On the issue of international outreach: Yes, the “I” in IGDA does theoretically stand for something, and I think we are all aware that it is still largely a US-centric organization. While I cannot claim any definite plans for outreach, I can say that my work on GGJ shows dedication to this — I know for a fact that we gained three international Chapters as a direct result of GGJ 2009, for example — and I think that by opening up initiatives worldwide we can offer value to all members, regardless of time zone.

On the subject of QoL: your concern is that we already have a QoL SIG, so why is this something the IGDA needs to focus on? I would respond that while there is a SIG, that issues still persist in the industry, and if the IGDA just points to its SIG that can make it look like the IGDA as an organization is tap-dancing around the issue. QoL is an issue worth taking head-on, not just at the SIG level but at the organizational level, given that people’s lives, families, and emotional, mental and physical health hang in the balance (not to mention the quality of the games they are working so hard on).

As for student members: since I am a professor, you know that I support students even outside the IGDA. The issue of student memberships usually comes up around this time of year. Last I checked, the ONLY difference between student and full membership was the right to vote in elections, and there are no restrictions on full membership (i.e. any student can pay the extra $18 to cast a vote for the Board if they want). This makes student membership a great deal, as they get a lot of benefit for a relatively low cost, so I do not see much of a need to make drastic changes to this system. If anything, I’d love to see more schools promoting IGDA to their students; while schools can be part of the IGDA Partners program, I think we could do more here, perhaps offering institutional or departmental memberships to colleges/universities and their faculty and students.

Most of my work, when not making or teaching games development is dedicated to engaging with industry and academia. I feel students are our future and that of the industry.

If you take this example; when students register for college, banks line up to get them to join – in the hope they become life long customers.

Similarly it would be great for IGDA to use opporttunites like these to ensure international students are aware and involved with the association. Global Game Jam has been fantastic success…..hats off to Susan, Ian and the rest of the team who put GGJ together. I support the event each year and enjoy working with my students and students from other colleges/locations.

If you look at the GamesFleadh.ie site you will see the IGDA logo is prominently placed. I also include the logo in many workshops presented to thousands of people.

I do think the IGDA can grow internationally and as you have pointed out this requires people with international expertise. My next workshop takes place in Qatar, again I will ensure awareness of the IGDA during the presentation….elected or not.

Thanks for coming by and commenting! I hope the candidates get back to you.

(And yes, in fact I wanted to restart the Students SIG if you were on their mailing list, but this got turned down a while back since they were busy (think: fiascos, no ED) and I now need to find new people to get involved in it, haha! However that does mean I know what I’m talking about I hope!).

The one thing I feel is missed out (not just by your additional questions – I could have taken this myself to the candidates I guess!) is the international aspect – NOT that there is a massive amount of people outside of the Americas as members – which might well be my point. To be honest, most candidates are American or work in the Americas, most do not even say “international” anywhere, and think that the healthcare benefits, for instance, apply to all members! The fact there isn’t anyone from the East also is a little sad, but the efforts there are mainly centred around a few chapters in major cities I guess and there has been no major outreach to get such people involved unless they can communicate in English.

Only one thing comes to mind here; that there are more then enough internal problems (as noted) and issues with entrenched USA chapters/things to warrant ignoring everyone else, but it is a bit sad regardless, especially since more outreach to those areas would be nice. For instance, if a board member is present at any big events outside of America, would they make time to meet IGDA members? or have an informal get together? (in fact with Jason gone, since he did a good job of that, will our new ED do this or any current board members? ).

Another was, in the case of people who have no past IGDA work under their name (and if they had but didn’t mention it, well…) I laud the fact the last year likely spurred many people into action but I do wonder if they will work as a volunteer trying to help the areas they promoted themselves to help if they didn’t get a board position. I feel the SIG members would carry on regardless, while others would just disappear as quickly as they appeared. Of course this is always an issue, nothing specific to this organisation! (and I’d agree that some things can only be done on the board such as finances and board communication, but most of peoples points were on Quality of Life (there’s a SIG!), providing information or expertise (I am sure any of board would welcome both), etc.).

