Editing International Game Developers Association

{{Short description|US nonprofit professional association}}
{{redirect|IGDA|other uses|IGDA (disambiguation)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2022}}
{{EngvarB|date=May 2022}}
{{Infobox organization
| name = International Game Developers Association (IGDA)
| image = [[File:IGDA logo.png|216x89px]]
| formation = {{Start date and age|1994}} (as Computer Game Developers Association)
| type = [[501(c)(6)]] organisation
| area_served = Worldwide
| focus = [[PC game|Computer games]] and [[interactive media]]
| membership = Over 12,000
| leader_title = Executive Director
| leader_name = [[Jakin Vela]] (since 2022)
| leader_title2 = Chair of board of directors
| leader_name2 = Margaret Krohn (2023)
| website = {{URL|https://igda.org/}}
}}
The '''International Game Developers Association''' ('''IGDA''') is a nonprofit [[professional association]]<ref>"[https://www.igda.org/page/about About the IGDA]," paragraph 1. International Game Developers Association. Retrieved 28 December 2018.</ref> whose stated mission is to "support and empower [[video game developers|game developers]] around the world in achieving fulfilling and sustainable careers."<ref>"[https://www.igda.org/news/392177/IGDA-Relaunches-with-New-Member-Benefits-Press-Release.htm IGDA Relaunches with New Member Benefits]." International Game Developers Association. Retrieved 28 December 2018.</ref>

The IGDA is incorporated in the United States as a [[501(c)(6)]] nonprofit organization. It has over 12,000<ref name="escapist" /> members from all fields of [[game development]]. In recognition of the wide-ranging, multidisciplinary nature of [[interactive entertainment]], everyone who participates in any way in the game development process is welcome to join the IGDA.

== History ==
[[File:The attendees of the first Computer Game Developers Conference.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Attendees at the April 1988 Computer Game Developers Conference]]
The beginnings of the IGDA emerged from several other organizations for computer game developers which were forming in the late 1980s and early 1990s:
* The '''Computer Game Designers Symposium''', later known as the [[Computer Game Developers Conference]], was started in 1988 by [[Chris Crawford (game designer)|Chris Crawford]]. He had already been producing a bimonthly newsletter for game developers, ''The Journal of Computer Game Design'', since 1987. One of the subscribers, game programmer [[Nicky Robinson (game programmer)|Nicky Robinson]], suggested that he hold a gathering.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.erasmatazz.com/library/the-journal-of-computer/index.html|work=The Journal of Computer Game Design|title=(directory)|author=Crawford, Chris|accessdate=1 December 2021}}</ref> Crawford took her suggestion, made announcements in two issues of the journal,<ref name=journal4>{{cite journal|url=http://www.erasmatazz.com/library/the-journal-of-computer/jcgd-volume-1/volume-1-number-4-december.html|journal=The Journal of Computer Game Design|volume=1|number=4|date= December 1987 – January 1988|author=Crawford, Chris|authorlink=Chris Crawford (game designer)| title=A Symposium for Game Designers?}}</ref><ref name=journal5>{{cite journal|url=http://www.erasmatazz.com/library/the-journal-of-computer/jcgd-volume-1/volume-1-number-5-februarym.html|journal=The Journal of Computer Game Design|volume=1|number=5|date=February–March 1988|author=Crawford, Chris|authorlink=Chris Crawford (game designer)| title=The Symposium Is On!}}</ref> and hosted the first event in April 1988 in his living room in [[San Jose, California]].<ref name=doc/>
* The '''Los Angeles Computer Game Developers meetings''', 1989–1991, created by Richard Pferdner and David Walker<ref>{{MobyGames developer|id=26804|name=David Walker}}</ref>
* The '''Bay Area Computer Entertainment Developers meetings''', 1991–1993, created by Tim Brengle and David Walker, which met monthly
** In 1992, in response to a need for a professional organization, Brengle and Walker also created the '''Computer Entertainment Developers Association'''. Dues were $75/year, and included a subscription to Crawford's ''Journal of Computer Game Design''. CEDA gained members both locally and internationally.<ref name=walker>{{cite web|url=https://www.linkedin.com/in/walkerdh/|title=David Walker|publisher=LinkedIn|accessdate=1 December 2021}}</ref>

