=============================== IGDA Newsletter - December 2003 =============================== ============================= 0: A Word From Kathy Schoback 1: IGDA News - Game Accessibility Survey - IGDA's GDC Scholarship Program Now Accepting Applications - Guide to Game Writing - Article: "Regulation Is Everyone's Business" - Australian Developer Conference Summary Report and Pictures - Columns Update 2: Chapter Updates... 3: From the Wires - Media Literacy Begins at Home - Jack Thompson: The Real Motive - ESRB Survey Fights Back Against Criticism - Second Lifers get Intellectual Property Rights - Snuff Games and Ratings - Games Go to Work - Playground Evolution - Gender Inclusive Game Design - Vice City "Racism" Sparks Protests from US Haitian Community - MP Demands Ban on Video Hoons - Thai Gamers Soak up Computer Skills - Why Girls and Games are a Good Mix - Lieberman Vows to Fight Violent Video Games - Lawsuit Fires up in Case of Vanishing Virtual Weapons - Pensioners Catch the Gaming Bug 4: Logistical Bits ============================= ============================= Partner Ad: Softimage ============================= SOFTIMAGEŽ|XSIŽ is helping game developers create the new real. This year alone leading games companies including Valve, Ubisoft, Konami and Capcom made the move to SOFTIMAGE|XSI. To thank the industry for endorsing SOFTIMAGE|XSI as the leading nonlinear 3-D production tool, Softimage is announcing special limited-time promotions which will make it even easier for you to Make The Move. Now, through December 22, 2003, you can save $4000 on SOFTIMAGE|XSI Essentials & Advanced. Plus, when you sign up for Maintenance, you will receive FREE Upgrades on all versions of XSI (version 1.0 and up). Jump online to take full advantage of these extraordinary savings: http://www.softimage.com/IGDA/ ============================= ============================= 0: A Word From Kathy Schoback ============================= Dear Members and friends, As we close the year, I'd like to thank everyone involved with the IGDA for a wonderful 2003. Whether you're actively volunteering, just sent in your member dues, or watching from the periphery, you are all making this org the strongest and most member-driven entity in the videogame industry today. Some highlights that validate our increasing value to game developers: - Membership is up over 150% against 2002 numbers. - Renewal rate increasing year-on-year - from 14% in 2000 to 44% this year. - A wonderful and growing slate of Studio Affiliates (http://www.igda.org/studios/) and industry Partners (http://www.igda.org/partners/). - Healthy local chapters, lively and constructive online forums, an energetic student membership and useful committee output for game developers worldwide. I raise my eggnog in salute! Best holiday wishes and a happy new year, Kathy Schoback Chairperson, IGDA Director of Product Operations, Eidos ============================= Partner Ad: Mary-Margaret.com ============================= Mary-Margaret.com provides professional recruiting services in entertainment software, performing Retainer and Contingency searches for the game industry elite. We are actively seeking experienced individuals for the following: - Sr. MP Programmers - Concept Artist - 3D Modelers, Texturers and Animators - Finance Manager - VP of Marketing Find out more at http://www.mary-margaret.com/ ============================= ============ 1: IGDA News ============ Game Accessibility Survey ------------------------- The IGDA's Game Accessibility SIG is conducting on online survey to inform work on a whitepaper that will guide development and design of accessible games for people with disabilities (including hearing impaired, low vision, dyslexia, etc.). Developers already working in this area of game development are encouraged to please fill in the web form before January 31st. To qualify you must have produced at least one title available for download and/or purchase that includes accessibility features for at least one disability group. The survey and further details are online: http://www.igda.org/accessibility/survey.htm IGDA's GDC Scholarship Program Now Accepting Applications --------------------------------------------------------- The IGDA has just launched the 4th annual Student Scholarship Program. Twenty-five college students will be awarded complimentary full access passes to the Game Developers Conference. Students can now apply online. The deadline to enter is Wednesday, January 28, 2004. Recipients will be announced in early February 2004. Applicants are required to be full-time college students (or equivalent) and IGDA student members for consideration. The IGDA's Education Committee and board members will judge scholarship applications. http://www.igda.org/scholarships Guide to Game Writing --------------------- The Game Writers' Special Interest Group of the IGDA has launched an impressive "Guide to Game Writing." The Guide covers such diverse topics as writer roles, writing for licenses, wage rates, and more. The Guide is available for download from the SIG's web site in pdf format: http://www.igda.org/writing/ Article: "Regulation Is Everyone's Business" -------------------------------------------- First printed in the October issue of Game Developer magazine, this article covers the importance of developer awareness (and concern) over issues such as government regulation, censorship, and content