GWSIG Monthly Meeting Minutes/GWSIG Meeting9

International Game Developers Association

Ed: Hey all, sorry I'm late.
Chris Bateman: Hi Ed! See if you can find a virtual seat amongst the hordes of attendees. :)
Chris Bateman: I guess we'll get started. Let me just find the agenda...
Ed: I'll be in the back row.
Chris Bateman: Hmm... this is the agenda from last time. It hasn't been updated at all.
Chris Bateman: I guess we'll do what we can.
Ed: I'd like to add Write Club to the agenda if I could.
Chris Bateman: Bring it up in AOB, Ed. Not a problem.
Chris Bateman: Okay... Matters Arising...
Chris Bateman: A. Quarterly SIG Report (Coray Seifert) - absent!
WendyDespain: i sent out an email after the last meeting detailing what we did to the agenda. want me to resend it to you Chris?
Chris Bateman: It depends, how long will it take me to process it? I'd just as soon work through the old agenda on the fly, I think.
Chris Bateman: B. Writer's Book (Chris Bateman). I'm here!
WendyDespain: ok
Chris Bateman: This is, as far as I know, all proceeding modestly smoothly. Draft chapters have either been written, or alternative schedules planned. Nothing much to report... some writers complained about the chapter lengths being too short, then the publisher said "make it longer", then some writers complained at the chapter lengths being too long. Anyway, it all seems sorted now. Moving on...
Chris Bateman: C. Censored Words List from Censorship Committee (Chris Bateman): Rich Dansky to take forward by approaching ESRB?
Chris Bateman: Rich isn't here, and I think this agenda point might be dead. Anyone know?
WendyDespain: wait
WendyDespain: there was some confusiion about how much the writers were getting paid. did that get sorted?
Ed: I don't think the ESRB would ever commit to giving us a list anyhow...
Chris Bateman: Yes, $300. The first contracts that were sent out were wrong, but it's been sorted.
WendyDespain: ok, thanks Chris
Chris Bateman: I think you're right Ed, I think that's what Rich said. I guess the only question is whether to cut this from the agenda or not.
Ed: CUT!
WendyDespain: the ESRB says they don't have a list, that each game is judged on its merits. They said they were going to give a panel at... GDC?
WendyDespain: where they discussed this question more
Chris Bateman: Wow, a milk sop. That's something, I suppose.
Chris Bateman: Shall I put 'ESRB panel at GDC' onto the matters arising?
Chris Bateman: Skipping ahead for the time being...
Chris Bateman: D. WGA update/E3 co-branded event with WGA (Rich Dansky/Tim Langdell) - both absent!
WendyDespain: you're in a hurry today, Chris :-)
Chris Bateman: E. GDC Side Track for Game Writing (Steve Jacobs). Now I've spoken to Steve about this. I guess I can take this up on his behalf. (Feel free to keep addressing earlier points while I motor ahead...)
Chris Bateman: Sorry - I'm *so swamped* right now.... hurrying has become second nature...
Chris Bateman: Shall I take a break and drink my tea for a second? :)
WendyDespain: I think you'd better, or you'll burn up in the atmosphere
Chris Bateman: *sips tea in a dignified fashion*
WendyDespain: I was just going to say that while I definitely want to hear what ESRB has to say at their panel, I'm not sure we need it hanging around on our agenda all that time.
Chris Bateman: Sure, that's fair enough.
Chris Bateman: We could use to trim some things from the matters arising, anyway... It gets full fast.
WendyDespain: as long as someone remembers to ask about it when the time comes
Chris Bateman: Hmmm... I'll make a note by the GDC point.
Ed: We should just get someone from the SIG to volunteer to attend and take official noets, ask for the speaker's PPT slides afterrwards, etc. maybe try to get a free mp3 of the talk for our site from the IGDA or something.
Chris Bateman: Seems fair enough, Ed.
Chris Bateman: Regarding GDC... Steve spoke to whatever his name is at the bigwig level for GDC, and he's agreed to meet with a group of representatives from the writers SIG to discuss GDC 2007.
Chris Bateman: Steve was keen to get people whose only allegiance is the SIG, rather than those who are also WGA et al - just so that it doesn't turn into a multi-party debate, if you see what I mean. I tend to agree that this would be simpler.
