The programmers have GNO Code, the Social Media gurus have SMCNO, but the local gamers and game developers now have a group to call their own: IGDA-NOLA.  The International Game Developers Association is the largest non-profit that services people who create video games.  Their mission is to advance the careers of individuals within the gaming industry, promote professional development, and advocate for the developer community. The association has 77 chapters all around the world and a New Orleans chapter has sprung up to service the gaming community in the south.

Kevin O'Gorman

Kevin O’Gorman is the organizer for the New Orleans chapter and has deep roots in the game industry.  He co-founded the Georgia Game Developers Association, served on IGDA advisory boards in Dallas and Atlanta, and teachers Game Art & Design at the Art Institute of Atlanta. Mr. O’Gorman says he wants to support local developers and serve as a hub for people interested in game development.

The group meets on the 3^rd Thursday of every month.  There next meeting will be on November 18^th starting at 6PM.  Their first meeting took place on October 21^st and was a huge success.  “We had about 40 people show up to the meeting and it was a mix of lawyers, game developers, 3D artists, game testers, and sound engineers” said Mr. O’Gorman.  There are also sister groups that have been established in Baton Rouge and Lafayette to boaster even more support for game developers.

These gaming groups are seen as a big plus for the state of Louisiana because officials are trying to promote more video game company and developers to setup shop in the south. “The state is in a place where they want to attract these types of companies with the digital media tax credits and these local chapters around the state will give more incentive to this cause” said Mr. O’Gorman.

Jeff Pellegrin, Executive Director for Louisiana Digital Gaming Initiative, see these groups as a catalyst to pull in the different parts that are needed for the gaming industry to take Louisiana serious.  "Once you have the meeting of the minds between individuals it can proposer new growth.  They can build teams, developers can meet with CPA's and attorneys, and also the venture capitalist who might want to invest in their projects." said Mr. Pellegrin.  He also pointed out that the gaming industry is not all about the games you buy off the shelf for your computer or console but it has practical applications in other industries too.  "There is alot of opportunity for video game companies and developers to create things for bio tech modeling, military, and aerospace applications in the south" said Mr. Pellegrin.

For more information about the group be sure to check out our Tech Groups page and we’ll be listing meeting dates on our calendar.