Crawford's living room event in April 1988, the CGDC, had brought in 26 or 27 game developers.<ref name=journal7-cliff>{{cite journal|url=http://www.erasmatazz.com/library/the-journal-of-computer/jcgd-volume-1/volume-1-number-7-junejuly.html|journal=The Journal of Computer Game Design|volume=1|number=7|date= June–July 1988|author=Johnson, Cliff|authorlink=Cliff Johnson (game designer)| title=Report on the April Games Symposium}}</ref><ref name=j7-conf2>{{cite journal|url=http://www.erasmatazz.com/library/the-journal-of-computer/jcgd-volume-1/volume-1-number-7-junejuly.html|journal=The Journal of Computer Game Design|volume=1|number=7|date= June–July 1988|author=Crawford, Chris|authorlink=Chris Crawford (game designer)| title=Computer Game Developer's Conference II}}</ref> It was such a success<ref name=doc/><ref name=journal7-cliff/><ref name=j7-ruminations>{{cite journal|url=http://www.erasmatazz.com/library/the-journal-of-computer/jcgd-volume-1/volume-1-number-7-junejuly.html|journal=The Journal of Computer Game Design|volume=1|number=7|date= June–July 1988|author=Crawford, Chris|authorlink=Chris Crawford (game designer)| title=Endpage: Ruminations on the Game Designer's Symposium}}</ref> that on the spot a steering committee was formed to host a larger event six months later at a Holiday Inn in [[Milpitas, California]], which drew 127 developers.<ref name=doc>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HqpzBzcvUdw|via=YouTube|title=The history of Game Developers Conference (documentary, 2019/2020)|date=3 August 2020|accessdate=1 December 2021|format=video}}</ref> Then this event continued to be held each Spring. It grew rapidly, by 50% or more each year, moving to larger and larger venues.<ref name=doc/> Early conference directors included developers such as Crawford, [[Brenda Laurel]], Nicky Robinson, [[Anne Westfall]], and Ernest W. Adams.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.erasmatazz.com/personal/experiences/the-computer-game-developer.html|date=14 August 2010|accessdate=1 December 2021|title=The Computer Game Developer's Conference|author=Crawford, Chris|authorlink=Chris Crawford (game designer)|publisher=Erasmatazz}}</ref>

In 1994 the CGDC then sponsored its own association, the '''Computer Game Developers Association''', or CGDA, taking over the membership list from Walker and Brengle's CEDA. Initial board members included David Walker, Tim Brengle, Anne Westfall, and Ernest Adams, who became Chair. [[Jennifer Pahlka]] became the first Executive Director.<ref name=escapist>{{cite news|work=[[The Escapist (magazine)|The Escapist]]|author=Hoffman, Erin|authorlink=Erin Hoffman|url=https://www.escapistmagazine.com/lets-get-together/|date=2 October 2007|accessdate=1 December 2021|title=Let's Get Together}}</ref> In 1997 when elections were held, [[Noah Falstein]] became the first elected chair.

A separate organization was also created in 1996, the IGDN, '''International Game Developers Network''', run by people such as [[Marc Mencher]] and [[Gordon Walton]].<ref>{{cite news|work=[[GameSpot]]|author=Dunkin, Alan|date=28 April 2000|accessdate=1 December 2021|title=IGDN comes to town|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/igdn-comes-to-town/1100-2462304/}}</ref> It had its own conference, the International Game Developers Network Conference, launched in 1998 in [[Austin, Texas]].

The two organizations, the CGDA and the IGDN, ran more or less in parallel for a while, and then merged in 1999 as the International Game Developers Association, with David Walker and Tim Brengle as members No. 1 and 2.<ref name=walker/><ref name=igda-about>{{cite web|url=https://igda.org/about-us/|publisher=igda.org|title=About Us|accessdate=1 December 2021}}</ref> Hap Aziz on the board of the CGDA and David Weinstein on the board of the IGDN were tasked with merging the two organizations and named the IGDA as a combination of the CGDA and the IGDN.