WendyDespain: yes, although we don't want to seem like we're exlcuding the WGA
Chris Bateman: He suggested him, me, Rich Dansky (i.e. the exec) plus maybe two other people. He suggested Mary De Marle and Andy Walsh, but since Andy is WGUK, I guess it would have to be someone else.
Chris Bateman: It's not a case of excluding the WGA, it's rather that there are a lot of different agenda's being pursued, and we could become a two (or three - or even four counting the new media caucus) headed beast, rather than having a unitary point of view.
Chris Bateman: What do people think? Do you think we should take along a Writers Guild representative to the meeting, or will that cause more problems than it solves?
Ed: Maybe Susan O'Connor? She'll probably organize another Writer's conf. no? Might be good to have her aware of what's going down for writers at GDC.
WendyDespain: I agree focus is good. We could probably narrow this down when we get closer to the time and know who's going to be there
Chris Bateman: Yes, we don't need to sort it out this meeting while there's only three of us present, certainly. :)
Ed: My 2 cents: bringing one rep from the WGA would be good. That's all.
WendyDespain: in that case, Andy Walsh might be a good pick
Chris Bateman: Looking at Steve's email, he also suggests Susan, although he points out she'd have to be clear what her role is, because of her split allegiance in regard of Austin...
WendyDespain: nevermind. i was going to say something that doesn't need to be in a public record. :-)
Chris Bateman: Sure. :)
Chris Bateman: I've made a note on the agenda - we can bring this up then.
WendyDespain: ok
Chris Bateman: The last Matters Arising is F. Austin Issues (Steve Jacobs) - which is presumably irrelevant, so that puts us into the agenda.
Chris Bateman: Please let me know which of these agenda points were dealt with last time! *embarresed*
WendyDespain: heh
Chris Bateman: 1. Inktip Outreach (Steve Jacobs)
WendyDespain: hrm. i think we skipped that one.
Chris Bateman: Was this covered in the last meeting? Should this be on the matters arising? I guess we don't know! :)
WendyDespain: move it to the next agenda, I think.
Chris Bateman: Sure, that has to be safest. :)
WendyDespain: he wanted to talk about doing more outreach to other groups
Chris Bateman: 2. Vote: co-opt Andy Walsh to committee
Chris Bateman: Did this happen?
WendyDespain: we tried to vote him in, but then nobody remembered a) who was allowed to vote and b) how many votes were required
WendyDespain: it was tabled until you, our protocol expert was around
WendyDespain: but there were no objections
Ed: I don't object.
Chris Bateman: Let's say that happened, then, and Andy is now co-opted onto the committee.
Chris Bateman: Where does that belong on the wiki, I wonder... *rummages*
WendyDespain: hmm. remind me to mention something about the wiki in AOB
Chris Bateman: Ah, looks like it's on the website, not the wiki. Can you sort it, Wendy?
WendyDespain: it's on the wiki too
WendyDespain: but yeah, i can add it to the website also
Chris Bateman: Is it? Can't find it...
WendyDespain: http://www.igda.org/wiki/index.php/Game_Writers_SIG/Membership
Chris Bateman: Got it... done it.
Chris Bateman: 3. Discuss creating new mailing list for committee members & etc.(Wendy Despain)
Chris Bateman: That's presumably all done.
Chris Bateman: Round of applause for Wendy!
WendyDespain: yes
Chris Bateman: *applause*
Ed: clap...clap...
WendyDespain: when IGDA gets their mailing lists sorted out we'll move off of yahoo
Ed: ...clap
WendyDespain: heh, thanks
WendyDespain: so far it seems to be working well. I intend to send an email to the "announcements" list after the business from this meeting is concluded
WendyDespain: it'll be the first one sent there
Chris Bateman: Cool.
Chris Bateman: Incidentally, I forgot to ask if there were any apologies for absence. Anybody see any apologies?
WendyDespain: no
WendyDespain: i was expecting a good turnout
Chris Bateman: It's curious, to say the least. I usually give 24 hours notice, but even so.
Chris Bateman: Oh well, I'm sure it's all the result of accidental confusion.
Chris Bateman: 4. Quarterly to be added to SIG webpage (Coray Seifert)
WendyDespain: it's to be expected when meeting times/days get shifted
Chris Bateman: Do you know anything about this Wendy?
WendyDespain: I haven't heard anything from Coray about that recently
WendyDespain: last I heard they were "working on it"
Chris Bateman: :)
Chris Bateman: I'll put it in MA.
WendyDespain: i offered to help, heard nothing back
Chris Bateman: Fair enough.
