Microsoft vs IGDA
Mon, 2004/11/29 - 04:41
We've been invited to attend "a meeting on game development in order to promote the topic at different universities/polytechnic institutes in Belgium". And in a follow up mail, the question "which structure is needed to put Belgium on the map for game
development. is IGDA enough?" came up.
Obviously the Belgian IGDA is not enough. But how do we feel about Microsoft taking its place?
The reality is that an IGDA chapters is not enough to "create" a game development industry/community.
Chapters are meant to strengthen an existing community, and help it grow by fostering connections, the sharing of ideas, etc, etc. But, starting/running an chapter where there are no developers isn't going to get you far.
Rather, it takes talents/committed people willing to take the risk of creating games. It takes an education system that can produce that talent. And, always nice if the local government provides some kind of support (tax break, small business grand, R&D subsidies, etc).
Also, I'd suggest that getting "on the map" requires the creation on new/original IP. Only with original IP can you gain the recognition and wealth to build momentum to establish a local industry.
See my comments from a recent Irish interview:
http://www.siliconrepublic.com/news/news4a.nv?storyid=single3975
Jason