IGDA NYC Game Dev Digest – July 2024

In this issue:

What's on | Highlights of upcoming events.

Chapter Events | Meetups, talks, and other events we're hosting.

#NYMakesGames News | Game launches and other updates from local creators.

Around Town | A community calendar of events from across the city.

Jobs & Opportunities | The latest posts from our notice boards.

IGDA Resources | Discounts and other benefits for IGDA members.

Chapter Resources | Where to go for more info.

What's On This Month

Play NYC will be at Anime NYC Aug 23rd to 25th! Now taking advantage of an 80,000 sq ft gaming hall, longer hall hours, more press, access to the main hall and panels, and 188% more foot traffic than past Play NYC's. See below for info on exhibitor, press and attendee badges:

• Sign up to exhibit at Play NYC (Don't forget to include your game in the Steam Event)

• Attendee Badges allow access to all Anime NYC halls and of course, Play NYC!

• Apply as Press

• Power packed sessions across four themes: Equity & Access, Impact & Innovation, Culture & Authenticity, and Advocacy & Allyship.
• An Indie Studio Expo featuring minority-led studios, showcasing their new and upcoming projects.
• Top tier networking with specific intention to lead the recently laid off to new opportunities.

• July 25th
• August 8th
• August 22nd

On The Horizon

• The Game Devs of Color Expo is happening virtually September 18th-21st! The expo is also accepting applications for the GDoCExpo Steam Sale until August 2nd! Submit your game here

• This September, Pictoplasma - the leading character design conference from Berlin - returns to New York for its tenth anniversary US edition.

So, how are we changing it?

Instead of posting about it on the website, we're looking to STREAM the games on our YouTube and Twitch channels, along with giveaways and additional social media promotion. So for those of you interested in participating, check out next week's Member Only Insider!

We're on the search for content creators to help us stream these games! This is a volunteer position, and individuals only need to commit to a one (1) year term. They would need to stream once per month on IGDA's Twitch Channel and/or YouTube, and would be provided game keys and overlay assets. We won't be selecting based on numbers or follower count - it's the vibes and alignment with IGDA's brand and values that matter most! If you have any other questions, send us an email!

To qualify for the opportunity:

• The game must have generated at least $10,000 per month over the last 6 months; and
• The team must consist of underrepresented developers (e.g., diversity across race, gender, sexuality, disability, or other factors).

You may apply for this opportunity here. We simply need a few details about your game, your team, and your capacity to finish the port by the end of the year.

It would be great to support games from the IGDA community, so please consider applying today!

Monday Afternoon Co-Working on Discord

IGDA NYC Discord

Every Monday, 1pm - 4pm

Come join us at our new regular co-working hours on our Discord channel!

We'll be working camera optional/mic off on the Events Voice Channel. But our new Lounge Channel will be right next door for anyone who wants to show off what they're working on, ask some questions, or just hang out.

Taco Tuesday with Coexist!

*RSVP Required*
Coexist Gamehouse

Tue, July 23rd @ 6:00pm

Join us at the Coexist Gamehouse for a casual social with Tacos, games, drinks and music!

RSVP required for free entry!

Share your NY game news here or tweet #NYMakesGames.
Section Editor: Mattia Sicuro

Making Waves

• The Game Devs of Color Expo is still accepting applications for the GDoCExpo Steam Sale until August 2nd! Submit your game here!

• This year's Game Devs of Color Expo will feature panels surrounding marketing, non violent communication cannon fodder, indigenous futurism and more! Learn more about this years speaker lineup.

• Submit your game for consideration for the Wondercab arcade cabinet at Wonderville! This is for the 3 month Wondercab residency that will begin on September 1st, submissions will close on July 31st.

• The latest Playing With Purpose Podcast, hosted by the NY Video Game Critics Circle with MegaRan is available now wherever you listen!

• Check out Jay Powell & Anya Combs go through the history of crowdfunding and where it currently stands in their recent Indie Game Business Podcast!

Crowdfund

• Cardinal Cards - A logic-based solitaire card game featuring a deck of beautifully designed playing cards.

• Tournament Arc - Duke it out and collaboratively build a story with friends in this comedic, sports anime-inspired party card game!

Pre-Order/Wishlist

• The Crush House by Nerial - Select a crush-worthy cast, satisfy voracious audiences and keep the show on air to uncover the sinister secrets behind this darkly comic thirst-person shooter.

• Stolen Hearts: Wolf Knight by Mr. Moo is an action precision platformer where you dash through challenging obstacles take powers from enemies discover hidden secrets and collect fireflies for character customization.

