=========================== IGDA Newsletter - June 2006 =========================== ================= Table of Contents ================= 0: A Word From Bob Bates and Brian Reynolds 1: IGDA at Develop in Brighton: Accessibility Workshop, Group Gatherings... 2: Officer Appointments: Brian Reynolds the new IGDA chair 3: Columns Update 4: Chapter Meetings/Reports x: Logistical Bits & Unsubscribe Info ================= =========================================== 0: A Word From Bob Bates and Brian Reynolds =========================================== Dear members and friends, My term of office has come to an end, and we now welcome Brian Reynolds as our new chairman. I want to congratulate the outgoing board for the hard work they did in realizing the IGDA needs to be of greater practical use to our members, crafting a new mission statement, and putting the infrastructure in place to make improvements. I believe we'll be seeing the benefits of their work for years to come. Special thanks to John Feil and Jesse Schell, who are stepping down from the board after three years of service. With the election of Michael Capps, Chris Crowell, Clarinda Merripen, and the returning Mitzi McGilvray, I know the organization is in great hands. Under Brian's leadership, with his dedication to the organization and his passion for the rights of developers, the IGDA is better positioned than ever to serve our members. My thanks to all, and happy gaming. - Bob Bates Chairperson Emeritus, IGDA -- Hello IGDA Community! It is with great excitement and anticipation that I assume the Chair of the IGDA, yet I'm also slightly intimidated by the challenge of filling Bob Bates' immense shoes. In the years since I joined the board, the IGDA has transitioned from an organization managed mostly by CMP to an independent managed professional society ­ combining the amazing opportunity of having our own finances and resources with the immense responsibilities which those things bring. This year in particular has been a tipping point, as under Bob's leadership the organization has been able to stand on its own two feet and begin to reap the rewards of independence. For this we owe Bob an immense debt of gratitude. This year it's my job to uphold Bob's legacy and make sure we never take our foot off the gas in any of the areas in which we serve our members. It's also my opportunity to look for new ways in which the IGDA can "get developers a better deal," and that's what I'll be concentrating on over the next year. Have a great summer, - Brian Reynolds Chairperson, IGDA President, Big Huge Games ****************************************************************** ** Ad: Mobile Game Conference Takes Place July 13-14 in Seattle ** ****************************************************************** The 4th annual Mobile Game Conference is the leading event for mobile game development, bringing together mobile carriers, developers, publishers and handset manufacturers to showcase new technology, network with industry leaders and get business done. Keynote speakers include: - Trip Hawkins, Chairman & CEO, Digital Chocolate - Chris Early, Studio Manager, Microsoft Casual Games Group - Daishiro Okada, President, Square Enix. Register now and save $200, conference details are available online: http://www.mobilegameconference.com/ ****************************************************************** =========================================================================== 1: IGDA at Develop in Brighton: Accessibility Workshop, Group Gatherings... =========================================================================== Various IGDA leaders and groups will be on hand for the Develop Conference in Brighton, held from July 11th to the 14th. The IGDA's Game Accessibility SIG will be hosting a full-day accessibility workshop on July 14th. Topics include why game accessibility matters, demonstrations and discussions about different disabled gamer groups, and what kinds of software, middleware, and hardware solutions have been created to date. http://www.tandem-events.com/workshops.html#accessibility A series of eight Group Gatherings will be held at the IGDA's booth in the expo (#A48) to enable writers, women, academics, indies, etc, to connect and network. Check the schedule for details: http://www.tandem-events.com/conference-schedule.html Additionally, IGDA Executive Director, Jason Della Rocca, is on the lecture schedule with a presentation on "global directions" of the industry. And, IGDA ARG SIG chair Adam Martin will be presenting an overview of alternate reality games. Finally, don't forget that IGDA members enjoy a 10% discount on registration. Full details online: http://www.developconference.com/ ************************************************************************ ** Ad: The 4th Annual Austin Game Conference, September 6-8 in Austin ** ************************************************************************ The Austin Game Conference has distinguished