== Structure ==
The ''board of directors'' is the governing body of the IGDA. As of 2023, [[Margaret Krohn]] is the chair of the board of directors.<ref>"[https://igda.org/about-us/staff-and-board/ IGDA Board of Directors]." International Game Developers Association. Retrieved 19 August 2023</ref>

Day-to-day operations of the IGDA are handled by Executive Directors. Since 1994, these have been:

* [[Jennifer Pahlka]], 1994
* [[Jason Della Rocca]], 2000
* Joshua Caulfield, 2009
* [[Gordon Bellamy]], 2010
* [[Kate Edwards]], 2012<ref name=Venture>{{cite web|last=Takahashi|first=Dean|title=IGDA chief Gordon Bellamy joins Tencent|url=https://venturebeat.com/2012/07/30/igda-chief-gordon-bellamy-joins-tencent/|work=Venturebeat.com|date=30 July 2012|access-date=11 September 2013|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140201231632/http://venturebeat.com/2012/07/30/igda-chief-gordon-bellamy-joins-tencent/|archive-date=1 February 2014}}</ref>
* [[Jennifer MacLean]], 2017<ref>"[https://www.igda.org/news/386344/IGDA-Appoints-Jen-MacLean-Permanent-Executive-Director-Press-Release.htm IGDA Appoints Jen MacLean Permanent Executive Director] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181229075602/https://www.igda.org/news/386344/IGDA-Appoints-Jen-MacLean-Permanent-Executive-Director-Press-Release.htm |date=2018-12-29 }}." International Game Developers Association. Retrieved 28 December 2018.</ref> 
* [[Renee Gittins]], 2019–2022<ref name=ReneeGittins>{{cite web |title=IGDA Appoints New Executive Director Renee Gittins |url=https://gamasutra.com/view/pressreleases/346372/IGDA_Appoints_New_Executive_Director_Renee_Gittins.php |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190718201329/https://gamasutra.com/view/pressreleases/346372/IGDA_Appoints_New_Executive_Director_Renee_Gittins.php |url-status=dead |archive-date=18 July 2019 |access-date=18 July 2019}}</ref>
* [[Jakin Vela]], 2022–present<ref>{{cite web |title= Dr. Jakin Vela is the new executive director of the IGDA |url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/culture/dr-jakin-vela-is-the-new-executive-director-of-the-igda |access-date=15 August 2023|date=18 May 2022|last=Kerr|first=Chris|work=Game Developer}}</ref>

Other structures within the IGDA include:

* ''Chapters'', intended to provide an informal way to connect game developers within local communities. Chapters vary greatly in size and meeting attendance. They provide forums, for example, for discussions on current issues in the computer gaming industry and demos of the latest games.
* ''[[Special Interest Group]]s'', better known as SIGs, are intended to spark developer interest in a specific topics or disciplines. For example, the Game Education SIG has a stated mission "To create a community resource that will strengthen the academic membership of the IGDA while enhancing the education of future and current game developers." Some SIGs sponsor events, such as creating the [[Global Game Jam]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://igda.org/education/2008/11/igda-education-sig-spawns-first-global.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090514014744/http://igda.org/education/2008/11/igda-education-sig-spawns-first-global.html |archive-date=2009-05-14 |date=23 November 2008|access-date=27 August 2009|title= IGDA Education SIG Spawns First Global Game Jam|publisher=IGDA}}</ref>
* ''Committees'' are generally formed by the IGDA to conduct research into a subject, normally for a short period, leading to a single report. Some, however, are semi-permanent, and produce yearly reports. Some of these reports lead to gaming industry standards.

== Advocacy ==

Aside from bringing game developers together, the IGDA focuses on the following issues present in the game development industry:<ref>"[https://www.igda.org/page/advocacy Advocacy]." International Game Developers Association. Retrieved 28 December 2018.</ref>

* [[Quality of life]] – making the process of game development easier and more pleasant for everyone.
* Diversity – ensuring that people from a wide range of backgrounds and their needs are represented in the game development industry
* Anti-Censorship – recognizing games as an [[art form]], and as a medium of expression
* Business and Legal Issues – empowering the development community with business knowledge and advocating for developers
* Student and Academic Relations – setting curriculum guidelines, enhancing collaboration between industry and academia and providing guidance to students wanting a career in games

