========================== IGDA Newsletter - May 2008 ========================== ================= Table of Contents ================= 0: A Word From Jen MacLean 1: IGDA 2007 Annual Report 2: Leadership Forum: 07 DVD vids, 08 save-the-date 3: Writing SIG Writes Another Game Writing Book 4: Event Action: MMOG, Social, DGXpo, Brighton, Go3, Sandbox 5: Columns Update 6: Chapter Meetings/Reports x: Logistical Bits & Unsubscribe Info ================= ========================== 0: A Word From Jen MacLean ========================== Dear Members and friends, Every year, the IGDA Board of Directors holds an annual retreat; this in-person meeting helps us to effectively formulate strategy, manage the critical challenges facing the IGDA, and increase the value of the organization to our members. This year, we focused on two important challenges: creating frameworks for action on significant areas like events, international chapters, and serving both student and professional members; and improving our processes so that we more effectively address the needs of our members. You'll see the tangible results of these efforts over the next months as we roll out new member and chapter benefits, improve the IGDA website, and host our second Leadership Forum. At the retreat, we also borrowed a slogan from one of our member studios; according to Big Huge Games, "you have to have fun in order to make fun". This excellent philosophy is reflected in the IGDA core values (you can view them in their entirety at http://www.igda.org/about/core_values.php ), and we do our best to live up to these values at events like the annual Members-Only party at GDC. "Fun" manifested itself at our Board meeting through ice-breaking activities like Cranium and Guess Your Fellow Director, where we learned that quicksand is not an easy word to act out and that certain members of the IGDA Board travel with pink pillows, own a life-size Pokemon, and sing Billy Joel at wedding receptions (and in hotel lobbies). Invariably, the Board Retreat, like every event at which I have the chance to interact with IGDA members, reminds me of what a great group of people participate in the organization. For me, the best reward for my 6+ years of involvement with the IGDA hasn't been the incredible way the organization has grown and matured; while the IGDA's progress has been gratifying, the most enjoyable and important benefits of participation are the relationships formed with the other talented, passionate, dedicated volunteers who commit their time and energy to improving the industry, and the lives of game developers in the process. If you would like to get more involved in the IGDA, and experience this uniquely rewarding fun first-hand, I strongly encourage you to reach out to your local chapter ( http://www.igda.org/chapters/ ) or participate in a SIG of interest ( http://www.igda.org/SIGs/ ). Not only will you make a difference to your professional community, you'll have an amazing amount of fun doing it. - Jen MacLean Chairperson, IGDA VP Business Development, 38 Studios ********************************** ** Ad: Green-Ear Gaming Network ** ********************************** http://www.green-ear.com/ We've been enabling voice since 2002, and are excited to utilize that same technology in our new Green-Ear Gaming Network. By leveraging our proven network, we will provide affordable voice, multiplayer functionality and much more to game developers. We are soliciting feedback to ensure we create a product that is most usable and beneficial to you. Complete our short developer survey by June 1st to be entered to win a $200 BEST BUY GIFT CARD: http://tinyurl.com/3t49md Email leba@green-ear.com to participate in our free Beta program. ******************************************************** ========================== 1: IGDA 2007 Annual Report ========================== In addition to summary comments from 2007 Board chair Mitzi McGilvray, the Annual Report covers our financial results, highlights accomplishments from 2007 and thanks those who have made it all possible. (FYI, the Board decided to keep saving trees and present the report in web-format only again.) http://www.igda.org/about/annual_report_07.php *********************************** ** Ad: Develop Conference & Expo ** *********************************** More sessions, more speakers ­ the Develop Conference & Expo is set for another blockbuster event The Develop Conference & Expo is taking place from 29-31 July in Brighton, England. Last year, over 1,200 developers from every level of the development community descended on Brighton to meet, learn, share and network with their peers. With a range of high profile speakers such as Phil Spencer (Microsoft), Jonathan Smith (Traveller's Tales) and David Braben (Frontier), it's the leading event for the European development community. For more information please visit: http://www.developconference.com/ *********************************** ================================================== 2: Leadership Forum: 07 DVD vids, 08 save-the-date ================================================== The first IGDA Leadership Forum was a smashing success with top rated sessions by Don Daglow, Ray Muzyka and Greg Zeschuk (BioWare), Tim Schafer (Double-Fine), Mike Capps (Epic Games) and Clinton Keith (ex High Moon Studios). And, we welcomed 300+ delegates from over 15 countries, including the UK, Finland, India and Australia. All 21 conference sessions were recorded and are now available for purchase on DVD. The 4-disc set of hi-res video is priced at $99 (plus shipping). If you would like to purchase a copy, please email us via sales@igda.org