Houston Game Developers:

There have been a few changes recently within our local International Game Developers Association (IGDA) chapter. I have recently assumed chapter coordinator responsibilities from Carlos and Michelle Sandoval of Sharkbyte Studios. I would like to start by personally thanking both of them for their hard work and contributions over the years to our local chapter.

Over the past several weeks, we have diligently been working on and planning out a re-launching of the Houston IGDA chapter. This re-launching effort has been driven by a few key goals.

First, we want to effectively recreate the chapter from the ground up. This means redesigning the local chapter website (www.igda.org/houston), establishing new sources of funding and sponsorships, and scouting out new locations for our meetings and events. The chapter mailing list is also being built from the ground up, so if you haven’t already, please sign up on our chapter website. The sign up form is on the left hand side of the chapter’s home page. All future meeting notifications and chapter announcements will be distributed via this new mailing list.

Secondly, we want to maintain a predictable schedule of local events. To start with, we are planning on meeting a minimum of once every calendar quarter – like clockwork. Moving forward, we will constantly evaluate the need for more frequent events as both demand and chapter membership continues to grow.

Events will primarily fall into one of three categories: (i) networking/social events, (ii) sponsored sessions where gaming-related software/hardware/service companies will come to Houston and show their latest and greatest products, and (iii) presentations from local or visiting industry personalities discussing best practices and sharing development war stories. Some meetings will likely be combinations of the above categories.

We also want to make sure we provide a platform in which the local game development community can actively participate. Through presentations, panels, and other events, our goal is to facilitate the communication of new ideas, promote discussions within the development community, and provide opportunities for networking and knowledge-sharing.

Our first meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, July 22, 2008, starting at 7:00 p.m. at Dave & Busters in the Galleria area. A more detailed meeting agenda, along with a map to the venue will be sent out as we get closer to the meeting date. You can always get information on our next meeting from our chapter website.

The guest speaker for our first meeting is Katy Daiger of the Texas Film Commission (TFC). Katy and the TFC have been doing a lot of work recently to promote game development within Texas (and Houston of course!). She will introduce the TFC to us and share some details on the incentives for which local game developers may be eligible.

I look forward to seeing everyone at our next meeting on July 22! Please mark the meeting down on your calendars!

Adel Chaveleh
IGDA Houston Chapter Coordinator | www.igda.org/houston
Email: adel@timegate.com

P.S. Please forward this to anyone that you think may be interested.

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About The Texas Film Commission
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The Texas Film Commission (TFC) is a division of the Governor's Office dedicated to supporting the State's film, television, commercial, animation, and video game industries. The TFC's mission is to raise the visibility level of the Texas media industries and assist local filmmakers and game developers with their projects in order to maintain jobs for Texans and positively impact the State's economy. The TFC administers the new Texas Incentive Program, which provides incentive payments for qualified projects equal to 5% of in-state spending. In addition, the TFC also assists local producers with the sales tax exemptions they can take advantage of, and is an information resource on everything from school programs to possible filming locations.

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About Katy Daiger
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Katy Daiger is the Animation and Game Industries Liaison for the Texas Film Commission. She works directly with local game developers and animation production companies, making it easier for them to do business in Texas. She is also responsible for tracking the size and scope of the Texas game and animation industries, and marketing the State's talent to worldwide entertainment producers.