Starting in 2014, the association has been working with the [[FBI]] to deal with the online harassment of developers.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.polygon.com/2014/9/4/6105185/fbi-game-developer-harassment |title=FBI working with game developer association to combat online harassment |website=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] |date=4 September 2014 |access-date=2014-09-15 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140908004144/http://www.polygon.com/2014/9/4/6105185/fbi-game-developer-harassment |archive-date=2014-09-08 }}</ref>

The IGDA introduced the first annual Global Industry Game Awards (GIGA) in August 2021, in collaboration with devcom, a branch of the annual [[Gamescom]] convention devoted to video game development. The awards were designed "to celebrate the contributions of individuals and discipline teams across the many facets of game development", with several awards given in each category of Art, Audio, Design, Engineering and Technology, Support, Writing and Narrative, and other awards, rather than focusing on the whole studio behind a given game.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.ign.com/articles/hades-last-of-us-giga-awards | title = Hades Wins Big at Inaugural Global Game Industry Awards |first = Logan | last = Plant | date = 30 August 2021 | accessdate = 30 August 2021 | work = [[IGN]] }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = https://igda.org/global-industry-game-awards/ | title = Global Industry Game Awards | publisher = International Game Developers Association | date = 30 August 2021 | accessdate = 30 August 2021 }}</ref>

== Programs ==

The IGDA, through its chapters and SIGs, organizes hundreds of events for members of the game development industry including chapter meetings and meetups. However, there are larger events that are organized that bring IGDA's international members together:
* IGDA Summit –  The IGDA Summit highlights the expertise, insights and experience of the global IGDA membership – from board members and staff to key volunteers and engaged members.<ref>{{cite web|title=About|url=http://www.igda.org/summit/about/|work=IGDA.org|access-date=11 September 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130905200017/http://www.igda.org/summit/about/|archive-date=5 September 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.igda.org/summit/about/ |title=About &#124; IGDA Summit |access-date=2013-09-11 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130905200017/http://www.igda.org/summit/about/ |archive-date=2013-09-05 }}</ref>
* IGDA Scholars Program – The IGDA Scholars Program is a program that awards promising students in game development and related disciplines passes to key conferences related to game development (e.g. [[Game Developers Conference]] and the [[Electronic Entertainment Expo]]) and includes mentorship from key members of the game development industry, opportunities to visit local studios or meetings with senior figures in the industry.<ref>{{cite web|title=About the Scholarships|url=http://www.igda.org/scholars/about-the-scholarships/|work=IGDA.org|access-date=11 September 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130603065303/http://www.igda.org/scholars/about-the-scholarships/|archive-date=3 June 2013}}</ref>
* IGDA Leadership Track at Southern Interactive Entertainment and Game Expo (SIEGE) – The IGDA Leadership Track at SIEGE will encompass a broad range of topics pertinent to the heads of game studios.<ref>{{cite news|last=GamesPress|title=SIEGE Adds IGDA Leadership Track for Game Devs|url=http://www.gamasutra.com/view/pressreleases/195141/SIEGE_Adds_IGDA_Leadership_Track_for_Game_Devs.php|access-date=11 September 2013|newspaper=Gamasutra.com|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140219050416/http://www.gamasutra.com/view/pressreleases/195141/SIEGE_Adds_IGDA_Leadership_Track_for_Game_Devs.php|archive-date=19 February 2014}}</ref>
* IGDA Global Mentorship Program – As described on the IGDA website: it "provides a way for IGDA members to support each other and to progress their career. The program allows for mentees to get advice from people in their field and mentors to practice mentorship and build relationships."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://igda.org/resourcelibrary/global-mentorship-program/|title = Global Mentorship Program – IGDA}}</ref>

=== Events ===

* [[Global Game Jam]] – Now managed by the Global Game Jam, Inc.,<ref>{{cite web|title=About Global Game Jam|url=http://globalgamejam.org/about|work=GlobalGameJam.org|access-date=11 September 2013}}</ref> the Global Game Jam is an event that organizes developers, artists and game designers to create games within a 48-hour period.
* IGDA Leadership Forum – Focuses on advancing the state of the art in game production and management and encompasses a broad range of leadership topics relevant to game development.<ref>{{cite web|title=Welcome IGDA Leadership Forum Fans|url=http://www.eventsforgamers.com/events/_/summits/igdalf|work=EventsForGamers.com|access-date=11 September 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130901185957/http://www.eventsforgamers.com/events/_/summits/igdalf|archive-date=1 September 2013}}</ref>

