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Sean Kane 2010 Board Statement

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Candidate Position Statement:

The IGDA is a non-profit trade association that was born out of the need of individuals and business entities involved in the video game market to have a voice in shaping and developing the future and direction of the industry.  The IGDA channels the concerns of developers and provides a mechanism to address the various issues that impact the relevant market, backed by the strength and support of an international organization.  The IGDA’s members supply a broad spectrum of products and services to the industry and range from large corporations to individual designers.  The IGDA provides a service to its members in the video game market by helping to establish a favorable operating environment, by providing a forum for discussion on non-competitive issues, and by providing information to assist them in their business.

If I was elected to a director position it would be my goal to promote professionalism and growth in the industry, as well as a sense of community and information sharing among members.  Through educational programs, personal contact with policy makers, conferences and dissemination of information, the IGDA must promote the interests of its members in the many areas where those interests are often forgotten or not considered at all.  Moreover, the IGDA must strive to nurture and improve the understanding and image of the multi-billion dollar video game industry in government, the media and general business and educational circles.

What the IGDA should do:

  • Provide an official, unified voice in response to legislative and media issues concerning developers in the video game industry.
  • Provide an official, unified voice in response to regulators, law enforcement or judicial issues concerning developers in the video game industry.
  • Promote public education to businesses concerning the various benefits and commercial uses of video game development.
  • Promote public education concerning the various benefits of video game development, including, but not limited to entertainment, research and education.
  • Establishment of “Best Practice” principles for video game development.
  • Act as a resource for information about the video game industry.

Candidate Bio:

As for my background and why I would make a great Director for the IGDA, I am the founder of Kane & Associates LLC and I manage the firm’s Interactive Entertainment Practice Group.  Kane & Associates LLC was founded specifically to service clients in the video game and interactive entertainment sector.  I have represented clients on matters involving various business segments, such as video games, virtual worlds, social networking, computer software, and the Internet.  Through this work I have been involved at every step in the development of video games and I understand what works and what does not from both a business and legal perspective.  I am also a member of the American Bar Association Section of Intellectual Property Law (Co-Chair of the Committee on Virtual Worlds and Computer Gaming), as well as a member of the Section of Science & Technology Law (Co-Chair of the Virtual Worlds and Multiuser Online Games Committee).  Through my Co-Chairmanship of these two committees I have the unique position to influence the positions that the ABA takes on issues involving the video game industry.   

I thank you for your consideration.

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?

 

Personally, the biggest challenge that I see facing the game industry and developers today is a lack of respect for the innovation that is coming out of video game production.  The video game industry is already the most important sector in entertainment yet it is often treated like the weird uncle in the family; the one only invited over on certain holidays.  As an industry we drive the technological innovation of computers, as well as other hardware and software.  This innovation is being capitalized on in other entertainment sectors like movies and television.  However, even though those sectors are steadily losing audience traction while the video game sector is actually gaining audience share, we are still marginalized.  Being a video game developer is not considered a real profession by much of the public at large.  I think that the IGDA should rise up and take control of the image of the video game development industry.  We should consider working with other organizations like the ESA and Academy of Interactive Arts and Sciences to demonstrate the value that videogames have contributed and continue to contribute.  The IGDA should have as it goal that every adult understand that the successes in the video game area dwarf those of traditional entertainment media.       

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

 

My knowledge and organizational skill sets will allow me to contribute greatly to the IGDA Board.  As a video game lawyer having equally worked with small start-up, mid-size companies and the large publishers, I have a unique perspective as to how the various contingents in the industry work together.  I am aware of the legal issues facing the industry from players and various governmental agencies, as well as the business concerns that are faced by the industry.  Given the IGDA’s current movement towards a more formalized central and chapter structure, someone with my various skills will be invaluable.  Additionally, as a small business owner myself, I understand the memberships’ concerns better than many other candidates who may be employed by larger companies.  Moreover, as a frequent lecturer I am in the position to advocate for the interests of the IGDA around the United States and internationally, as well as meeting with various individuals that may help advance the IGDA’s goals. 

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

 

I expect to likely volunteer hundreds of hours a year to the IGDA Board.  To fully make an impact on an organization it is important to be available and spend the requisite time needed to ensure that all plans and outreach are fully completed.  As the Co-Chair of the Committee on Virtual Worlds and Computer Gaming for the American Bar Association Section of Intellectual Property Law and the founder and Co-Chair of the Virtual Worlds and Multiuser Online Games Committee of the American Bar Association of the Section of Science & Technology Law, I am well aware of the potential amount of time necessary for a Board position.  However, given that I founded and run my own business I am the master of my ship, so to speak.  I am in the enviable position to set my own schedule which affords me the opportunity to contribute the time that is necessary to see my IGDA Board duties to fruition. 

 
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?

 

Given the nature of my business and my clients I am well versed in working under a budget and within time constraints.  An IGDA Board member takes on a large responsibility for an organizations with thousands of members.  Therefore, it is important for their contributions to be likewise grand.  Depending on the nature of the issue being dealt with it is the duty of a Board Member to act and respond expeditiously under the circumstances.  This may mean responding to emails fully and quickly, participating in meetings on a bi-weekly or monthly basis, or even convening an emergency meeting without much notice.  Really what is at issue is that a Board Member needs to do whatever is needed to get the job done.