GDC 2009 - Tools SIG Notes

International Game Developers Association

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Contents

Topics

  • technology toolkit analysis
  • build process best practices (including asset cooking)
  • tools survey (wishlist)
  • Nocturnal / open source projects and APIs for tools
  • testing for tools dev best practices

Session

Mark DeLora did a middleware survey

  • survey:
    • What GUI APIs are people using?
      • .net, WinForms
      • wxWidgets
      • MFC, etc.
      • Qt
    • Using Ruby, Python, Perl?
      • small tools
      • one-offs

Tools SIG: What do people want out of it?

  • Wiki of best practices, APIs, papers, etc.
  • Portal for tech projects (links to external)
  • Summit? Talk to Neil Kirby about what it took
  • GDC Talks
    • Links to relevant talks (preferably off GDC site into author's archive site(s))
  • Best practices / hints for tools development or development process
    • links to "best of" posts from Toolsmiths

Summits

  • Are sponsors required?
  • How many/how much $ to get approved.
  • How many attendees predicted/required
  • There are one-day and two-day summits
  • Jeff will look into this

IGDA

IGDA is short on funds, please join and encourage others to do so

Jeff wants to do a formal survey "soon" - Mark Delora offered to help

Blog

  • post inflammatory stuff, it gets linked from Reddit, Digg, etc.
  • .net and excel editor articles had 30K and 50K hits respectively
  • balance "stirring the pot" with poor representation of the group, SIG, or IGDA in general

Need to increase SIG visibility:

  • active blog (keep it going!)
  • gamasutra and gamedev mag articles (gamedev.net?)
  • expert blogger on gamasutra
    • Jeff has mixed feelings about that: watering down group content vs. increased exposure

Academic Outreach:

  • IGDA student chapters and mailing lists
    • only seems to pick up for "who's going to GDC?" annual email threads
  • Talk to Susan about free IGDA student membership
  • Look at HCI Assistant Professors as another source (particularly for tools)
  • Also talk to Susan Gold Education SIG chair
    • Prof. Casey will try to look at this
    • Jeff tried to volunteer Rachel from Insomniac...  ;-)

List of things to accomplish this year

  • Tools survey
  • Wiki: what using, how using
  • Education Outreach
  • Toolsmiths@igda.org

Comments from attendees

  • Make description of this round-table more clear that this is SIG administrative
  • "need more comments and best practices" be more specific
    • Jeff recommended John's round-tables for that
  • Need resources for new tools devs. Where to start.
  • Don't list in game design track (SIG round-tables)
  • Need people to commit
    • [something lost here in the notes... commit to what?]
  • Blog: "these topics are going to be covered this month"
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