== Controversies ==

In 2009, Timothy Langdell resigned from the IGDA board after a movement to remove him due to his activities in enforcing the trademark name "Edge" used by [[Edge Games]].<ref>{{cite web|date=31 August 2009|first=Owen|last=Good|title=Tim Langell Resigns from IGDA Board|url=https://kotaku.com/tim-langdell-resigns-from-igda-board-updated-5349642|website=kotaku.com|access-date=22 August 2021}}</ref>

During the [[Game Developers Conference|GDC]] 2013 a party was hosted by co-presenters IGDA and the start-up incubator YetiZen. The event featured at least three girls in white outfits dancing, one was in a shorter t-shirt, another in a furry outfit.<ref>{{cite web|title=Really? IGDA Party At GDC Brings On The Female Dancers|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/carolpinchefsky/2013/03/27/really-igda-party-at-gdc-brings-on-the-female-dancers/|work=Forbes|access-date=25 November 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141019210835/http://www.forbes.com/sites/carolpinchefsky/2013/03/27/really-igda-party-at-gdc-brings-on-the-female-dancers/|archive-date=19 October 2014}}</ref> Backlash over the presence of these female dancers resulted in the several people resigning in protest, most notably [[Brenda Romero]] from the IGDA's Women in Games Special Interest Group steering committee.<ref>{{cite web|title=IGDA draws backlash, member resignations over female dancers at GDC party|url=http://www.polygon.com/2013/3/28/4157266/igda-gdc-party-brenda-romero-resignation|work=Polygon.com|date=28 March 2013|access-date=25 November 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141128124346/http://www.polygon.com/2013/3/28/4157266/igda-gdc-party-brenda-romero-resignation|archive-date=28 November 2014}}</ref> On the day following the party IGDA Executive Director Kate Edwards issued an apology stating "We regret that the IGDA was involved in this situation. We do not condone activities that objectify or demean women or any other group of people."<ref>{{cite web|title=IGDA Responds to the GDC Party Faux Pas|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/carolpinchefsky/2013/03/28/igda-responds-to-the-gdc-party-faux-pas/|work=Forbes|access-date=25 November 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140724200912/http://www.forbes.com/sites/carolpinchefsky/2013/03/28/igda-responds-to-the-gdc-party-faux-pas/|archive-date=24 July 2014}}</ref>

On 20 November 2014 the IGDA added a link to "A Twitter tool to block some of the worst offenders in the recent wave of harassment" to their Online Harassment Resources web page.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.igda.org/?page=harassmentresources|title=IGDA Online Harassment Resource|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141120013027/http://www.igda.org/?page=harassmentresources|archive-date=20 November 2014|access-date=25 November 2014}}</ref> However, due to the method of the list's generation several IGDA members including the Chairman of IGDA Puerto Rico [[Roberto Rosario]] were added to the list of harassers.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/siloraptor/status/536044875251474432|title=Roberto Rosario – @siloraptor|access-date=25 November 2014|via=Twitter|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141126031041/https://twitter.com/siloraptor/status/536044875251474432|archive-date=26 November 2014}}</ref>{{Primary source inline|date=August 2022}} These errors resulted in the IGDA removing the link to the tool on 22 November.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/IGDA_ED/status/536193409867079680|title=Kate Edwards (IGDA) – @IGDA_ED|access-date=25 November 2014|via=Twitter|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141126030835/https://twitter.com/IGDA_ED/status/536193409867079680|archive-date=26 November 2014}}</ref>{{Primary source inline|date=August 2022}}{{Portal|Video games}}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

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[[Category:Organizations established in 1994]]
[[Category:Video game organizations]]
[[Category:Game accessibility]]
[[Category:International professional associations]]
[[Category:Video game trade associations]]
[[Category:Professional associations based in the United States]]
[[Category:1994 establishments in the United States]]