International Game Developers Association International Game Developers Association (IGDA) is the professional association for over 12,000[1] video and computer game developers worldwide. It is incorporated in the United States as a non-profit organization. Its stated mission is To advance the careers and enhance the lives of game developers by connecting members with their peers, promoting professional development, and advocating on issues that affect the developer community.[2] In recognition of the wide-ranging, multidisciplinary nature of interactive entertainment, there are no barriers to entry. Contents 1 History 2 Structure 3 Advocacy 4 Programs 4.1 Past Events 5 References 6 External links History When I joined the CGDC board in 1991 ... all of the other members at the time were developers with several years experience who were used to this... However, none of that really mattered until the Congressional investigations that started up after Mortal Kombat came out. At that point it became clear to me that the game development community needed a voice. Ernest W. Adams, Living the Dream: Lets Get Together, The Escapist. The IGDA was founded in 1994 by Ernest W. Adams and was initially known as the Computer Game Developers Association (CGDA).[1] Modeled after the Association for Computing Machinery, Adams envisioned the organization to support the careers and interests of individual developers, as opposed to being a trade organization, or an advocacy group for companies. The need for a professional association for game developers was not apparent until the congressional hearings surrounding Mortal Kombat and other video game legislation became common in the 1990s. With legislation affecting the game development industry, the IGDA developed into a more organized voice for computer game developers as it merged with the Computer Entertainment Developers Association and grew from 300 members to over 12,000 members the next fifteen years.[1] In December 2012, Kate Edwards was appointed executive director after Gordon Bellamy, the previous executive director, moved on from the position in July of that year to join Tencent.[3] Structure See Also: List of IGDA Chapters and List of IGDA SIGs Chapters are intended to provide an informal way to connect game developers within local communities. Chapters vary greatly in size and meeting attendance. They provide forums, for example, for discussions on current issues in the computer gaming industry and demos of the latest games. Special Interest Groups, better known as SIGs, are intended to spark developer interest in a specific topics or disciplines. For example, the Game Education SIG has a stated mission To create a community resource that will strengthen the academic membership of the IGDA while enhancing the education of future and current game developers. Some SIGs sponsor events, such as creating the Global Game Jam.[4] Committees are generally formed by the IGDA to conduct research into a subject, normally for a short period, leading to a single report. Some, however, are semi-permanent, and produce yearly reports. Some of these reports lead to gaming industry standards. Advocacy Aside from bringing game developers together, the IGDA focuses on the following issues present in the game development industry: Quality of life - making the process of game development easier and more pleasant for everyone. Diversity - ensuring that people from a wide range of backgrounds and their needs are represented in the game development industry Anti-Censorship - recognizing games as an art form, and as a medium of expression Business and Legal Issues - empowering the development community with business knowledge and advocating for developers Student and Academic Relations - setting curriculum guidelines, enhancing collaboration between industry and academia and providing guidance to students wanting a career in games Programs The IGDA, through its chapters and SIGs, organizes hundreds of events for members of the game development industry including chapter meetings and meetups. However, there are larger events that are organized that bring IGDAs international members together: IGDA Summit - The IGDA Summit highlights the expertise, insights and experience of the global IGDA membership – from board members and staff to key volunteers and engaged members.[5][6] IGDA Scholars Program - The IGDA Scholars Program is a program that awards promising students in game development and related disciplines passes to key conferences related to game development (e.g. Game Developers Conference and the Electronic Entertainment Expo) and includes mentorship from key members of the game development industry, opportunities to visit local studios or meetings with senior figures in the industry.[7] IGDA Leadership Track at Southern Interactive Entertainment and Game Expo (SIEGE) - The IGDA Leadership Track at SIEGE will encompass a broad range of topics pertinent to the heads of game studios.[8] Past Events Global Game Jam - Now managed by the Global Game Jam, Inc.,[9] the Global Game Jam is an event that organizes developers, artists and game designers to create games within a 48 hour period. IGDA Leadership Forum - Focuses on advancing the state of the art in game production and management, and encompasses a broad range of leadership topics relevant to game development.[10] References ^ Jump up to: a b c Hoffman, Erin. Living the Dream: Lets Get Together. Escapist Magazine. Retrieved March 2013. Jump up ^ About. IGDA. Retrieved August 2013. Jump up ^ Takahashi, Dean. IGDA chief Gordon Bellamy joins Tencent. Venturebeat. Retrieved 11 September 2013. Jump up ^ IGDA Education SIG Spawns First Global Game Jam. IGDA. 23 Nov 2008. Archived from the original on 2010-08-14. Retrieved 27 August 2009. Jump up ^ About. IGDA.org. Retrieved 11 September 2013. Jump up ^ igda.org/summit/about/ Jump up ^ About the Scholarships. IGDA.org. Retrieved 11 September 2013. Jump up ^ GamesPress. SIEGE Adds IGDA Leadership Track for Game Devs. Gamasutra. Retrieved 11 September 2013. Jump up ^ About Global Game Jam. GlobalGameJam.org. Retrieved 11 September 2013. Jump up ^ Welcome IGDA Leadership Forum Fans. EventsForGamers. Retrieved 11 September 2013. External links Official website List of Executive Directors and Board Members for the IGDA IGDA Perspectives Newsletter IGDA on Facebook IGDA on Twitter developer.* - The *.ORG Interview Series. Installment 2: The International Game Developers Association. Interview conducted November, 2004. Categories: Organizations established in 1995 Video game development Video game organizations Game accessibility International nongovernmental organizations International non-profit organizations Video game trade associations Professional associations
Posted on: Tue, 28 Jan 2014 03:53:59 +0000
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