itself as the definitive event for professionals focused on online game development for PCs and consoles. The 2006 program covers everything from MMOGs to digital distribution and offers lectures and workshops conducted by industry veterans and luminaries. Keynote speakers include: - Rob Pardo, Lead Designer - World Of Warcraft, Blizzard Entertainment - Vernor Vinge, Hugo Award Winning Science Fiction Writer - One more super secret speaker to be announced next month... Register now and save $200, conference details are available online: http://www.GameConference.com/ ************************************************************************ ========================================================== 2: Officer Appointments: Brian Reynolds the new IGDA chair ========================================================== Brian Reynolds, president of independent studio Big Huge Games and contributor to such notable titles as Civilization II , Rise of Nations and Rise of Legends, was appointed as the new Chairperson. Mitzi McGilvray was reappointed Secretary, and Dr. Michael Capps will serve as Treasurer. As noted previously, the IGDA has welcomed Dr. Michael Capps, Chris Crowell and Clarinda Merripen as its newest Board members, along with Mitzi McGilvray, who has been re-elected to the Board for another term. Details online: http://www.igda.org/newsroom/press_060906.php http://www.igda.org/board/ ************************************************************* ** Ad: Graphics meets Games Competition - The New Chapter! ** ************************************************************* EUROGRAPHICS, Europe's biggest CG conference, relaunches the previously announced "Graphics meets Games" competition with a significantly prolonged deadline (August 28, 2006) and cool new prizes (high-end cards from NVIDIA and computer/video games)! The task is to create a small 3D game that showcases a novel graphical effect that could be employed in a 3D game. There is a special focus on interactivity and physics-based interaction. Showcase your talent - Join the game! http://www.cg.tuwien.ac.at/events/EG06/graphicsmeetsgames ************************************************************* ================= 3: Columns Update ================= Monthly columns have been updated: Famous Last Words ----------------- "Unenforceable Under the Law" - A look at rights that can and cannot be legally signed away in a contract. http://www.igda.org/columns/lastwords/lastwords_Jun06.php Culture Clash ------------- "With Teeth - Reforming game ratings" - An exploration of the ESRB system and content challenges. http://www.igda.org/columns/clash/clash_Jun06.php The Games Game -------------- "Smart Wannabe Tricks" - Ten tips on landing on game job http://www.igda.org/columns/gamesgame/gamesgame_Jun06.php *********************** ** Ad: SIGGRAPH 2006 ** *********************** 30 July-3 August, Boston Enjoy 5-days of real-world, real-time graphic, interactive twingularity. SIGGRAPH 2006 is where thousands of interdisciplinary superstars and game developers find the products and concepts they need to create opportunities and solve problems. Don't miss more than 250 exhibitors in the largest international display of next-generation tools required for world-class achievement in computer graphics and interactive techniques. http://www.siggraph.org/s2006/ *********************** =========================== 4: Chapter Meetings/Reports =========================== Complete list of chapter reports and upcoming meetings: http://www.igda.org/chapters/updates.php Las Vegas Tuesday, July 11 > July Meeting http://www.igda.org/lasvegas/archives/2006/06/july_meeting.html London Wednesday, June 28 > Is There A Future For Mobile Gaming? http://www.igda.org/london/ Seattle Report, June 15 > An Overview of Software User Assistance http://www.igda.org/seattle/reports/06_2006r.htm Montreal Report, June 15 > Converging Disciplines Breathe Life Into Digital Actors http://www.igda.org/montreal/reports/summary_Jun06.htm Melbourne Report, June 13 > Digital Media Fund Presentation http://www.igda.org/melbourne Phoenix Report, May 28 > Meat and Beer Extravaganza http://igda-phx.org/resources.php?id=36 Singapore Report, May 24 > IGDA Singapore Meeting Report http://www.igda.org/wiki/index.php/IGDA_Singapore/Meetings/24052006 ================== x: Logistical Bits ================== Unsubscribe/Subscribe to Newsletter ----------------------------------- You can unsubscribe or update your newsletter subscription details via your MyProfile page: http://www.igda.org/membership/myprofile.php If you need help, contact us. 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: - Art Institute of California - San Francisco - Austin Community College - Casual Games Association - GRADE/Artificial Wisdom - IGA Worldwide Inc. - IPPO Y.K. - Korea IT Industry Promotion Agency - nVidia - Xbox 360 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 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 - -------