GWSIG Monthly Meeting Minutes/Meeting10

International Game Developers Association

Ed Kuehnel: Hey all!
Dansky: How's it going, Ed?
Ed Kuehnel: Good, how was your New Year?
Chris Bateman: Okay, have tea... ready to meet. : )
Chris Bateman: So, apologies for absence...
Chris Bateman: Steve and Andy gave apologies. Anyone hear from anyone else?
BenServiss: Afternoon fellas
Chris Bateman: Hi Ben!
Chris Bateman: I'll take that as a no. I wonder where Rhianna is...? perhaps she'll be in later.
Chris Bateman: Let's wade into the Matters Arising.
Chris Bateman: A. Quarterly SIG Report (Coray Seifert) also: Quarterly to be added to SIG webpage
BenServiss: Coray may not be able to make it, from what I hear
BenServiss: But I can weigh in on the Quarterly thus far
BenServiss: Content is trickling in, and we're working on laying it out
Ed Kuehnel: Matt Entin is working on his questions.
BenServiss: Here's a question though-where would the ideal place to hand it out at GDC be? Will the SIG have a presence there, or just the overall IGDA?
Chris Bateman: Just the overall IGDA. We should distribute from there.
BenServiss: Ok, I thought as much
James Swallow: hi all
Chris Bateman: Rudy and volunteers will run a help desk in the main area. It's ideal for that sort of thing.
Chris Bateman: Hi James!
Dansky: Hello, James
Chris Bateman: I take it there's nothing particular that needs discussing on the report, then?
BenServiss: Not much, what needs to be discussed for putting it on the SIG page?
Chris Bateman: I have no idea! I think it may have come up in a prior meeting.
BenServiss: Hmm, well we could always put the pdf on the SIg site
Chris Bateman: Wendy would know what it was about, I guess... wonder where she is...
BenServiss: It's either that or re-do all the content to fit HTML better, like they did with the casual games quarterly
BenServiss: Though I vote for the pdf solution
Chris Bateman: Let's not bust our hump over it. Pdf for downoad should be fine.
Chris Bateman: Let's move on...
BenServiss: Sounds good
Chris Bateman: B. Writer's Book (Chris Bateman)
Chris Bateman: As far as I know, everything is fine. I'm expecting edited chapters to get to me on or before January 15th.
Chris Bateman: There are a few known issues, but otherwise I'm assuming it's all under control.
Chris Bateman: Looking forward to reading what everyone has done so far - less thrilled about the mammoth editing task, but you know, I'll live. : )
BenServiss: I'll have the chapters I'm editing over to you sometime today Chris
Ed Kuehnel: Did you change the deadline? I have the 5th on my schedule doc.
Chris Bateman: No problem, Ben. I'm off to India next week so I won't be doing anything prior to the 15th.
Chris Bateman: Yeah, Mary thought it was the 5th too. I'm pretty sure it's the 15th.
Chris Bateman: Anyway, 5th or 15th, I won't be doing anything on them until after India, so 15th is fine.
BenServiss: Ok, noted. In the meanwhile I'll put a bit more of a spit-shine on them.
Ed Kuehnel: Sounds good.
James Swallow: 15th is a sunday...
BenServiss: Have fun in India!
James Swallow: you lucky dog!
Chris Bateman: Anyway, I don't think there's anything specific that needs discussing at the moment on the book. I just trust that everything is more or less on track, except where already noted. :</b> )
Chris Bateman: C. WGA update/E3 co-branded event with WGA (Rich Dansky/Tim Langdell)
Dansky: For E3, we submitted a talk proposal. I have not heard anything on it. I was, however, asked by Ubi marketing to take part in another talk, and was asked to recommend other speakers for it. I recommended the folks we had proposed for our talk.
Dansky: As soon as I hear anything else, I will inform the SIG ASAP.
WendyDespain: hi everyone - still finishing up a little work - you'll have my full attention in a few minutes
Chris Bateman: Hi Wendy!
Chris Bateman: Ok. Is that everything on that topic for now, then Rich?
Dansky: Pretty much. I had an interpretive dance prepared for it, but I'm not sure that will translate well through the software we're using :</b> -)
Chris Bateman: Fair enough. :</b> D
Chris Bateman: D. GDC Side Track for Game Writing (Steve Jacobs) also:</b> ESRB panel, also:</b> Jamil meeting (possibly Steve Jacobs, Chris Bateman, Rich Dansky, Andy Walsh, Susan O'Conner)
Chris Bateman: Obviously Steve isn't here... I think this can comfortably wait until a meeting with Steve, since it won't happen until GDC 07.
Chris Bateman: Anyone have anything to say on this, speak now!
