Chapter/Guide/Policies/Website
International Game Developers Association
IV. Chapter Website
Most people learn about their local IGDA chapters online, making your chapter website an invaluable “one‐stop” resource for interested members, local press, and potential sponsors. New members are more eager to participate in upcoming meetings if they see an active history of meetings featuring thought‐provoking content. Chapters lose their appeal to both new members and potential sponsors if a chapter’s website has little, or outdated, information, as this gives the impression that the chapter is dormant.
- A. Setting Up
Keeping your website organized and updated with fresh content requires very little work, once your website is set up. The IGDA offers several options for chapter websites:
- IGDA hosted standard website: Your chapter is provided with a folder on the IGDAʹs server, based on the chapter name (e.g., igda.org/montreal). The chapter is given virtual FTP access to this folder. Within this folder, a chapter can create a website with basic HTML, and/or use more advanced techniques via PHP, JavaScript, CSS, etc. Examples are:
- http://www.igda.org/montreal/
- http://www.igda.org/sf/
- http://www.igda.org/midlands/
- http://www.igda.org/seattle/
- http://www.igda.org/chicago/
- IGDA hosted blog site: The IGDA has a site‐wide installation of Moveable Type. A chapter that prefers the ease‐of‐use of a blog interface can have the IGDA create a blog in their chapter’s folder. It is recommended that chapters update/tweak the default blog visual template. Examples are:
- Externally hosted site: Externally hosted site: For ultimate control and flexibility, a chapter could host a site on its own (perhaps on the server of a local company). In such a case, the IGDA would provide a redirect to your external site. Examples are:
- http://www.igda.org/boston
- http://www.bostonpostmortem.org/
- http://www.igda.org/japan
- http://www.igda.jp/
- Wiki based site: The IGDA also has a site‐wide installation of Mediawiki. This is a possible option for advanced web users. More details can be provided upon request. Examples are:
- B. Site Content / Structure
Below is a listing of recommended content that should be included for all chapters. These recommendations can apply to either a simple single-page chapter site, or to a more complex chapter site.
Header:
- IGDA logo or chapter custom logo
- Chapter name
- Brief introductory/welcome paragraph
Next Meeting:
All info regarding the next chapter meeting, including:
- date/time
- meeting place, address, phone, link to map
- agenda, speaker/presentation info - sponsor links/logos
- relevant pictures (e.g., speaker headshot, game screen caps, etc.)
Summary Reports:
Maintain an archive of past meeting reports to highlight frequency and diversity of chapter activities
Communication:
List out all the means by which the chapter can be reached and members can communicate with each other. This would include:
- main contact email/phone
- link to IGDA discussion forum
- link to dedicated chapter mailing list
Chapter Team:
List chapter coordinators, volunteers and any advisors who contribute to running the chapter (Names, title, company, email address, etc.).
Resources/Links:
Link out to relevant local game companies, vendors, services providers, schools, government support agencies, etc.
- C. Web Team Volunteers
If coordinators are unable to recruit a local volunteer to handle website responsibilities, the IGDA Web Team is available to help design, build, and maintain chapter websites. Please contact us to request a volunteer.
