International Game Developers Association
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| Type | Professional association |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1994 |
| Website | www.igda.org |
International Game Developers Association (IGDA) is a professional society for 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."[1]
In recognition of the wide-ranging, multidisciplinary nature of interactive entertainment, there are no barriers to entry. Any person who considers him- or herself to be a game developer may join.
Contents |
[edit] History
The original idea for a professional society for game developers came from David Walker, founder of the Computer Entertainment Developers Association (CEDA). CEDA merged into the Computer Game Developers Association (CGDA) when it was formed in June 1994 by Ernest W. Adams. With financial backing from the Computer Game Developers Conference, the Association enrolled nearly 1200 members in its first 15 months of operation. The organization was renamed the International Game Developers Association (IGDA) in June 2000.
[edit] Chapters
IGDA Chapters are intended to provide an informal way to connect game developers within local communities. They provide forums, for example, for discussions on current issues in the computer gaming industry and demos of the latest games. A task force has been created to consider chapter formalization, but no such formalities as official membership currently exist for IGDA chapters.
Chapters vary greatly in size and meeting attendance. Regional chapters may collaborate on events, as with the GameX Industry Summit.[2]
[edit] Special Interest Groups
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 the Global Game Jam.[3]
[edit] Committees
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.
[edit] Board of Directors
The Board of Directors is composed of five elected members and two appointed members.
Notable directors have included:
- Noah Falstein
- Brenda Brathwaite
- Graeme Devine
- Bob Bates
- Brian Reynolds
- Mitzi McGilvray
- Jennifer MacLean
Jason Della Rocca stepped down from the post of executive director on March 31, 2009.[4][5][6] He was replaced on July 1, 2009 by Joshua Caulfield.[7]
[edit] References
- ^ "About". IGDA. http://www.igda.org/about/. Retrieved February 2009.
- ^ GameDev.Net / GameX (2009-04-09). "GameDev.Net Partners with GameX Industry Summit in Philadelphia". Press release. http://www.gamexpo.us/summit/press/20090409.html. Retrieved 2009-04-24.
- ^ "IGDA Education SIG Spawns First Global Game Jam". IGDA. 23 Nov 2008. http://igda.org/education/2008/11/igda-education-sig-spawns-first-global.html. Retrieved 27 August 2009.
- ^ "Della Rocca Quits IGDA". Edge. 2 February 2009. http://www.edge-online.com/news/della-rocca-quits-igda. Retrieved 28 February 2009.
- ^ IGDA (2 February 2009). "The International Game Developers Association (IGDA) Announces Search for a New Executive Director". Press release. http://www.igda.org/international-game-developers-association-igda-announces-search-new-executive-director. Retrieved 28 February 2009.
- ^ "GDC09: Highlights from the Game Critics Rant". Joystiq. 27 March 2009. http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/27/gdc09-highlights-from-the-game-critics-rant/. Retrieved 26 May 2009.
- ^ "IGDA Names Joshua Caulfield New Executive Director". Gamasutra. 2 July 2009. http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=24300. Retrieved 27 August 2009.
[edit] External links
- International Game Developers Association (official site)
- developer.* - The *.ORG Interview Series. Installment 2: The International Game Developers Association. Interview conducted November, 2004.