WendyDespain: i think it's GDC 06
BenServiss: How'd we fare for this year's GDC?
Chris Bateman: We got a number of items on the ticket.
Ed Kuehnel: We've got Write Club, our improv writing competition which is scheduled as a roundtable. Now that Matt and I are finished (for now ) with our chapter, we're going to concentrate hard on keeping you all up to date with that and getting it organized.
BenServiss: Groovy
Chris Bateman: In fact that's the next matter arising:</b>
Chris Bateman: E. Write Club (Ed Kuehnel) :</b> D
Chris Bateman: Can I take it we don't need to start discussions about Write Club here, or do you want to wade in?
Ed Kuehnel: Matt and I will send emails to the list soon that explain A) what it is and B) What the heck's going on with it. Coming soon. :</b> )
Chris Bateman: OK, that's fine with me. That completes the Matters Arising... let's see what this month's agenda has in store for us!
Dansky: May I request, in advance, a moratorium on the inevitable followup puns, like "The Write Stuff", "Write of Passage", and "Write Write Baby?" :</b> -)
Chris Bateman: Request noted and ignored. :</b> D
Chris Bateman: 1. Inktip Outreach (Steve Jacobs)
BenServiss: ahhh, I just got it
BenServiss: Only took 4 months or so, heh
WendyDespain: Silly Steve, all these items on the agenda and he's skipping out
Chris Bateman: Steve of course isn't here, and I'm pretty sure we can defer this another month unless anyone wants to pipe up.
WendyDespain: i recall him saying at one time that he wasn't sure it was important anymore
WendyDespain: since we got an influx of new members from the Austin conference
WendyDespain (private to Dansky): Howdy
Chris Bateman: That's a fair point. I'm happy to scrub it from the agenda for now - if Steve wants it back, he knows what to do. :</b> D
Chris Bateman: 2. Writers Meal at GDC (Chris Bateman)
Chris Bateman: I have to say that last year's meal was a great success and I assume we'll do the same this year.
Chris Bateman: What I'd like is for someone in the US to take ownership of organising the meal; any volunteers?
WendyDespain: I'll volunteer me and/or Beth
WendyDespain: I'm still not sure if I'm going to GDC
Chris Bateman: I don't know what day the Group Gathering will be yet, but I should know by the February committee meeting.
WendyDespain: but I know Beth is planning to, and she's good at organizing
Chris Bateman: Wendy - you must come. It is your destiny. Or your Despainy. :</b> )
WendyDespain: hee!
WendyDespain: i need somebody to bankroll the tickets. that's the only thing standing in my way.
Chris Bateman: Anyone remember where GDC is this year... it's San Jose, I think.
BenServiss: Yup, SJ
Chris Bateman: I don't suppose we have a SIG member who lives in San Jose?
WendyDespain: I think I have a friend who lives near there. But California all runs together for me.
WendyDespain: we can ask on the mailing list
Chris Bateman: Which reminds me, I'm afraid I have been completely derilict in my duties on the mailing list. It seems changing to a digest form has just become an excuse for me to completely ignore all traffic on the list. : (
WendyDespain: slacker
Chris Bateman: Should we wait until we know which day the Group Gathering is before seeking someone to set up the meal?
Chris Bateman: Or is this a case of the sooner-the-better.
WendyDespain: traffic on the list died during the holidays. i expect it will pick up again as people get back to their regular routines
WendyDespain: who's in charge of the Group Gathering? and how is it different from the meal?
Chris Bateman: I'm in charge of the Group Gathering. That takes place inside the GDC event during the day. The meal will take place after GDC on the same day (if we follow last year's pattern).
WendyDespain: ah, it's all so clear to me now
WendyDespain: I'm happy to be in charge of the meal (or beth if i can't make it)
WendyDespain: we'll coordinate with you on it
Chris Bateman: Do you have power of attorney for Beth to be assigning her this role on her behalf? :</b> D
WendyDespain: she'll thank me for it someday
WendyDespain: probably
Chris Bateman:  :</b> )
Chris Bateman: Okay, well that's the whole of the agenda - only took 30 minutes this time! Wow. That brings us to...
Chris Bateman: Any Other Business.
Chris Bateman: First up, next meeting date?
James Swallow: w00t
WendyDespain: sometime in february ;-)
Chris Bateman: Has Thursday become our de facto day for now? If so I suggest the first Thursday after the Superbowl...
Chris Bateman: *flicks through diary*
Chris Bateman: Thursday 9th February.
WendyDespain: sounds good to me
Chris Bateman: (I have a lecture on Thursday 2nd, otherwise I'd have suggested then)
Ed Kuehnel: Fine with me, I always take that day off so I can get good and drunk during the game anyhow.
