=============== IGDA Newsletter =============== December 1, 2000 ======================================== i A word from the Chairman 1 Newsworthy Items 1.1 Get $50 off your GDC Registration! 1.2 "Newbie" Outreach 1.3 Studio Affiliation Program 1.4 Student Outreach and the GDC Student Scholarships 1.5 NxN and Akin Gump Sponsor the IGDA 1.6 New Special Interest Groups Launched 2 Current Events 2.1 Prep for GDC 2001 3 Active Programs 3.1 Committees 3.2 Special Interest Groups 3.3 Chapters 4 Logistical Bits 4.1 Thanks to our Sponsors! 4.2 IGDA Registration Info 4.3 Contact Info ======================================== ========================== i A word from the Chairman ========================== Dear IGDA Friends and Members, This month's Scientific American cover story presents a fascinating view of the "The Future of Digital Entertainment". According to the story, the digital "Convergence" is actually around the corner. Of course, we've all been hearing that for years, but recent console sales and projections support that our industry is truly approaching a mass media size. The financial community supports this projection. Recent articles in Red Herring and analyst reports ranging from William Blair's Internet report to NPD's latest projections on the sector indicate that we are about to experience a major up-tick in industry sales of game hardware and software as we emerge from the latest round of platform upgrades. As we move into the Holiday season it's a great opportunity to be thankful that we are all part of such an exciting and fulfilling industry that continues to experience double digit growth. Although platform shifts aren't always easy, we're confident the industry will emerge as a stronger provider of great entertainment. To support you, the developer, during this period of great change, the IGDA has been making great strides to build a foundation for a vibrant professional community. In this latest newsletter, you'll learn about the latest in new Special Interest Groups, Chapters and other developments. The IGDA is also in the midst of finalizing some additional plans that will continue to grow our ability to support the community. Stay tuned. In the meantime, enjoy this current newsletter and the programs within. On behalf of all of us at the IGDA, Happy Holidays and Happy New Year. Alex Jarett Chairman, IGDA ================== 1 Newsworthy Items ================== 1.1 Get $50 off your GDC Registration! -------------------------------------- Online registration for the 2001 Game Developers Conference is now live at www.gdconf.com. Don't forget that as an IGDA member, you get a $50 discount when registering. You'll need your IGDA Member# in order to claim the discount. If you've forgotten or misplaced your # simply contact us for a reminder: Liz Wakefield IGDA Membership Coordinator 1.2 "Newbie" Outreach --------------------- Check out our Newbies page, where we provide several open forums for discussions, and links to a slew of great articles and resources to help you get started - from setting up interviews, to brushing up your resume, to legal tips for starting a new game dev studio. This is meant as a resource for those wanting to get into the industry. Also, for you industry veterans who get bombarded by newbie emails daily, here's an easy way to point newbies in the right direction: send them to our Newbie page! http://www.igda.org/outreach/newbies.htm 1.3 Studio Affiliation Program ------------------------------ We are excited to introduce a new membership package specifically for development studios. Our Studio Affiliation Program is designed as a valuable benefit for studio managers to present to their development teams. By joining the Affiliation Program, a game development studio heavily subsidizes its employees' individual IGDA membership fees - allowing them inexpensive access to individual IGDA member benefits. In addition, Studios receive some unique benefits, all while showing support for the community. http://www.igda.org/studio_sap.htm 1.4 Student Outreach and the GDC Student Scholarships ----------------------------------------------------- Game development students seeking resources and information can find both on our new Student Outreach page. The IGDA's Education Committee is working to provide real benefits to students, and we will continue to pass these along to you. We are especially pleased to announce the GDC 2001Scholarship, which will be awarded to up to 25 promising students of game development. Get more info on the Student Outreach page: http://www.igda.org/outreach/students.htm http://www.igda.org/press_112100.htm 1.5 NxN and Akin Gump Sponsor the IGDA -------------------------------------- We are pleased to announce two new IGDA sponsors. Both NxN Software and Akin, Gump, Strauss, Hauer, & Feld have signed on as sponsors. NxN is a leading supplier of digital media asset management solutions for the interactive entertainment and new media industries. Akin Gump is a leading law firm providing legal counsel to the high-tech and entertainment communities. Get more info at our Sponsors Index: http://www.igda.org/sponsors.htm 1.6 New Special Interest Groups Launched ---------------------------------------- We are pleased to announce four new SIGs that started up during the month of November. - Game Audio SIG: http://www.igda.org/SIGs/game_audio.htm Talk about where we are, where we're going, and where we want game audio to be in the future. Share experiences, ideas, and frustrations to make a better aural experience for everyone. - Independent Game Development SIG: http://www.igda.org/SIGs/indie_games.htm This SIG addresses the various facets of independent game development in order to foster an exchange of ideas and mutual cooperation between independent developers. Join the discussion now to see how others are living the "indie" dream. - QA/Testing SIG: http://www.igda.org/SIGs/qa.htm Talk about the professional development of QA departments within the game industry. Discuss the challenges that QA groups encounter and how to solve them. Take a look at what others have to say, and tell us how your department has conquered the odds. - WAP and Mobile Entertainment SIG: http://www.igda.org/SIGs/wap.htm In a few years, mobile devices will be able to broadcast games and entertainment to millions of users worldwide. Join the new WAP/Mobile Entertainment SIG to set the direction for this exciting new sector! ================ 2 Current Events ================ 2.1 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 http://www.igda.org/Committees/patents.htm Violence in Games Committee http://www.igda.org/Committees/violence.htm 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, Raytheo Game Audio SIG http://www.igda.org/SIGs/game_audio.htm Moderated by: Rob Ross, Composer, Sound endeavourS Independent Game Development SIG http://www.igda.org/SIGs/indie_games.htm Moderated by: Steve Pavlina, CEO, Dexterity Software and President, Association of Shareware Professionals Jeff Tunnell, President, Garagegames 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 QA/Testing SIG http://www.igda.org/SIGs/qa.htm Moderated by: Doug Noël, Game Test Coordinator, EA.com Quality Assurance Software Patents Committee SIG http://www.igda.org/SIGs/patents_committee.htm Moderated by: The Software Patents Committee Violence Committee SIG http://www.igda.org/SIGs/violence_committee.htm Moderated by: The Violence Committee WAP and Mobile Entertainment SIG http://www.igda.org/SIGs/wap.htm Moderated by: Markus Kassulke, Co-Founder and Manager, Handy Games 3.3 Chapters ------------ Chapters are up and running in the following areas: Florida India London Malaysia Ohio Seattle (Sputnik) 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 Thanks to our Sponsors! --------------------------- The IGDA extends its sincerest thanks to all our sponsors! Without the support of these sponsors, and the continued backing from the developer community, the IGDA simply would not survive - let alone thrive. Akin, Gump, Strauss, Hauer & Feld, LLP Gamasutra.com Game Developer Magazine Game Developers Conference NxN Software Inc. Get more info at our Sponsors Index: http://www.igda.org/sponsors.htm 4.2 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 4.3 Contact Info ---------------- Contact our Membership Coordinator if you have questions, comments or input. Liz Wakefield IGDA Membership Coordinator liz@igda.org