Chris Bateman: Well, that's the agenda. Just leaves AOB. Before yours, Ed, what are we going to do about the next meeting?
Chris Bateman: Shall we aim for Thursday January 5th?
Ed: Good for me.
WendyDespain: fine for me
WendyDespain: i say we set that date, then see who can't make it (presuming they'll tell us this time)
Chris Bateman: Sure. That's fine with me.
WendyDespain: also, i'm still digging up that recap email I wrote from last meeting, if you'll bear with me
Chris Bateman: OK then - Ed, what's your AOB?
Ed: State of "IGDA Writer's Special Interest Group Presents: Write Club" is this: In January the GDC will set days and times for Write Club and I’ll let the SIG know what they are. Since it’s a roundtable, there will be three tournaments, and I’ll need volunteers to help with the judging at each. I though it would be fun to have the SIG help come up with the writing challenges as well, so I’ll send a call to arms with some examples after the book is behind us.
Ed: That's all.
WendyDespain: cool,
WendyDespain: Ed
WendyDespain: okay, looking at my email if we're ready to move on
Ed: sure.
Chris Bateman: Cool.
WendyDespain: i found the recap of last time
WendyDespain: Coray said they're starting work on the second Quarterly
WendyDespain: I think it's going to be about IP issues
WendyDespain: Rich was putting together a submission for E3
WendyDespain: have either of you heard if that got sent off okay? I'm assuming it did.
WendyDespain: I don't know when we'll hear back about it
WendyDespain: and that's about it that we haven't already covered
WendyDespain: we moved the meeting time specifically so that Steve could be here. it's a little weird he's not.
WendyDespain: hope he's okay
Chris Bateman: Waiting for your Any Other Business, Ed...?
Ed: Write Club was it. I've got nothing else.
Ed: Except to say you are both beautiful human beings.
WendyDespain: awww
Chris Bateman: Oh, thank you!
Chris Bateman: I don't feel very beautiful, but the tea helps. :)
WendyDespain: we're blessed to be in your presence, Ed.
Chris Bateman: We worship your shadow. :)
Chris Bateman: Anyway... :D
Chris Bateman: Write Club... what's the issue; you need people to help out?
WendyDespain: look what all those losers are missing
Chris Bateman: *group hug*
Ed: Yeah, I'll do a call for volunteers after the days and times are scheduled, as well as send an outline of how the tournament will work. I'll work with the SIG to prepare writing challenges beforehand as well.
WendyDespain: sounds like it's under control. I'm glad we get to do it.
WendyDespain: i hope i get to go :-)
Chris Bateman: It terrifies me, personally. But then I'm juggling half a dozen projects with only half my staff at the moment, so even running out of sugar in the kitchen is a catastrophe. :)
WendyDespain: you know, Chris, I've got an opening in my schedule if you could use a little freelance help :-)
WendyDespain: that would help me get to GDC, too :-)
Chris Bateman: Sadly, it's not script work that we're backed up on!
Chris Bateman: Although I have to say, there's stuff coming up that I am thinking about outsourcing. But it's a bit inappropriate to discuss it here.
WendyDespain: yeah, I guess we have to officially bang the gavel and end the meeting
Chris Bateman: Well I'll just ask if there's any other any other business...?
WendyDespain: nope
Ed: Thanks guys, gotta split. Will send out more info on Write Club soon.
Chris Bateman: *waves*
Ed: Take care.
WendyDespain: I'll hang out here a while, see if anyone shows up really really late
Chris Bateman: Wow, our fastest meeting ever! Who would have thought having only three people would be so efficient. :)
WendyDespain: erm. i'm not sure we actually accomplished anything
Chris Bateman: We have the agenda and date for the next meeting! :D
WendyDespain: heh
Chris Bateman: I'm content. :)
WendyDespain: we got you up to speed
Chris Bateman: Yeah. I'm really not on top of SIG Stuff right now. It has to necessarily take a back seat.
WendyDespain: understandable
WendyDespain: now go finish saving the universe.
Chris Bateman: Cheers! Your star quality is noted, as ever. If the SIG ever has a cup made, it should be the Wendy Despain Cup of Magnificence! :)
WendyDespain: hee!
Chris Bateman: *waves goodbye*
WendyDespain: bye
dansky: Hi. Home sick today, so I won't be staying long, but I can comment on that.
dansky: Hmm. That sat there for a while.