Dansky: Standard disclaimer:</b> I May Be In France With No Access.
WendyDespain: our glamorous world traveler
Chris Bateman: Well this meeting date is four days after the Superbowl - unless your Superbowl parties are even wilder than mine, you won't need that long to recover Ed. :</b> )
James Swallow: I'll try to get along, but I'm flying to LA the next day so I may be rushed off my feet
Chris Bateman: Rich - since Ubisoft fly you around without warning, it almost goes without saying, doesn't it. :</b> )
Ed Kuehnel: If the Bears win I may die in the aftermath.
Chris Bateman: Sure thing, James.
Chris Bateman: Okay, we'll pencil it in for that day - we can always make adjustments on the SIG mailing list if necessary.
Chris Bateman: Any Other Any Other Business?
WendyDespain: uh, it looks like someone asked earlier about getting the thing on the website
WendyDespain: by the other stuff
WendyDespain: the quarterly
WendyDespain: just wanted to say - i'll get to it soon. it's on my todo list. I'm the one holding things up now.
WendyDespain: did we talk about E3?
Dansky: We did. We decided we're not going.
Dansky: *whistles and looks innocent*
Ed Kuehnel: It's too noisy.
Ed Kuehnel: And the people are rude.
Chris Bateman: And it's in LA. Which sucks.
BenServiss: I think my feet still hurt from last year's
Ed Kuehnel: $2.50 for a diet pepsi? Girl, please.
Chris Bateman: Rich:</b> does the WGA matters arising agenda point need to change or be removed?
Dansky: Removed at this point, I think. I will formally suggest reinstatement if necessary.
Chris Bateman: Sure.
James Swallow: duh! I just remembered a bit of AOB...
Chris Bateman: Shoot, Jim.
James Swallow: Andy Walsh has set up a meeting with Bernie Corbett, chair of the Writers Guild of GB this month
James Swallow: it's an informal(ish) thing to talk about what the Guild can do for game writers, etc
James Swallow: I'm going along, I think Rhianna might be too
Chris Bateman: When is it? I need an excuse to come to London on business soon, this would do.
James Swallow: checking...
James Swallow: next wednesday
Chris Bateman: Oh. I'm in India. : (
WendyDespain: there's a commute
James Swallow: if all goes well, Andy or I will report back for the next eMeeting, I imagine
Chris Bateman: Great. Shall I put it on the next agenda now?
WendyDespain (private to Dansky): i'm pleased to hear we have till the 15th :-)
James Swallow: i think that would be fine - it's Andy's thing really, not mine
Chris Bateman: Sure. I'll put it under him.
Chris Bateman: Right, well I have to shoot off. We appear to have covered everything we need to for now, so thank you for coming and I'll speak to you all sometime after I get back from the other side of the world. : D
Ed Kuehnel: Take care all.
Chris Bateman: *waves and dashes out the virtual door*
Dansky: Laters. Take care, folks, and happy belated new year
WendyDespain (private to Chris Bateman): Chris never wants to hang out with us
WendyDespain (private to Chris Bateman): er
James Swallow: rich, you got a moment?
Dansky: Sure thing.
WendyDespain: Christ never wants to hang out with us :-)
WendyDespain: yipe
WendyDespain: _Chris_ never wants to hang out with us
Dansky: I am /so/ not touching that one, Wendy :-)
WendyDespain: obviously i shouldn't be attending meetings before noon
BenServiss: aha, fun with typos
Dansky: More fun for the rest of us, though :-)
WendyDespain: well, when we can't have interpretive dance, at least there are wendy's typos
Dansky: Trust me, you don't want to see me dance. Err, again.
WendyDespain: they must have Pirate Bars in San Jose
BenServiss: Oh man, that's the last Writers Conference that I'm missing
Dansky: It was definitely A Time, Ben.
WendyDespain: Hey, I was under the impression that a good time was had by all
BenServiss: I mean...Pirates! with alcohol!
BenServiss: What else is there that matters?
WendyDespain: oddly enough, the pirate bar was sadly lacking in pirates
Dansky: Oh, I had a great time. But it was definitely A Time. With capital letters.
WendyDespain: i think that's why we didn't stay very long
James Swallow: how much are the GDC passes these days?
Dansky: And you guys missed the morning after denouement in the Mexican restaurant.
BenServiss: Was it an unauthorized copy of a bar or something?
WendyDespain: man, all that alcahol and we missed that entirely appropriate joke the whole night. you should have been with us Ben.
WendyDespain: who was there for the morning after denouement in the Mexican restaurant?
Dansky: Just me and Chase. Probably safest, really.
