Update re: Philly Game Jam

The following is a letter from Grant Shonkwiler, Chair, IGDA Philadelphia

It is with great difficulty and sadness that we must announce the postponement of the Philly Game Jam.  After discussion, the Chapter Leadership has decided not to hold it this year. We will be hosting the IGDA lead Global Game Jam in January and because that is right around the corner, we want to focus on that for now. The plan is to return the Philly Game Jam next year in either late spring (May) or early fall (September).

There are several reasons as to why we have made the decision to postpone:

1. Location -- Having looked at several spots and discussed it with a various people, the type of location we need isn't surfacing. Not having the location pushes off everything.

2. Several things have come up that we need to address in the Chapter before focusing on something as big as the Philly Game Jam. Those include finding a new location for regular Chapter meetings, sponsorships, upcoming Chapter elections, student focused meetings, the IGDA membership drive, the IGDA Philadelphia logo contest, prepping for the Global Game Jam, finishing out this year with content and just keeping the Chapter together.

3. We don't want to lower the awesomeness that is PGJ. We feel that Daniel Hettrick has done an amazing job with PGJ and the IGDA Philly team trying to throw it together with so little time will not only make us look unorganized, but lower the value of PGJ. We would much rather bring it back next year bigger and better than ever!

4. If we wait we will have tested the waters with GGJ, we will hopefully have chapter sponsors and a great location already established for PGJ.

I want to personally apologize to everyone who was looking forward to this event. I dropped the ball as Chair. We were just not prepared to hold this event but I promise you that Philly Game Jam will return next year!

If you have any questions, comments, concerns, ideas for potential locations or sponsors, or just want to vent, feel free to email me (gshonk(at)gmail.com) or the chapter leadership (philly(at)igda.org).

Grant Shonkwiler

Chair, IGDA Philadelphia