2010 Handy Dandy Pittsburgh IGDA Candidate Guide™

• Global Game Jam Coordinator
• South Side Studio Crawl Coordinator
• Gamers Give Back Coordinator

Statement:
The position will provide other people with access and connections that they would not have if events like this or any like it existed. If people aren't willing to get involved in functions such as these then events like this won't continue. I'd like the opportunity to serve the community by working on the board. The position will challenge me to grow as a person and will help me to do something more than just for myself but for other people in the area and those with similar interests as myself.

I'd like to get more involved and get myself back into the idea of involving myself in Game Development related activities and get to know more about the people that are doing the same thing in the area. I believe this kind of position would help to engage me into this kind of thing and will be a rewarding experience to involve myself with. I hope that I will be taken into consideration and I'll have the chance to work for others and not just myself.

• Vice-Chair
  

Statement:
I've been fortunate to have the opportunity to build and lead a serious games studio in our region for the past four years focused on education. Almost all of our talent is local, and since our recent move to the Southside we've been eager to participate in PIDGA activities on a more regular basis.

The Pittsburgh game development community has the potential for continued growth and prominence locally and around the world. This not only helps existing game developers here, but will attract new energy and diversity to the city. It also plays an important role in providing jobs for people who enjoy the quality of life here but might otherwise leave for the West Coast or other industry hubs. Combating post-grad brain drain is a good thing, but the hope and vision this offers local youth is a net-positive on a whole different scale. Kids today want to grow up and make games, and by seeing that happening right here they can picture their future working locally in a way that doesn't dump poison into the sky and rivers, and doesn't involve delivering low-paying catch phrases like "welcome to wal-mart."

On a bigger scale, the kind of work we do, as opposed to manufacturing, is a key element to keeping the US competitive globally far into the future. What could be a more potent symbol of that transformation than game development in Pittsburgh? But, more than a symbol, it takes hard work on the ground to make that happen, which is why I want to help PIGDA make a difference.

• Global Game Jam Coordinator
• Board Game Jam Coordinator
  
• South Side Studio Crawl Coordinator
  

Statement:
I have no business running for an IGDA coordinator position.  I have never attended an IGDA event nor am I even in the game industry.  And I am shy and weird.

With that said, I care about people and want to help make the IGDA better.  And for a guy, I'm pretty coordinated.

• Chair
• Vice-Chair
• Treasurer
  

Statement:
I generally take the role of gadfly.  After attending various PIGDA functions and events over the years, I've never been shy about pointing out what could have been done better, and how things should be planned in the future.  I view this as an opportunity for people to make me put up or shut up.

In addition to making decisions and making things happen, I also have an interest in the new effort to create a more formal chapter structure, including crafting a set of bylaws, setting up an intelligent election process, and creating a more formal financial system.

I've been involved with the Community for Pittsburgh Ultimate, a similar community oriented, volunteer-based non-profit, for many years, and have observed plenty of growing pains as it has become a more formal organization.  While PIGDA is a bit different as a local chapter to a larger organization, I think there are plenty of lessons that can be applied

• Gamers Give Back Coordinator
  

Statement:
Hi, I'm Jia, the CEO of Couchange (http://www.linkedin.com/in/jiaji). I currently serve on the PIGDA Planning Committee and have been involved with the local chapter since 2003, when I was working on "A Tale in the Desert" at eGenesis. I am running for the Gamers Give Back Coordinator.

I enjoyed running the charity yard sale portion of the first Gamers Give Back event (http://edeify.com/2007/11/26/gamers-give-back/) that raised $2,537 for the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh. So much so that I ended up reusing our event's name for the title of the "gaming related charities" panel I moderated at PAX last year (http://www.paxscheduler.com/event.php?id=20).

Since I run an international social venture that builds online donation platforms for charities nowadays, I no longer live full-time in Pittsburgh anymore, so can only commit to helping out with the one event. However, I will try to be back in Pittsburgh each year for November and December to make logistics easier. But just in case, I wouldn't mind splitting the coordination duty with someone based full-time in Pittsburgh

• Vice-Chair
• Secretary
• Global Game Jam Coordinator

Statement:
I've always been interested in what the IGDA does and I would like to contribute more to the day to day working of the IGDA. I've previously held Board positions in my local IEEE chapter and am aware of the added responsibilities and time commitment.

South Side Studio Crawl Coordinator
• Gamers Give Back Coordinator

Statement:
When I came to Pittsburgh, one of the first organizations I sought out to learn more about the game development scene in Pittsburgh was the IGDA chapter.  Through the IGDA I met contacts and networked, as well as learned about the local companies as well as game development tips and ideas in general.  I can certainly say I wouldn't have gotten as far as I have professionally, without the help of people I met through IGDA events.

As a member of the Pittsburgh IGDA Planning committee I've always been a team player and tried to help out whenever I could.  I hope that moving forward I'll be able to help the local chapter grow, and attract new members.

• Secretary
• Global Game Jam Coordinator
  
  

Statement:
I've been helping lead the Pittsburgh IGDA for the past 5 years. It has been great to see the chapter grow and change over that time. I feel very passionate about the importance of the role the IGDA plays in the Pittsburgh community. I am excited about seeing new leadership flourish for PIGDA and I hope to remain involved in some capacity for the next two years to help transition the new board through the formalization of the chapter.

The position I am most interested in filling is the Global Game Jam Coordinator. Having watched, participated, and helped out with the Game Jam over the past 2 years, I feel I have a handle on how the event is run and how it can continue to be cultivated and improved during the next two years.

I also have a good deal of experience sending emails and taking notes on behalf of the chapter- so I also have some interest in the role of Secretary.

• Chair
• Treasurer
  

Statement:
Hi everyone! I've served as a PIGDA planner of events for five years now, most recently in an unofficial treasurer role. I enjoy being a part of the Pittsburgh Chapter and helping to plan events and I hope to continue on with the Planning Board. I'm also a big fan of the Pittsburgh game development community in general, and I've seen it grow to quite a substantial force.  I think we have one of the most active chapters out there and believe there's much more we can accomplish!