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2003 News Archive

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> Graeme Says Goodbye; Challenges Developers to Innovate

[Apr 18 - IGDA News]
In his final monthly IGDA Newsletter introduction, outgoing chairperson Graeme Devine speaks about his time on the board and pushes all developers to drive the industry forward. (FYI, the new board members and officers will be announced in early May.)

Read his "outroduction" in the April Newsletter (scroll down past the table of contents).

> IGDA "Gear" Now for Sale

[Apr 14 - IGDA News]
The IGDA has set up a shop at CafePress to accommodate the demand for IGDA "gear" (ie, t-shirts, caps, mugs, etc). Every purchase supports the Association/community, as a portion of every sale is donated back to the IGDA. The shop has only been established and we hope to add cool stuff on an ongoing basis...

> Student Scholars Report on GDC Experience

[Apr 14 - IGDA News]
Every year, the IGDA's Education Committee awards 25 scholarships to students from around the world to attend the Game Developers Conference. This year, the students were asked to maintain a "journal" of their trip to GDC and report back on their overall experience, their favorite sessions and advice to GDC first-timers.

These are a great resource for students/newbies thinking about attending GDC for the first time. And, it gives the GDC vets a sense of how things have changed over the years...

> Monthly Columns Updated for April

[Apr 09 - IGDA News]
All of the IGDA's monthly columns have been updated for April:

> 2nd Edition of Online Games Whitepaper Released

[Mar 17 - IGDA News]
The IGDA's Online Games Committee has released the 2nd edition of their Online Games Whitepaper. The Whitepaper provides online games market statistics, business model descriptions, technology summaries and publisher listings, among other resources.

The Online Games Whitepaper is free to download for all IGDA members and registered users.

> IGDA Annual Report for 2002

[Mar 17 - IGDA News]
Each year, we do up an annual report to summarize the activities of the IGDA over the past year and how we are progressing on our mission and goals. This report is printed and distributed to over 50,000 game developers and industry professionals worldwide. Here now is the IGDA 2002 Annual Report (~2mb pdf) for your viewing and reading pleasure.

> Academic Summit Content and GDC Report Posted

[Mar 13 - IGDA News]
Following up from last week's Game Developers Conference, the bulk of the content from the Academic Summit has been posted, along with a summary report and pictorial of the entire conference. Enjoy!

> Choice Award Recipients Announced; Metroid Prime takes Game of the Year

[Mar 07 - IGDA News]
The IGDA named recipients of the Game Developers Choice Awards at the 3rd annual ceremony during the 2003 GDC. The Oscars of games, the Choice Awards are true peer recognition honors, as all nominees and recipients are voted on free of charge, by game developers. The evening event celebrates creativity and artistry as well as technological genius. Check the Choice Awards web site for a full list of recipients.

There's also good coverage/pictures from the ceremony available at GameDev.net and GameSpy.

> Board of Director Nominees Step Into the Ring

[Feb 27 - IGDA News]
We have nine brave people who have stepped forth as nominees for the IGDA Board of Directors. Each candidate has provided a brief statement of candidacy, which can viewed on the elections page. The nominees are: They will be on hand at the IGDA's Annual Meeting at GDC to make a statement of candidacy and answer questions from the members. Ballots will be sent to members soon after GDC. See the elections page for full details.

> Founders of Activision, Doug Church Honored for Contributions

[Feb 25 - IGDA News]
The founders of Activision will receive the First Penguin Award and developer Doug Church will be honored with the IGDA Award for Community Contribution at the Choice Awards ceremony held during the Game Developers Conference.

The First Penguin Award acknowledges developers who have taken risks to break new ground in the game industry. This year's recipients David Crane, Larry Kaplan, Jim Levy, Alan Miller and Bob Whitehead will be honored for establishing the first third-party developer of video game software. In an industry challenged by consolidations, buyouts and complex relationships between publishers and developers, the Activision pioneers were the first to model a solution which has become a business standard -- the independent development house.

The IGDA Award for Community Contribution is presented to a developer who has made significant efforts in building community, sharing knowledge and advancing the art form of interactive entertainment. Doug Church, technical director, Eidos, will be acknowledged for his team focus, his efforts to build community and to improve the industry over the past 12 years.

> Student Scholars Heading to GDC

[Feb 24 - IGDA News]
Each year, the IGDA's Education Committee awards 25 scholarships to send exceptional students to the Game Developers Conference. This year's recipients represent a diverse range of disciplines and cultures, including students from Australia, Europe, North America and South America.

> Game Boy Creator Gunpei Yokoi to Receive Lifetime Achievement Award

[Feb 20 - IGDA News]
The IGDA will recognize legendary game developer Gunpei Yokoi for the innovative work he produced during his career. Yokoi will be honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Game Developers Choice Awards ceremony on March 6 during GDC. Last year's recipient, Yuji Naka, will be presenting the award, which Yokoi's family will be accepting on his behalf.

In a career spanning nearly three decades, Yokoi is best known as the creator of the Nintendo Game Boy. Overwhelmingly popular since its launch, the Game Boy and its successors have sold more than 142 million units worldwide. Tragically, Yokoi was killed in a traffic accident 1997.

> Panel on Game Addiction

[Feb 19 - IGDA News]
The IGDA's Austin Chapter recently held a panel to discuss the issues surrounding the concept of game addiction. Moderated by Peter Freese of NCsoft, the panelists were Damion Schubert of Wolfpack Studios, Carly Staehlin of NCsoft, Mike McShaffry of Glass Eye, and Dr. Vagdevi Meunier, Staff Psychologist at the University of Texas, Austin.

