Toronto
Mission Statement
To advance the careers and enhance the lives of game developers by connecting members with their peers, promoting professional development, and advocating on issues that affect the developer community.
We strive to:
- Create value for developers, while including non-professionals.
- Reflect Toronto's diversity and help strengthen our local game community by being inclusive to all, and continuing to reinforce that message.
- Participate in the community by supporting and collaborating with other game oriented events and organizations.
- Focus on quality (not quantity) while aiming to host monthly events.
If you make games for a living this place is for you! Of course, if you are not a pro but are really interested in making games professionally, you are more than welcome to participate!
Contact Info
Contact info: toronto@igda.org
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/igdatoronto
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/igdatoronto
RSS : http://www.igda.org/toronto/feed
News / updates
IGDA Toronto December Social
How can you tell that the year is coming to an end? Non-stop game community events!
IGDA Toronto is hosting the final social of the year on Thursday Dec 1st to complement HES and Gamercamp and roll us into the holiday season. Come join us and chill with your fellow game devs over a beer or three. Entry is free and we hope to see you there!
Post to TwitterIGDA Toronto and Sony Computer Entertainment America Presents: PlayStation® Perspectives - Key Initiatives & Developer Experiences
Ubisoft Toronto
224 Wallace Ave.
Suite #200
Toronto, Ontario M6H 1V7
Canada
More Than Pushing Polys: How to Become a Better Artist and Videogame Professional
Event: Metro Hall, 55 John Street, Room 308
Social to follow: The Ballroom, Upper Level, 145 John Street
IGDA Toronto: Elections, Elections!
As part of the 2010-2011 reboot, the IGDA Toronto chapter promised to review its organization and structure on an annual basis, to ensure that it stays fresh and current with the needs of the local game developer community.
Applications are now open for anyone who is interested in participating in the Chapter Organizational Committee either as a Committee Member, or running for the role of chapter President for 2012. Please note that these roles are on a volunteer basis only, for a 1-year renewable term.
APPLICATION PROCESS
Comedy Night at the Black Swan Tavern!
Come on out on Thursday, August 25 and laugh it up, fuzzball!
Featuring comics specializing in geek, tech and pop culture styles.
The event is free, but a donation of $5 will get you a draw prize ticket and help support the comedians.
Doors open at 7pm, show starts at 8.
Stick around afterward the show for networking, socializing, and lies about cake.
The Black Swan Tavern is at 154 Danforth Avenue, at Danforth and Broadview, by Broadview TTC Station.
Toronto, ON M4K 1N1, (416) 469-0537
IGDA Toronto Chapter Game Developer Studio Series: Phantom Compass
IGDA Toronto Chapter Game Developer Studio Series
By Rebecca Phoa
The IGDA Toronto Chapter Game Developer Studio Series is part of a new initiative launched by the IGDA Toronto Chapter to familiarize anyone with an interest in video games with Toronto game developers.
IGDA Toronto Chapter Present Fund in the Sun!
Government funding. If you've spent any time in the Canadian game dev scene, you know it exists. If not, you should know that many of the games created in Canada were made possible by government grants, and we're the envy of the world due to the support we receive! We've seen numerous presentations about the logistics of applying for these funds, but we've never had a meeting quite like this.
Join us on Thursday July 28 at 7:30 PM for a special roundtable meeting as we dissect funding applications for video games.
IGDA Toronto: Tiny TOJam Postmortems, June 8 2011
On a Thursday evening in Toronto, a journalist told an assembled group to “kill your babies” and everyone seemed to agree with her. No, this wasn't some infanticide advocacy group; this was IGDA Toronto's “Straight Outta TOJam: Pint-Sized Postmortems” event held at Metro Hall on June 9th, 2011. The event was organized to showcase a few of the stories and lessons learned during the recent Toronto Indie Game Jam.
Update: Presenters announced! Straight Outta TOJam: Pint-Sized Postmortems
IGDA Toronto Spring Gala Report
Did you miss the Gala? See a video of the whole show here!
The Bell TIFF Lightbox hosted another star-studded event tonight. This time, the stars of Toronto's game development scene—indie and big ticket alike—came out to discuss their games and their studios. All that was missing was the red carpet (Note: for the next Gala, obtain a red carpet. Or at least a red shower curtain). For attendees, it was a great introduction to the local players in the industry.