• Murder at the Birch Tree Theater by Crucible Juice Games - Gather clues by investigating the sets, casts and backstage crews of 10 theatrical productions, and piece together the story of each deadly crime.

• Inkression by BROKENCIGS - Play a troubled tattoo artist tasked with capturing the remnants of her nearly-demolished neighborhood through her art.

Ongoing Initiatives

• Applications to join GUMBO are open! GUMBO is a non-profit collective of indie game creators located in Dumbo, Brooklyn formed to inspire and motivate each other, stay current in the indie game makers community, and expand an already amazing skill-sharing network.

• In support of Wonderville, consider becoming a member on WithFriends to help to keep the arcades working and pay for parts and maintenance!

• ANNY Exchange is a Talent Connect Initiative for Animation Nights New York. Want to participate and be added to the database of Animation Talent from all around the world? More info here

• Animation Nights New York (ANNY) is always accepting submissions for Animated Short Films, AR Animation Experiences, VR animation Experiences, and Interactive Media (including Video Games). More info here

• Coexist Gaming is a subscription-based gaming lifestyle company that provides an inclusive ecosystem for community, culture, connection and opportunity. Including a gaming lounge, optimized networking experiences and accessible resources for Devs, find out more and become a member here!

• Support the Game Devs of Color Expo's mission to uplift marginalized voices in game development by signing up for their monthly Ko-fi subscription! Your support ensures ongoing grants, events, and community programs.

• Support GUMBO on Patreon for exclusive digital content, free event access, and more!

• The New York State Digital Game Development Program is designed to accelerate and attract economic development by offsetting some production costs associated with producing digital games in New York State.

• Urban Arts teaches digital game design as a pathway to college and career by offering after-school programs, career prep, school partnerships and more. Learn about their various programs for students and teachers here!

Unless otherwise noted, events are (probably!) free to attend. Follow @GameDevNYC for event alerts. Contact [email protected] to add your org's events.

Tuesday, July 16th

Animation Nights New York at the Gutter Spare Room - Animation Nights New York is a monthly screening event and annual festival showcasing the very best animated short films, virtual reality animation experiences, and interactive games from all around the world.

Wednesday, July 17th

Building and Using VR in Education - A meetup to connect educators and others in the VR space!

Long Island Game Dev Virtual Meetup - Network with other Game Devs based in and around Long Island!

Thursday, July 18th

Monthly Thursdays Hosted by Zack Wheeler with Hacker Hours - Free office hours for coding help-any programming language, all levels of experience.

GUMBO Board Game/Tabletop Playtest Night - Come meet some board game designers, play some unreleased games, and maybe even make some new friends!

WordHack feat. Nicole He, Sam Lavigne & Tega Brain and the Open Projector - WordHack is a monthly evening of performances and talks exploring the intersection of language and technology.

Saturday, July 20th

Build a Board Game in Under 2 Hours - Learn the art of rapid prototyping and hone your game design skills with the workshop group!

Bumpy Grumpy Arcade Tournament at Wonderville - It's a high score tournament for everyone's favorite lost 80s arcade game: Bumpy Grumpy! Play for the high score, meet new friends, and trade tips on driving like a maniac.

Sunday, July 21st

Animation Nights New York Virtual Events - Watch a curated program of animated short films from all around the world!

Saison Zero at Wonderville - Saison Zero is a monthly tabletop role play game meetup dedicated to introducing folks to games other than just D&D. Light on rules, rich in flavor. This month with open tables for AGON and Sleepaway.

Tuesday, July 23rd

Ask Unity: A Chat with Mike Geig, head of Advocacy - Mike has been at the forefront of bridging connections between Unity and Dev communities, and he has been gracious enough to open up the night to having a conversation directly. So feel free to come with technical questions!

Thursday, July 25th

NYU Game Center Summer Playtest Thursday -If you're making a game, you need to playtest! Bring your work-in-progress game and get feedback from fellow game makers!

NYC Indie Dev Night with Playcrafting - Indie devs, gamers, publishers, industry vets and students - this is the place to come meet others in the community, network and talk shop - and check out what games NYC is cookin' up!

Brooklyn Experimental Electronic Music April Showcase - Join the local electronic music community for our showcase featuring an eclectic mix of New York City artists working in a variety of styles.

Tuesday, July 30th

Network and Arcade Playtest Night with Unity NYC - A networking focused event where you playtest game from the community!

Wonderville's last Tuesday of the month PLAYTEST - Come to Wonderville to playtest in production games! If you're a developer, bring your game! No signups required.