BenServiss: Sounds like quite a story arc.
Dansky: More of a picaresque, really
WendyDespain: maybe this SIG needs a mud so we can recreate our best narratives so those who missed it can play along.
WendyDespain: you walk into the pirate-themed bar. The man dressed as an Arab checks your ID. The music they're playing is really really awful and not at all piratey.
James Swallow: a game where you play a writer? wotta concept
WendyDespain: Also, "Aaarrr."
Dansky: Item #8 on my New Year's Resolution Rant is "I will not write about Writers"
WendyDespain: sounds like a rant worth hearing
Dansky: http:</b> //www.richarddansky.com, for whatever it is worth
Dansky: Err, http:</b> //www.richarddansky.com - no comma
BenServiss: Oddly enough, I think a high-profile movie with the main character as a game writer would be the best way to get exposure for the profession
Dansky: Ben, roughly 46% of all horror novels feature horror novelists as the protagonists :-)
James Swallow: rich, that link to your GDC 2004 conference talk is coming up dead... I'd like to see that if you have a copy
Dansky: Sure thing. What's your email addy?
Dansky: I'll get it out to you today.
James Swallow: jmswallow@hotmail.com
James Swallow: thanx
BenServiss: That figure does sound about right Rich, but what's it mean?
WendyDespain: we need a tv series, like CSI
BenServiss: That horror writers are scared of...horror writers? :)
Dansky: Naah. It means they don't get out of the house much :-)
Dansky: And on that note, I must run. Thanks for the company, folks. I'll catch you next month.
James Swallow: l8r!
BenServiss: Later Rich
WendyDespain: bye Rich
James Swallow: GDC:</b> Miami?
James Swallow: GDC:</b> New York?
WendyDespain: hee!
BenServiss: How about Air Force GDC?
BenServiss: Get the whole conference on a jet and fly it around the country for the whole week
WendyDespain: you like to live dangerously, don't you Ben?
James Swallow: Hey, the hero in XXX was a gamer.
BenServiss: Dangerously and inefficiently, yes :D
James Swallow: thats close to a movie about a game writer
WendyDespain: so was the hero in Last Star Fighter
James Swallow: true
James Swallow: can't think of any others!
James Swallow: wait!
James Swallow: Tron!
WendyDespain: War Games?
WendyDespain: ah yes, Tron
BenServiss: Ooh, Tron
BenServiss: Bright lights! Shiny neon things!
James Swallow: I played the FPS sequel a few months back
James Swallow: nostalgia trip
WendyDespain: we should have a Tron showing at GDC so we can show the young'ens what real gamer movies are like
WendyDespain: but somehow, I'm not sure it would help our cause much
BenServiss: "And in the Tron theatre, we'll be showing...Tron. Over and over, until you pass out."
BenServiss: Maybe we should start a sister conference, Tron Con.
James Swallow: you don't get a badge, you get a frisbee
BenServiss: yess
WendyDespain: have you seen the webpage of the guy who made his own Tron costumes with reflective tape and foam?
James Swallow: not that too-fat-to-wear-it guy?
WendyDespain: that's the one
James Swallow: *shudder*
WendyDespain: it's burned into my brain now
BenServiss: he should be the spokesman
James Swallow: thats what I call a bloated program
BenServiss: TronMan says "Say no to death frisbees"
WendyDespain: wow, so here's the real question. when i'm saving the minutes, do i include the Tron conversation?
James Swallow: it's gaming related.
WendyDespain: i guess that settles it then
BenServiss: The after-meeting Tron talk is really what this org is all about
James Swallow: amen
WendyDespain: but if we don't include it in the minutes, but just make vague references to it at every opportunity, maybe it'll make more people want to come to the meetings
BenServiss: Such as from now on, car transmissions will be known as car tronsmissions
WendyDespain: right
WendyDespain: because we talk about car tronsmissions so often around here :-)
James Swallow: you crazy kids
James Swallow: and on that thought, I will take my leave of you. Wendy, Ben, have a great evening and see you (virtually, that is) next month.
WendyDespain: bye James
BenServiss: likewise James
BenServiss: How'd your new years go? Have a crazy party :D?
WendyDespain: Heh, I had a great New Years. I stayed in, ate pizza and watched sci-fi television shows on my tivo.
WendyDespain: then at midnight i went out and lit up a few sparklers
WendyDespain: then i went to bed
WendyDespain: i'm what they call a "Party Girl"
BenServiss: wooo!
BenServiss: tivo is the man though
BenServiss: life before dvr was so arduous
BenServiss: all that tv schedule watching, so much work
WendyDespain: so much crap tv
BenServiss: yeah