This summary report of the panel delves into the complex of nature of human addiction and passion. And, while the panelists agree that games can be addicting, that word should be used very carefully, and with the realization that the root of the problem always lies within the person.

One important conclusion was that the bottom line is that you have to be responsible for yourself and your own actions.

> 20% Member Discount on E3 Conference and Workshops

[Feb 13 - IGDA News]
All IGDA members are eligible for a 20% discount on E3's conference and workshops. The discount is valid until May 2nd. See the Member Discounts & Promos page for further details.

> How to Satisfy Women

[Feb 12 - IGDA News]
Take a look around your studio. Are there any women there? If not, maybe it's time to start thinking about recruiting female talent. "Why?" you say, "Things are fine the way they are." Well, Susan O'Connor can think of at least one reason, and it's a really good one, too. It's a little crass, but it's sexy too. Want to hear it? Come closer; let her whisper in your ear...

> Nominees Named for Game Developers Choice Awards

[Feb 10 - IGDA News]
The nominees for the Third Annual Game Developers Choice Awards have been announced. The recipients will be revealed at the ceremony on March 6, during the Game Developers Conference.

Nominations were free of charge and open to all professional game developers, regardless of membership or affiliation, ensuring that the nominees reflect the development community's opinions.

"To be recognized by our peers is, without a doubt, one of the greatest forms of recognition we can receive," proclaimed Chris Taylor, President of Rookie Studio nominee Gas Powered Games. "As our industry grows and develops, we are happy to be a part of and recognized by, the great wealth of talent that is all around us."

Check the Choice Awards web site for the complete list of nominees. Congrats!

> The Games Game: Hopeful Designers Must Answer Tough Questions

[Feb 06 - IGDA News]
Tom Sloper's monthly "Games Game" column has been updated for February with some advice on answering tough questions during an interview.

> Famous Last Words: Big Bad Non-Competes

[Feb 05 - IGDA News]
Our monthly "Famous Last Words" legal column has been updated for February with a discussion of employee-employer non-compete and confidentially clauses.

> Culture Clash: Hit Me Baby, One More Time

[Feb 04 - IGDA News]
"Culture Clash" is our new column by Matthew Sakey that will discuss culture-oriented issues of gaming, ranging from the evolution of critical language for understanding this medium to the culture of gaming and how the non-gaming public perceives the industry.

This month, Matt looks at the concept of game remakes and sequels...

> Board of Director Nominations

[Jan 30 - IGDA News]
We would like to invite you to submit nominations for the IGDA board of directors. The next election will be held at the GDC and in the two weeks following, and we are filling three open board seats. Nominations are due Tuesday, February 18th.

The game industry is still developing both as a business and an art form. Influencing the industry's growth in positive directions requires leadership. If you care about making games and feel you could serve the IGDA, we strongly encourage you to contact us about your candidacy immediately. If you know someone you feel would contribute well, please contact that person now and encourage him or her to run for an IGDA board seat.

Please review the complete details on the election and submission process.

> Leading Game Developers and Academics Unite at Academic Summit

[Jan 29 - IGDA News]
Produced by the IGDA's Education Committee, the second annual Academic Summit will take place March 4-5, at the GDC. The goal of the IGDA Academic Summit is to foster the growth and development of the video game industry by supporting new research projects, taking a more critical look at the study of games and by ensuring graduates, who have studied video game development, come to the game industry with a solid foundation of knowledge.

The two-day summit will include lectures, case studies and panel discussions covering theoretical research and the study of games, curriculum and instruction, and commercial applications of academic research. The focus will be on group interaction and discussion, exploring ideas and aspirations for industry/academic relations, and implementation strategies for the future.

Jump to the GDC web site for full details on the Academic Summit.

> Intellectual Property Rights Committee - Call for Volunteers

[Jan 15 - IGDA News]
The Intellectual Property Rights Committee is looking for volunteers to contribute to its IP rights whitepaper. If you have relevant expertise in this area and want to help write the whitepaper with other Committee members, please refer to the Call for Volunteers for full details. The deadline is January 31st.

The IGDA has formed the IP Rights Committee to collect information and develop community resources on the complex topic of IP rights.

> Student Membership Update

[Jan 15 - IGDA News]
With the growth of student/academic interest in the IGDA, the Board of Directors have created an official "Student Member" category. Prior to this, there were no student members per se. Instead, the IGDA offered a 75% discount on regular memberships to students. Please read the full update notice for complete details.

> Game Developers Choice Awards Open for Nomination

[Jan 07 - IGDA News]
Nominations for the 3rd Annual Game Developers Choice Awards, the most prestigious honors in game development, are now open. Nominations will be accepted through January 23, 2003. All those directly involved in the development and design of video games are eligible to nominate.

"My passion is games," said 2002 Lifetime Achievement Award recipient Yuji Naka, president and CEO of Sega's SONICTEAM. "Having my life's work recognized by developers worldwide at the Game Developers Choice Awards was the most meaningful honor I could have ever received."

> New Article: The Desperately Incomplete Language of Gaming

[Jan 02 - IGDA News]
We all talk about the need for a game vocabulary. Warren Spector is often quoted on the limitation of our design language. Writer Matthew Sakey offers up a thoughtful discussion on the language of games/gaming - or lack thereof - and puts forth a challenge to all of us to contribute.

> Famous Last Words Column: Staying out of Cash Flow Hell

[Jan 02 - IGDA News]
Our monthly "Famous Last Words" legal column has been updated for January with advice on how to get paid by your publisher and stave off cash flow problems with diligent record-keeping.

> The Games Game Column: Trust Your Passions

[Jan 02 - IGDA News]
Our monthly "Games Game" column has been updated for January with advice on staying true to your passions when trying to break into the industry.