Saturday, August 3rd

Black Girl Gamers 2024 Online Summit - The BGG summit connects the community and industry together with panels, an indie expo, networking and more!

Wednesday, August 7th

NYC Indie Games Social - The NYC Indie Games social is a monthly gathering for indie game devs of all stripes to mix and mingle in a casual, relaxed setting.

Thursday, August 8th

NYU Game Center Summer Playtest Thursday -If you're making a game, you need to playtest! Bring your work-in-progress game and get feedback from fellow game makers!

Saturday, August 17th

Build a Board Game in Under 2 Hours - Learn the art of rapid prototyping and hone your game design skills with the workshop group!

Wednesday, August 21st

Save the Games: A Digital Preservation Symposium - This symposium held at The Strong, in Rochester, New York, is meant to advance the field of video game preservation with information sessions, networking opportunities, and tours of museum collections.

Building and Using VR in Education - A meetup to connect educators and others in the VR space!

Long Island Game Dev Virtual Meetup - Network with other Game Devs based in and around Long Island!

Thursday, August 22nd

NYC Indie Dev Night with Playcrafting - Indie devs, gamers, publishers, industry vets and students - this is the place to come meet others in the community, network and talk shop - and check out what games NYC is cookin' up!

NYU Game Center Summer Playtest Thursday -If you're making a game, you need to playtest! Bring your work-in-progress game and get feedback from fellow game makers!

NYC Indie Dev Night with Playcrafting - Indie devs, gamers, publishers, industry vets and students - this is the place to come meet others in the community, network and talk shop - and check out what games NYC is cookin' up!

Friday, August 23rd

Play NYC @ Anime NYC - New York City's premiere game convention is back in its 9th year! This year teaming up with Anime NYC to offer over 80,000 sq ft of playable games from studios large and small.

View or submit a listing for free.

Jobs

• Lead Game Designer, NYT Games

• Editor in Chief, Kotaku

• Part-Time Faculty, Games and Emerging Media at Marist

• Assistant Professor, Game Programming at SUNY Morrisville

• Project Manager, Digital Game Development at Empire State Development

• Senior/Mid Environment Art, Tech Art and Design Roles at Roar Games

• Email Marketing Manager at Rockstar

• Assistant Arts Professor at NYU

Exhibit/Speak/Publish

• Submissions for Super FESTival in Toronto are open! Including for Illustrators, Game Showcases, Panels, Workshops and Alt Control Submissions! And if you missed last year's Super FESTival? Don't worry, you can check it out here!

• Registration is open for the Indie Game Business Conference, as well as submissions for speakers!

• BXStart is a platform dedicated to fostering the intersection of game development and entrepreneurship in the Bronx community. Sign up to showcase your game at their Indie Game Night held every third Friday of the month! Apply here

Volunteer

• If you're interested in helping make Black In Gaming a supportive and inclusive community for black game creators to thrive, consider joining the Community Team to help drive online engagement and initiatives!

Funding/Programs/Contests

• The t*gh GameChangeHERs // Women's Innovation Hub seeks not just to fund and support women-led gaming ventures but also to foster a community that champions diversity, innovation, and success in the gaming industry. By providing targeted resources and opportunities, the program aims to empower women entrepreneurs to turn their visions into thriving businesses that contribute to the richness and diversity of the gaming world.

• Games for Change partnered with Google Play to develop the Diverse Voices, New Stories Challenge. Now in its third year, the newest of the program will not only focus on elevating underrepresented creators and content, but will also support the porting of games from various platforms to Android. Three winners will each be awarded a $15,000 cash prize, guidance to port their existing games to Android - and marketing opportunities through Games for Change and their global network. [Deadline September 6th]

Benefits for IGDA members.

Join here. Log in for all member discount codes and details.

• Event discounts: IGDA Members save 10% on tickets to GI Live: Online - visit the Discounts page for details!

• Education discounts: 10% off all General Assembly classes and workshops. Browse NYC classes.

• Software discounts: 20% off Buildbox. Details.

• IGDA Career Center: Job listings open to all; early access for members. Careers.igda.org

• IGDA Crowdfunding Collection: Member projects featured on Kickstarter. Submit.

Follow us for updates:

• @IGDANYC on Twitter
• Facebook page

Connect with the community:

• Discord server
• Facebook group
• Meetup group
• LinkedIn group

Visit our Jobs and Opportunities board to view or post listings for free.

Want to help us do things?

Learn about volunteering with the chapter.

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