International Game Developers Association
Encyclopedia
International Game Developers Association (IGDA) is the professional society for over 10,000 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."
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.
Gordon Bellamy became executive director
in August 2010 replacing Joshua Caulfield.
The original Executive Director of the IGDA, Jason Della Rocca
, stepped down in March 2009.
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.
A task force has been created to consider chapter formalization, but no such formalities as official membership currently exist for IGDA chapters.
Regional chapters may collaborate on events, as with the GameX Industry Summit.
Special Interest Group
s, 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
.
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.
It is incorporated in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
as a non-profit organization
Non-profit organization
Nonprofit organization is neither a legal nor technical definition but generally refers to an organization that uses surplus revenues to achieve its goals, rather than distributing them as profit or dividends...
.
Its stated mission is "To advance the careers and enhance the lives of game developers."
In recognition of the wide-ranging, multidisciplinary nature of interactive entertainment
Interactive entertainment
The phrase interactive entertainment also known as video games refers to the business of producing and distributing products and services, or the products and services, of which the entertainment value can be influenced by users through direct feedback.-Origins:Although Hal Halpin claims credit...
, there are no barriers to entry.
Any person who considers him- or herself to be a game developer may join.
Gordon Bellamy became executive director
Executive director
Executive director is a term sometimes applied to the chief executive officer or managing director of an organization, company, or corporation. It is widely used in North American non-profit organizations, though in recent decades many U.S. nonprofits have adopted the title "President/CEO"...
in August 2010 replacing Joshua Caulfield.
The original Executive Director of the IGDA, Jason Della Rocca
Jason Della Rocca
Jason Della Rocca is the former executive director of the International Game Developers Association : Della Rocca supervised the daily operations, outreach initiatives, and membership programs of the organization from September 2000 to March 2009...
, stepped down in March 2009.
Organization
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.
A task force has been created to consider chapter formalization, but no such formalities as official membership currently exist for IGDA chapters.
Regional chapters may collaborate on events, as with the GameX Industry Summit.
Special Interest Group
Special Interest Group
A Special Interest Group is a community with an interest in advancing a specific area of knowledge, learning or technology where members cooperate to effect or to produce solutions within their particular field, and may communicate, meet, and organize conferences...
s, 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
Global Game Jam
The Global Game Jam is an annual event in which participants design and create digital and non-digital games over the course of one weekend. Inspired by the Nordic Game Jam, and organized by the International Game Developers Association...
.
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.