ratings. These issues fundamentally affect all developers and we need to be more proactive as a community. Several recommendations are provided. http://www.igda.org/articles/dellarocca_regulation.php http://slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=03/12/03/1940257 Australian Developer Conference Summary Report and Pictures ----------------------------------------------------------- The 5th annual Australian Game Developers Conference took place late November in Melbourne. The IGDA was on hand to scope out the Aussie game dev scene, lecture on game education and industry issues, and lay the groundwork for the first Australian IGDA chapter. Check out further details and fun pictures in the report: http://www.igda.org/blogs/realitypanic/archives/000062.html Columns Update -------------- Monthly columns updated for December: - The Ivory Tower: Abstraction: An Untapped Potential http://www.igda.org/columns/ivorytower/ - Famous Last Words: Strategies to Get Paid http://www.igda.org/columns/lastwords/ - Culture Clash: Your Public Needs You - Why do we Care What Nongamers Think? http://www.igda.org/columns/clash/ - The Games Game: The Right School http://www.igda.org/columns/gamesgame/ ================== 2: Chapter Updates ================== Complete list of chapter reports and upcoming meetings: http://www.igda.org/chapters/updates.php Seattle Meeting, December > IGF Student Game Showcase Review Part II http://www.igda.org/seattle/meet.htm Houston Report, December > Better late then never: Houston meeting update http://igda15.polygonists.org/ Israel Report, December > Mobile Game Development Seminar Report http://www.igda.org/israel/report8.htm DC & Vicinity Meeting, December > Simulistic LLC, Virginia http://www.igda.org/dc/meetings.htm Montreal Meeting, December > David Freeman on Creating Emotion in Games http://www.igda.org/montreal/index_e.htm#next Amsterdam Report, November > FLUX mini-symposium @ HKU http://www.fjbproductions.com/IGDAAC/20031107_FLUX.html Vancouver Report, November > Social Gathering at Soho Billiards http://www.igda.org/vancouver/vancouverMeetingsNovember2003.php San Francisco Report, November > Online Games Panel http://www.igda.org/sanfran/bayarea_summary_Nov03.htm Atlanta Report, November > Jaymin Kessler, UGA Student gave PS2 programming intro http://www.igda.org/atlanta/ Colorado Report, November >Developing Games in Shockwave 3D http://www.coloradogamedev.org/20031103.html ================= 3: From the Wires ================= Media Literacy Begins at Home http://www.technologyreview.com/articles/wo_jenkins120503.asp?p=0 Jack Thompson: The Real Motive http://www.buzzcut.com/article.php?story=20031122042658659 ESRB Survey Fights Back Against Criticism http://games.slashdot.org/games/03/12/07/0758222.shtml?tid=127 Second Lifers get Intellectual Property Rights http://www.gamespot.com/pc/rpg/secondlife/news_6083556.html Snuff Games and Ratings http://money.cnn.com/2003/11/26/commentary/game_over/column_gaming/index.htm Games Go to Work http://business.mainetoday.com/news/030914seriousgames.shtml Playground Evolution http://www.guardian.co.uk/online/story/0,3605,1093532,00.html Gender Inclusive Game Design http://www.idevgames.com/content/article.php?id=154 Vice City "Racism" Sparks Protests from US Haitian Community http://www.gamesindustry.biz/content_page.php?section_name=pub&aid=2626 MP Demands Ban on Video Hoons http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/11/15/1068674436769.html Thai Gamers Soak up Computer Skills http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/3235852.stm Why Girls and Games are a Good Mix http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/3248461.stm Lieberman Vows to Fight Violent Video Games http://greenvilleonline.com/news/2003/11/03/2003110318170.htm Lawsuit Fires up in Case of Vanishing Virtual Weapons http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/en/doc/2003-11/20/content_283094.htm Pensioners Catch the Gaming Bug http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/3287891.stm ============================= Partner Ad: Game Developers Conference 2004 ============================= Game Developers Conference 2004 March 22-26, Conference March 24-26, Expo San Jose, California http://www.gdconf.com Game industry growth is radically accelerating and ever-changing market conditions demand evolution. As risks increase, developers must adopt new methodologies and pipelines, as well as anticipate and meet skyrocketing consumer expectation. To continue to engage audiences, developers must reinvigorate existing genres and properties, and create compelling new ones. Evolve. Register now at http://www.gdconf.com/ and take advantage of early discounts on every GDC pass. Use priority code: CIGDA4 when registering to receive an additional $25 discount off the pass price. ============================= ================== 4: Logistical Bits ================== 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: - Softimage - Quinnipiac University 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 get need help, contact us at info@igda.org. IGDA Registration ----------------- 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. What are you waiting for? Join today. http://www.igda.org/join Contact Information ------------------- Do not hesitate to contact us if you have questions, comments or input. http://www.igda.org/contact.php ------- - end - -------