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[[Image:Ernest_Adams_in_hat.JPG|right]]

'''Ernest Adams''' is the founder and first chairman of the IGDA, serving as chairman from its origin (called the [[CGDA]] at the time) in 1994, through its full incorporation as a nonprofit organization in 1995, until 1997. He is a freelance game design consultant, writer, and teacher, having worked in the game industry since 1989.

Although Adams is the founder of the corporation, the original idea for a professional society for game developers came from David Walker, the founder of another group, the Computer Entertainment Developers' Association ([[CEDA]]). Dave graciously agreed to merge CEDA into the CGDA and to serve on the CGDA's board of directors in the early years. The name of the group was changed to the IGDA somewhat later, to reflect the international nature of game development.

The organization has grown and changed over the years, but many of Adams' original visions for it have been realized, including supporting game developer education; promoting cooperation between the industry and the academy; encouraging women to enter the industry; addressing quality-of-life issues in the game industry; and representing the voice of developers in political and public forums.

Adams is also responsible for the "approval voting" system of electing directors, which discourages factionalism, prevents spoilers, and tends to elect directors acceptable to the largest number of people.

His professional website, which includes his CV and other qualifications, is at [http://www.designersnotebook.com www.designersnotebook.com].

== Official website ==

http://www.designersnotebook.com/

== Books ==

* [[Andrew Rollings and Ernest Adams on Game Design]]
* [[Break into the Game Industry]]: How to Get a Job Making Video Games
* [[Fundamentals of Game Design]]



[[Category:Authors]]
[[Category:Consultants]]