =========================== Complete list of chapter reports and upcoming meetings: http://www.igda.org/chapters/updates.php Guildford Meeting, November > Meet on the 1st Wed of each month @ George Abbott http://www.igda.org/guildford Seattle Meeting, October > Amazon.com: Life after Gaming? http://www.igda.org/seattle/meet.htm Montreal Meeting, October > Roundtable Discussions http://www.igda.org/montreal/index_e.htm#next Ottawa Meeting, October > Business Meeting http://www.igda.org/ottawa/ New Jersey North Report, October > September Meeting http://blender.rutgers.edu/~njigda/meetings/200409.php Colorado Report, October > 3D Web Game Technology Review http://www.coloradogamedev.org/20041004.html Japan Report, September > Jason and Gonzalo spoke about the relation between the industry and Academics http://www.famitsu.com/game/news/2004/09/28/103,1096339074,31602,0,0.html Japan Report, September > CEDEC Premium Half-Life 2 vs. Resident Evil 4 in TGS Report http://arena.nikkeibp.co.jp/game/news/20040924/109568/ ================= 3: From the Wires ================= News stories and articles from around the web... BioWare named in key Canadian business award lists http://www.gamesindustry.biz/content_page.php?aid=4769 Game over? Not if preservationists have their way http://tinyurl.com/3j8c8 The Evolution of Mario http://nfg.2y.net/games/mariosprites/ Latest Leisure Suit Larry banned http://www.atomicmpc.com.au/news.asp?aid=21935&cid=76&sid=28&pid=1 Thompson links GTA with US school murder plot http://www.gamesindustry.biz/content_page.php?aid=4843 Parents Favor New Limits on TV Content in Early Evening Hours http://www.kff.org/entmedia/entmedia092304nr.cfm Reality Bytes: Eight Myths About Video Games Debunked http://www.pbs.org/kcts/videogamerevolution/impact/myths.html Defanged California game bill becomes law http://www.gamespot.com/news/2004/09/21/news_6108135.html Video game legislation stirs debate http://www.smdailyjournal.org/article.cfm?issue=09-23-04&storyID=35059 The Media War http://tinyurl.com/65yoe Tony Blair okays UK game industry http://joystiq.com/entry/4351459602513336/ Videogames' culture of fear: An interview with Emily Newton Dunn http://tinyurl.com/6jl5v EA Ranked Number One (Again), MS Steps Up to No. 2 http://biz.gamedaily.com/features.asp?article_id=8045§ion=feature Quirky Titles Can Succeed...Moderately http://biz.gamedaily.com/features.asp?article_id=8057§ion=toppers The Games Industry Needs B-Sides http://www.corante.com/gotgame/archives/006154.html Kids, Play With Your Food http://www.wired.com/news/games/0,2101,64593,00.html Virtual Worlds Meet the Real One http://www.wired.com/news/games/0,2101,64380,00.html DiGRA 2005: Call for Papers http://www.digra.org/article.php?story=20040917201442528 Playing 'Boy' Games Helps Girls, and Vice Versa http://tinyurl.com/3v3hs There's No Excuse for Bad Localizations http://biz.gamedaily.com/features.asp?article_id=8046§ion=myturn ================== 4: Logistical Bits ================== Thanks to our Partners! ----------------------- The IGDA extends its sincerest thanks to all our Partners! Especially those whojust joined us, or recently renewed their commitment to support the game developmentcommunity: - Alias - Avid Alienbrain - Criterion Software - Metrowerks - Microsoft Research - MobyGames - VxO Networks - University of Abertay Dundee 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 Newsletter Subscription ----------------------- You can update your subscription details via your MyProfile page: http://www.igda.org/membership/myprofile.php If you need help, contact us. IGDA Membership --------------- Your support is critical to the success of the IGDA and our industry. There are dozens of reasons to join the IGDA, ranging from personal career advancement to more lofty industry-wide goals. 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