The IGDA vs indie and casual games

[Qitsune]

Last night I went to the meeting of my local chapter of the IGDA, which was packed full (the presentation was about Bioshock.)

I've been toying with the idea of becoming a member for some time but the meeting reminded me how large-studio-oriented the IGDA is. There is very little networking to be had because people go there with their team mates, already know a large number of people and are not looking for new contacts.

Many (5-7) years ago they used to give you a nametag and write on it where you worked and what you did and send you on your way. Of course back then having 35 people in a meeting was a big success and back then I did indeed find contracts at IGDA meeting.

There are useful infos on the IGDA site and on the forum, but I'm not aware of any resource that could be useful to me that I would have access if I were a member and that I can't access now.

So I'm wondering, are any of you members of the IGDA? What do you get of it? How do you think the IGDA relates to indie and casual developers? Is there another association that would be better suited for smaller developpers?

[zoombapup]

To be honest, I think its like that for any event you go to where you havent already got people to talk with arranged.

I've been to many events, including our local IGDA meetings and it often feels quite lonely if you havent already got friends there.

Our local IGDA meetings really are as you say, just pissup's for the bigger companies (usually thier QA department).

I guess the only way to change that is to lobby them to change things. But it doesnt really make sense for them NOT to be there. Mainly you need to lobby the organizers to at least put on some events that work for you as well (for instance we're looking at getting the local IGDA to have some sort of workshop event).

[DrWilloughby]

I've only been to one San Diego meeting recently, when Jim Buck was organizing. It was just a social event, and for that I felt it was great for networking. Just gotta be brave and walk right up to people and introduce yourself :) Beer helps.

[Qitsune]

The best part was when one of the speakers was talking about the Montreal Game Summit and he said:"there also is going to be a VIP cocktail for your bosses, and maybe even some of you..." where the last part was clearly an afterthought to try and not insult everyone. It really made me feel like the IGDA public meetings (as opposed to members only meetings) were meant to entertain the lowly masses of the game development trenches. I'm not sure if there are any decision makers making it anymore to the meetings or if they hover in the VIP areas feeling sufficient and aloof.

[Matthew]

The IGDA is fairly localized--each individual chapter basically runs their own meeting schedule, format, and atmosphere. I used to run the Phoenix chapter, and we had more of an indie/student bent than chapters in game industry hotspots. A lot of what you get out of your local chapter will depend on your local industry demographics.

[JasonDellaRocca]

Hi Chantal,

Great criticisms, thanks. Indeed, the Montreal chapter event last week was a bit out of control - way more people showed up than we were expecting. And, networking has become more difficult to promote. Check out Darius' series of articles for some tips:

http://tinysubversions.blogspot.com/2005/10/effective-networking-in-games-industry.html

As noted by others, each chapter is somewhat different and heavily reflects the local industry/community... In terms of the IGDA as a whole, there is much greater diversity.

And, in fact, our Casual Games SIG is one of our biggest and most productive SIGs. Check them out:
http://www.igda.org/casual/

Regards,
Jason

[Andy]

To established developers from here:
Do you really feel any benefit or support from that IGDA at all? Could you please share your vision if so...

PS I assume everyone could imagine my opinion on issue. But yes, I'm learning to be polite. :p

[cliffski]

Nope, never been to a meeting, or been invited. I'd go if it was for small companies, but it would just be full of people from my last job, so not really much help in terms of furthering my own stuff.

[Dan MacDonald]

The chapter in the Seattle area is very retail development focused, that or for students trying get a job in the retail industry. That's not suprising though given the fact that it's held in the Nintendo Campus right next to microsoft :)

[Andy]

Yeah, everything about Seattle isn't counted for regular people around at all. :)

[Qitsune]

Jason, the content was well worth it. I've been going to IGDA meetings on and off since early 2000 and I remember the very first presentation at a meeting (Luc's take on vertex shaders made my head spin.)

It's normal that much of the focus at the chapter is on Ubi/Ea/A2M and other large developpers since they pay for the beer. I just find myself lost in the crowd where I don't feel that decision makers are, where I don't see indies, students or freelancer, maybe because they are as lost as me. The ladies night was a great moment to meet new people because it was not people going with all their crowd (not enough women for there to be crowds of them.) It was easier back in the smaller meetings time at the Quartier latin but I'm not blaming the IGDA. I'm just trying to justify spending money on a membership.

Cliffski, as Matthew mentioned, it's very different from one chapter to the next, I don't know what the UK ones are like but our meetings have very informative content that may or may not be useful to indies (you have to pick your meetings.)

[MrPhil]

I've been a member for a few years and can't see how it has benefited me. That said, I also never went to a local chapter meeting etc. My due are up for renewal and I think I'll just let them lapse.