and we'll forward you the order form. The 2008 IGDA Leadership Forum is set for the 13-14 of November in San Francisco. As space is limited, we are encouraging developers to "save the date" and keep their eyes open for program and registration details to come later in June. Details are at: http://www.igda.org/leadership/ =============================================== 3: Writing SIG Writes Another Game Writing Book =============================================== The IGDA's Writing SIG just released their second collaborative book, titled "Professional Techniques for Video Game Writing". Published by A K Peters, info on the book, a table-of-contents and the preface are available via: http://www.akpeters.com/product.asp?ProdCode=4162 http://www.akpeters.com/previews/Despain_TOC.pdf http://www.akpeters.com/previews/Despain_Preface.pdf Members interested in purchasing the book can order directly via A K Peters for a 25% member discount (until June 15th). Use discount code "Writing" on the order form. ============================================================ 4: Event Action: MMOG, Social, DGXpo, Brighton, Go3, Sandbox ============================================================ Member discounts at upcoming events and related event action include: - £170 member discount for MMOG-Fest at Staffordshire University, UK (June 5-6) - 10% member discount for Social Gaming Summit in San Francisco, CA (13 June) - 20% member discount for Digital Games Expo in Raleigh, NC (20-21 June) - 10% member discount for Develop in Brighton, UK (29-31 July) - 5% member discount for GO3 Electronic & Entertainment Expo in Perth, Australia (1-3 August) - $50 member discount for Sandbox Game Symposium in Los Angeles, CA (9-10 August) Full discount details and links available online: http://www.igda.org/events/ ================= 5: Columns Update ================= Monthly columns have been updated: Famous Last Words ----------------- "When Developers Finance Development" - Issues to consider when looking to find a commercial publisher. http://www.igda.org/columns/lastwords/lastwords_May08.php Culture Clash ------------- "Graduation Day - How students are leading innovation" - Looking to academia as a source of innovation. http://www.igda.org/columns/clash/clash_May08.php The Games Game -------------- "What's In A Word? Part 1" - Word usage ranting by Tom. http://www.igda.org/columns/gamesgame/gamesgame_May08.php =========================== 6: Chapter Meetings/Reports =========================== Complete list of chapter reports and upcoming meetings: http://www.igda.org/chapters/updates.php North East UK Friday, June 13 > Focus On Game Art - First Meeting - Sheffield http://www.igda.org/neuk/Events/Meeting001.html Portland Thursday, June 12 > Social Meet http://www.pagdig.org/?p=67 Philadelphia Friday, May 30 > Pub Night http://www.igda.org/philly/archives/2008/05/may_2008_meetin.html Caracas Thursday, May 29 > First Meeting - Art, Programming and the Business of video games http://www.igda.org/caracas/registro.php Orlando Thursday, May 29 > Slingapour's Wall Street@ 7pm-10pm http://www.wallstplaza.net/slingapours/ Silicon Valley Wednesday, May 28 > SVIGDA Chapter Pizza Social Night Meeting http://www.siliconvalleyigda.org/ Salt Lake City Report, May 13 > Alvin and the Chipmunks and Prince Caspian Post-Mortem: Resources and Raffle http://www.igda.org/slc/may08mr.htm San Francisco Report, May 7 > May 2008 meeting at Dolby http://www.igda.org/sf/?p=19 Finland Report, May 6 > IGDA Finland Explores Board Games http://igda.fi/?p=163 Austin Report, May 2 > Totally Run Your Company Into the Ground! http://www.igda.org/austin/archives/2008/05/igda_totally_ra.html Montreal Report, April 30 > DIY - Report on User-Generated Content http://www.igda.org/montreal/archives/2008/05/diy.html Malaysia Report, April 27 > IGDA Informal Meet report http://www.igda.org.my/?p=168#more-168 Pittsburgh Report, April 24 > Meet & Mingle Recap http://www.igda.org/pittsburgh/archives/2008/05/april_meet_ming.html New Jersey North Report, April 20 > Game Deconstruction for Frontlines: Fuel of War http://blender.rutgers.edu/~njigda/meetings/2008/200804.php ================== x: Logistical Bits ================== Unsubscribe/Subscribe to Newsletter ----------------------------------- To unsubscribe simply send an email with the subject "unsubscribe" to igda@igda.org. Or, you can update your newsletter subscription details via your MyProfile page: http://www.igda.org/membership/myprofile.php Thanks to our Partners ---------------------- The IGDA extends its sincerest thanks to all our Partners! Especially those who just joined us, or recently renewed their commitment to support the game development community: - Ayalogic - Course Technology PTR - DePaul Game Dev - Havok - Intel Corporation - Kingwood College - Reachin Technologies - SN Systems - Softimage - University of Derby Without their support the IGDA simply would not survive - let alone thrive. Further details and a complete list of Partners are available online: http://www.igda.org/partners Contact Information ------------------- Please contact us if you have questions, comments or input: http://www.igda.org/contact.php 19 Mantua Road Mount Royal, New Jersey USA 08061 RSS Feeds for IGDA News and Chapter Updates ------------------------------------------- The IGDA web site has RSS feeds for IGDA news (eg, org announcements, committee work, etc) and chapter updates (eg, upcoming meetings, event reports). Those using RSS readers can point to: IGDA News: http://www.igda.org/igda_news_rss.php IGDA Chapter Updates: http://www.igda.org/igda_chapters_rss.php ------- - end - ------m