Phil Bourke 2010 Board Statement

Contact Phil

Candidate Position Statement:

As I write this statement my mobile phone is twittering after a student brainstorming session. We have just decided to include a Guitar Hero Drumkit marching band in our St. Patricks day parade.

 I'm happiest when trying something new - that's never been tried before - and making it work. I look forward to working with the worldwide IGDA network and challenges in effecting change for the benefit of your industry. Change is something this industry faces 24/7/365.

 Everyone in the games industry has the desire to create - and craves the exhilaration of creating something new. We have all endured crunch time and the elation of final release. We are also the people that read credits, because - as the credits roll - we hold court to an inner smile - while observing complete strangers engaging with our creations.

 The games industry in a sector of opposites - it can be fun or a drudge, moral or immoral, entertaining or disturbing. We make it what it is.

 Why am I involved? As gamers become more sophisticated and the games they interact with become more complex, interaction needs to evolve and become a far richer and immersive experience. This requires skilled designers and developers, who can create naturally elegant gamer experiences. Games designers and developers are at the leading edge in using technology as narrative parchment for this art.

 As an IGDA board member I would actively seek to engage and understand the issues facing both members and non-members, and would promise to work with organisations and policy makers to ensure game creators continue to be proud of what they do and proud to be part of this influential media.

Volunteer contributions:

IGDA Global Game Jam - Site organiser

XNA/DirectX MVP

STEM Ambassador

and

Hurling Coach (juniors)

Candidate Bio:

Philip Bourke is an ICT Specialist with Tipperary Institute with responsibility for academic delivery and services provisioning. Philip has over 21 year's industry experience in development, working with international organisations.

 He is course coordinator for Tipperary Institute's Bachelor of Science (Honours) Degree in Computing (Games Design and Development).

He has spoken at numerous conferences including UAE-2015 Challenges Conference, 2007, Games:EDU Develop Conference 2008 & 2009,  IMTC Conference 2008 & 2009 and XNA Fest 2009. He will present a workshop series on Games in Education, Doha, Qatar, March 2010.

He is an advocate for the adoption and use of technology in education and has organised a number of conferences and events to encourage educators to explore pedagogy through technology. He is also a STEM Ambassador, promoting science, technology, engineering and maths at science events such as Northern Ireland Young Innovators, Science Week and Engineers Week.

Philip is founder of the computer games festival, Games Fleadh, which includes games design and programming events such as Robocode Ireland, SchoolBots and the XNA Ireland Challenge. The XNA Ireland Challenge has celebrated the thirtieth anniversary of SPACE INVADERS © Taito Corporation 1978, 2010, Asteroids © Atari Interactive Inc. 1979, 2010 and on March 10th 2010 will celebrate the thirtieth anniversary of PAC-MAN © Namco-Bandai Games Inc. 1980, 2010.

Philip won the N-Gage Challenge mobile game design contest. He received Microsoft's XNA/DirectX Most Valuable Professional award for 2008, 2009 and 2010.

An honours computer science graduate of Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland he also holds a Masters in Software Engineering from the National University of Ireland, Maynooth.

Board Interview Q and A:

1. What do you see as the biggest challenge facing game developers today?  What should the IGDA's role be in addressing that challenge?

 Winning the eyes, ears, thumbs and digits of gamers. This is a challenge for both publishers, studios and independents. This is not an issue the IGDA can directly solve and requires blended approach that ensures representation from design, development, business and marketing.

 2.  How do you expect to contribute to the IGDA Board?  What qualifications or skills do you possess that will enhance your contributions?

I work with future games industry specialists not only in my current role, but also with a number of higher education institutions. I am an advocate of portfolio building. Whether these portfolios become new IP, or a means to a career in their chosen industry, is a function of how well I and others do our job. I think it is important in shaping the future of our industry, that we work closely with those who shape that future.

 I would, as a board member, continue and broaden my work as a link between industry and academics.

 3. How much time do you expect to volunteer to the IGDA?  How will you manage this commitment?

 I maintain a daily, weekly and monthly task lists under various headings. I hope to be in a position to create a new heading for prioritised IGDA activities.

 4. As an IGDA board member, you're often asked to get things done on a short timeframe and tight budget.  What do you think a reasonable expectation of a board member's contribution is? How will you accomplish your goals as a board member?

If it is important to the membership then it will be important to me, this will help to focus time allocation. My record demonstrates the ability to get the job done, to high standard, even when constrained by time and/or budgets.