International Game Developers Association

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The 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. Among its goals are to promote and strengthen the video game industry, and have computer games recognised as an art form. As part of promoting the industry, the IGDA presents the Game Developers Choice Awards annually at the Game Developers Conference. In addition the IGDA serves the needs of the development community by doing research, opposing censorship of video games, and encouraging communication through conferences and online forums. In recognition of the wide-ranging, multidisciplinary nature of interactive entertainment, there are no barriers to entry; it is open to any person who considers him- or herself to be a game developer.

The organization was formed as the Computer Game Developers Association in the summer of 1994 by Ernest W. Adams and used the CGDA name until 2000-06-26.

Jason Della Rocca is the current executive director of the IDGA.

[edit] Chapters

IGDA Chapters are a way to connect game developers in local communities. Each holds regularly scheduled meetings, with discussions on current issues in the computer gaming industry and demos of the latest games. The number of people who regularly show up to chapter meetings varies greatly between chapters. Though a task force has been created to deal with chapter formalization, no such formalities as official membership currently exist for IGDA chapters.

[edit] Special Interest Groups

Special Interest Groups, better known as SIGs, get developers interested in a specific topic or discipline together. They currently include:

• Alternate Reality Games SIG
• Artificial Intelligence SIG
• Casual Games SIG
• Game Accessibility SIG
• Game Education SIG Mission:To create a community resource that will strengthen the academic membership of the IGDA while enhancing the education of future and current game developer’s.
• Game Preservation SIG
• Human Resources SIG
• Indie SIG
• Intellectual Property Rights SIG
• Mobile SIG
• Online Games SIG
• Production SIG
• Quality Assurance SIG
• Sex in Games SIG
• Students SIG
• Tools SIG
• Women in Game Development SIG
• Writing SIG

[edit] Committees

Committees are 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, with yearly reports. Some of these reports then lead to standards for gaming industry to follow.

• Business
• Credit Standards
• Quality of Life

[edit] Board of Directors

The Board of Directors is composed of seven members, five of which are elected and the other two are appointed. They control every aspect of the IGDA for the three years they are in power.

IGDA has been chaired by:

• Ernest W. Adams (1995–1997)
• Noah Falstein (1997–1999)
• Alex Jarett (1999–2000)
• Matt Toschlog (2000–2002)
• Graeme Devine (2002–2003)
• Kathy Schoback (2003–2004)
• Jesse Schell (2004–2005)
• Bob Bates (2005–2006)
• Brian Reynolds (2006–present)

[edit] External links

• IGDA
• IGDA Forums
• IGDA Chapter Index
• IGDA Wiki
• GDSE: ionForge Joins International Game Developers Association April 20, 2005

[edit] References

• developer.*. The Independent Magazine for Software Professionals. The *.ORG Interview Series. Installment 2: The International Game Developers Association. Interview by Daniel Read. Answers by Jason Della Rocca, Program Director for the IGDA Interview conducted November, 2004.
• Monster.com - Tech Resource: International Game Developers Association. by Allan Hoffman, Monster Tech Jobs Expert