Online Games SIG/Conference Calls/September 23, 2009

Notes from Conference Call 9/23/2009 4 p.m. EST

Discussion of recent conferences:
- PAX, sort of an "E-3 for the public}
- Next PAX conference will be on East Coast in March
Engage conference, ongoing. Lots of discussion of virtual goods
GDC Austin last week, lots of show floor traffic.
- Some companies such as Blizzard sharing numbers, showing how they are measuring success
- Increased presence from social games
- Different "niches" of online industry seem to be coming together smooth: Social, casual, MMO, free-to-play
- IGDA presence at GDC Austin with stickers on badges, and various booths
Upcoming New York Games conference
Discussion of plans for presence at GDC in San Francisco 2010
- Create a networking event, with food/beverages, to introduce SIG goals, and give everyone an hour to network on one evening, maybe Tuesday night right before show begins
  - Have a host/speaker as a draw
  - Setup a webpage with event info, allow SIG members to RSVP
  - Need to gather information on available spaces, look for sponsorship
Online Games SIG (daytime) meeting also requested for GDC 2010
Discussion of new IGDA website, targeted for October launch
- First poll question has been placed on new website, which currently only allows 1-question polls.
- Drupal, open source content management capabilities. Setting up a blog
Discussion of miscellaneous industry buzz: Virtual worlds lawsuits, Zynga/Playdom, Second Life virtual goods, etc.