I’ll leave my actual voting until next week, I’ve noted down names and will check one last time here for updated questions. I think voting closes on the 28th (it’s a bit confusing…!).

If anyone who is nominated wants to answer these vague, generalised areas of IGDA work I’ll certainly read them. Maybe I should think about emailing them all, but it’d need to be formatted in question form, something I don’t feel I can get the point of across as well as!

In any case, I feel there are many worthwhile choices even reading a little into what they don’t say rather then what they do say (not that they’d not do work, I am sure all would – just you want them to do effective work that aligns with what you prefer!), and I am glad you are not limited in the amount of tickboxes you can choose. This method of voting does make you think more then ranking people, or just being able to choose X, where X is the amount of seats available.

Thanks again for doing it and sorry for this long and rant-like comment, it isn’t intended to be, I can fully see where priorities lie for the better, just thinking about it after reading 23 different peoples stuff! Especially since they are elected for 3 years and some of their work might take less time then this unless they are verryyyy slow.

I believe it would be worth wild for everyone to participate in a moderated webinar or chat. Maybe 3 random candidates a session, spread everyone out over the course of two weeks and allow the voting members to join us and ask whatever questions they may have. Not only will this give us a chance to interact with our members, but it will also give the IGDA a little more insight on the topics our members are concerned about.

I fully support the need for all members to research and become informed about the candidates, and if anyone have questions for the candidates, they should be encouranged to voice them publicly.

Schedule is Chicago Monday and Saturday and Washington State for most of the week. I can also pop across to Canada, to cities close to Washington state.

Are you going to submit your questions to the email addresses they provide on their pages?

And I hope that the IGDA news feed can post links to things like this – there’s a dire need for simply more information, and it’s hard to find – there isn’t even a forum for discussing candidates on the IGDA site! Makes it hard for members to find information from candidates (like Phil’s answers!)

I’m in agreement with Coray that this is a great thing. I’m running too, and look forward to seeing you tear my platform apart along with all the others

Coray – don’t be so happy until you see what Scott actually writes about you

Thanks very much for coming by, and for your responses. I’ll put them into that post & note it here as well.

thank you for your questions. Please see my answers below, please feel free to follow with further questions/comments.

******Can you please answer the question of how much time you would plan to spend on the IGDA, and how much you think is appropriate?

Initially I plan for four to five hours per week for two to three weeks. Post this two to four hours per week – more time for priority issues.

When meeting people from industry and those interested in the games industry – I will also dedicate part of those meetings to representing IGDA.

BTW its currently 21:00 in Ireland, and I’m still working (from 06:00 am) – not the best situation when considering your next question.

******What do you think the IGDA’s role in the industry-wide Quality of Life discussions should be?

The IGDA needs to set and update policy for QOL best practice and lobby industry to adopt best practice. Each country has its own industrial relations vehicles and IGDA policy needs to respect those mechanisms. Members and non-members also have a role to play in ensuring the profession is a respected one, both by their employers and the industry in general. No amount of policy will improve things if people accept unacceptable conditions.

******What are you bringing to the table here that makes you a better candidate than the other nominees?

I am not in a political party and so feel very comfortable stating the following.

There are 20 excellent candidates and I don’t consider myself better than any of them.

What do I bring to the table – over 20 years experience in working with international organisations.

********Do you think the IGDA’s dependence on studio sponsorships for money is a bad thing? If yes, what will you do to begin changing this? If no, why not?

Yes – if the IGDA main modus operandi is solely industrial relations.

No – as the IGDA core values are Community, Professionalism, Expression, Innovation, Impact, Leadership and Fun – through working to improve the lives IGDA members – the industry benefits.

My answer is no.

As the industry is a beneficiary the IGDA is a beneficiary. This symbiotic relationship will only work where there is inclusion that encourages contribution. This can take many forms – financial or benefit in kind (examples include support of community involvement, CPD – continual professional development, supporting attendance at industry events)

Sean Kane

This is an awesome initiative and I’m super happy to see you doing it. This is EXACTLY what the IGDA needs…and I’m not just buttering you up since I’m running this year

That said, the fruit basket should be there in a day or two.

Cheers,

- C