24 Things We Learned from IGDA Toronto Open Mic Night
It was a great night of ranting at IGDA Toronto's Inaugural Open Mic Night. Many, many topics were discussed, often with a great deal of profanity, and always with passion. Here are the 24 things we learned from last night:
1. “Narrative Dissonance” occurs when the in-game actions contradict the game's fiction. E.g. When the player character moves merrily along despite being showered with bullets, but is disabled by a single gunshot to the shoulder during a cutscene.
- Craig D. Adams
2. Coconuts have yet to be peer reviewed. - Mathew Kumar
Call for Participation for IGDA Toronto Spring Gala
Call for Participation for IGDA Toronto Spring Gala
As you may already be aware, the IGDA Toronto chapter has a renewed energy and focus this year to support our local game community. Our goal is to be inclusive of all, and to celebrate our incredibly diverse group of developers and game-oriented organizations, which includes celebrating you and your achievements!
Open Mic Night
Got something on your mind? We want to hear what you have to say! Join us for an evening of 5-minute rants about the video game industry. To submit your own rant idea, send an email to
GDC 2011 Round-Up
By Jason MacIsaac
Another successful GDC is behind us. We’re all back home in Toronto, ready to get back to the serious business of fun. For those of us who unfortunately could not attend, prominent members of the Toronto game development community spoke tonight and tortured us—excuse me—enchanted us with tales of their experiences at GDC. The sessions, the talks, the parties, the swag, the people.
First up was Jim McGinley of Big Pants Games. Jim commented on the session he liked… and a few he didn't. He was impressed with the dev kits he saw, such as one by Qualcomm, which is meant to make augmented reality game design easier. Jim’s advice for people deciding which of the many sessions to attend? “Go to the design ones.” Jim says that the technical ones are usually too advanced or short to be really useful, but the design ones can be inspirational.
GDC 2011 Round-Up
By Jason MacIsaac
Another successful GDC is behind us. We’re all back home in Toronto, ready to get back to the serious business of fun. For those of us who unfortunately could not attend, prominent members of the Toronto game development community spoke tonight and tortured us—excuse me—enchanted us with tales of their experiences at GDC. The sessions, the talks, the parties, the swag, the people.
First up was Jim McGinley of Big Pants Games. Jim commented on the session he liked… and a few he didn't. He was impressed with the dev kits he saw, such as one by Qualcomm, which is meant to make augmented reality game design easier. Jim’s advice for people deciding which of the many sessions to attend? “Go to the design ones.” Jim says that the technical ones are usually too advanced or short to be really useful, but the design ones can be inspirational.
GDC Round-Up
When: Monday, March 14th – 7:30pm presentation begins
What: IGDA Toronto Presentation Night - GDC Round-Up
Where: Metro Hall, 55 John Street, Room 308
Entry: Free
RSVP: toronto@igda.org (not mandatory, but greatly appreciated!)
*Social to follow at Elephant & Castle at ~9pm (212 King St. W).
Game. Set. Match. - Summary Report
By Derek Maninang
Love was in the air (for games that is) as the IGDA Toronto hosted their first event of 2011. It was a speed dating style networking event straight out of the pages of Cupid’s handbook and the IGDA Toronto was there to make it happen! This event packed the room with over one hundred registered participants all eager to engage in a night of passionate networking.
Game.Set.Match. Speed Networking Event
Game.Set.Match. Speed Networking Event
Love (of games) is in the air at the IGDA Toronto Chapter!
Find the perfect partners for your independent game project in a speed-dating style networking event.
FUN FACT: Reading is boring! If you know about the event and just want to sign up, click here: http://bit.ly/gamesetmatch
Where? Metro Hall (King W & John) Rooms 308 & 309
When? Thursday, February 10, 7:30pm.
How to Register? Register here: http://bit.ly/gamesetmatch
Fresh Start for 2011
The IGDA Toronto chapter committee has been working with their new president, Lesley Phord-Toy, for the past few months preparing for a successful 2011! We're not ready to share our plans yet, but stay tuned for when we announce our first events for the upcoming season.
IMPORTANT: there will be no January social or event.
For ongoing chapter news, stay tuned to this website, or follow us on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/igdatoronto) or Twitter (http://www.twitter.com/igdatoronto).
Season's greetings to everyone and hope you all have a happy new year! See you in 2011!
IGDA Toronto Elects New President
After 9 years of dedication and leadership, current IGDA Toronto President Josh Druckman announced that he would be stepping down from his role at the end of the year. Josh along with the members of the committee has been looking for the right person to take over the position.
On September 9th, the Toronto IGDA Committee elected, Lesley Phord-Toy as the new President to head the chapter. She will be officially taking on the role at the start of 2011.
