=============== IGDA Newsletter =============== November 1, 2000 Dear IGDA Friends and Members, I'm pleased to present the new format of our newsletter, designed to educate IGDA members and friends about our activities and about issues important to the developer community. As you can see, our organization is growing rapidly and transforming into a vibrant community of developers. In this issue, we highlight the newest SIGs, including the 3D Graphics SIG, Machinima SIG (look below for a definition!), and the Game AI SIG. For a complete list of SIGs, Committees, and Chapters, check the Active Programs section below. I'm sure you'll find an area where you'd like to get involved, and if not, be sure to fill out an application to start your own SIG or Committee! Finally, we're actively looking for folks to host our local chapter meetings, so let our Program Director, Jason Della Rocca, know if you're interested (jason@igda.org). Alex Alex Jarett IGDA Chairman ======================================== 1 Newsworthy Items 1.1 Group Discounts 1.2 New Special Interest Groups Launched 1.3 Call for Committee Members 1.4 Jason in the News 2 Current Events 2.1 IGF Student Showcase 2.2 Prep for GDC 2001 3 Active Programs 3.1 Committees 3.2 Special Interest Groups 3.3 Chapters 4 Logistical Bits 4.1 IGDA Registration Info 4.2 Contact Info ======================================== ================== 1 Newsworthy Items ================== 1.1 Group Discounts ------------------- Take advantage of our new group discounts! If you join the IGDA or renew at the same time with at least five of your friends or co-workers, you're entitled to a discount between 15 and 30%. You can find more details and instructions about group discounts online: http://www.igda.org/group_discounts.htm 1.2 New Special Interest Groups Launched ---------------------------------------- We are pleased to announce three new SIGs started up during the month of October. And, we have added a new co-moderator to the Online Games SIG. - 3D Graphics SIG: http://www.igda.org/SIGs/3d_graphics.htm Talk about all the cool things you're doing, technical problems you face, and the future of 3D programming. The 3D Graphics SIG is moderated by Fred Gill, Technical Director at Kaboom! Studios. - Machinima SIG: http://www.igda.org/SIGs/machinima.htm Discuss the unique tools and techniques needed to get the best out of the nascent art form of in-game engine driven - "Machinima" - cut-scenes and introduction sequences. The Machinima SIG is moderated by Hugh Hancock, Chairman of Strange Company. - Game AI SIG: http://www.igda.org/SIGs/game_ai.htm The Game AI SIG is up and running, co-moderated by IGDA members Eric Dybsand, Alexander Nareyek, and Steven Woodcock. Give Artificial Intelligence a piece of your mind in the AI SIG's discussion forums. 1.3 Call for Committee Members ------------------------------ The Software Patents Committee, and now the Violence in Games Committee, are in their formative stages. Both committees are always in search of people from the developer community to get involved. The exact details of these committees have yet to be posted online, so anyone interested is urged to contact Jason (jason@igda.org). 1.4 Jason in the News --------------------- The IGDA's very own Program Director, Jason Della Rocca, has been in the spotlight since starting with the team only a short while ago. Gamer's Alliance interviewed Jason about the IGDA and our mission to help the developer community. Take a look at the interview at to see what's in the works at your favorite industry organization: http://www.ga-hardware.com/features.cfm?id=Jrocca And, speaking of Jason, an official press release announcing his new role with the IGDA went out earlier this month: http://www.igda.org/press_101700.htm ================ 2 Current Events ================ 2.1 IGF Student Showcase ------------------------ Are you a full-time student who's just finished a game, and you want to show it to the world? At the Third-Annual Independent Games Festival, you may get that chance. The IGF Student Showcase, where games developed by students will be displayed to the world, was recently announced. The IGF Student Showcase will invite five talented teams of students to show off their games to thousands of people at the IGF pavilion at the Game Developers Conference in March, 2001, in San Jose, CA. Jump online for further details: http://www.gdconf.com/indiegames/studentshowcase/index.htm (The IGF Student Showcase is an IGDA sponsored event.) 2.2 Prep for GDC 2001 --------------------- As always, the annual Game Developer Conference is a prime event for the community to connect. Next year's GDC will be no exception. As such, the IGDA crew is hard at work preparing for a great show. We welcome all input, feedback and ideas from the community as to what you'd like to see the IGDA do, or present, at the show. Please, nothing too crazy... ================= 3 Active Programs ================= 3.1 Committees -------------- Education Committee http://www.igda.org/committees/education.htm Co-chaired by: Warren Spector, Executive Director, ION Storm Austin Doug Church Software Patents Committee: pending Violence in Games Committee: pending 3.2 Special Interest Groups --------------------------- 3D Graphics SIG http://www.igda.org/SIGs/3d_graphics.htm Moderated by: Fred Gill, Technical Director, Kaboom! Studios Education Committee SIG http://www.igda.org/SIGs/education_committee.htm Moderated by: the Education Committee Game AI SIG http://www.igda.org/SIGs/game_ai.htm Moderated by: Alexander Nareyek, ai-center.com Eric Dybsand, Senior Consultant, Glacier Edge Technology Steven Woodcock, Integration and Systems Lead, Raytheon Machinima SIG http://www.igda.org/SIGs/machinima.htm Moderated by: Hugh Hancock, Chairman, Strange Company Online Games SIG http://www.igda.org/SIGs/online_games.htm Moderated by: Alex Jarett, Chairman, IGDA Crosbie Fitch, Senior Programmer, Computer Artworks Project Management SIG http://www.igda.org/SIGs/project_management.htm Moderated by: Trond Larsen, Producer, Funcom 3.3 Chapters ------------ Chapters are up and running in the following areas: Florida India Ohio Utah Those interested in these chapters, or in starting a new chapter are encouraged to check out the details online: http://www.igda.org/chapters_over.htm ================= 4 Logistical Bits ================= 4.1 IGDA Registration Info -------------------------- Your support is critical to the success of the IGDA, and our industry. Our membership is made up of programmers, designers, artists, producers and many other development professionals who see the importance of working together to advance games and game development as a craft. There are dozens of reasons to join the IGDA, ranging from personal career advancement to more lofty industry-wide goals. What are you waiting for? Join today! http://www.igda.org/join.htm 4.2 Contact Info ---------------- Contact our Membership Coordinator if you have questions, comments or input. Liz Wakefield IGDA Membership Coordinator liz@igda.org