NETWORKING

OUTPUT SESSION NOTES:
Which models are used for new media 'networking' events?
Identify and describe, analyse, categorise: examples in various locations, (eg. Silicon Valley, UK cities.
evaluate: in relation to the industry - what are the benefits, drawbacks etc of these events?
* What recommendations would you make for such a networking event in your local area?

RESEARCH: NETWORKS IN MY FIELD (COMPUTER GAMES)

There is a specialist organisation promoting the interestes of women in games. They have an annual conference.

http://www.tech.port.ac.uk/staffweb/eylesm/wig-website/
Women in Games is an international conference which focuses both on games research and the games industry with particular attention paid to issues relating to women.
Women in Games was established in 2004 and has run four successful conferences with delegates and speakers from around the world. The unique atmosphere of the conference is in part a result of not only featuring peer reviewed academic papers but also giving a voice to women working in the games industry. Although the conference focuses on women, men are also encouraged to participate both as speakers and delegates.
Previous hosts were the University of Portsmouth (2004), University of Abertay Dundee (2005), University of Teesside (2006) and the University of Wales, Newport (2007).
The conference attendance has been between 70 and 100 people. The (2008) conference would be expected to run outside the Americas, who are catered for by our sister organisation Women in Games International.
Women in Games Steering Committee:Mark Eyles, Sheri Graner Ray, Helen Kennedy, Gabbie Kent, Aphra Kerr, Aleks Krotoski, Sandi Kurkdjian, Maggie Parker, Inga Paterson, TL Taylor, Emma Westecott

BLOGS/ONLINE RESOURCES ALSO PROVIDE A NETWORK FOR COMPUTER GAMES DEVELOPERS:

Gamestudies.org - Online academic journal for games studies.
PlasmaFire.org - How science is used in the design and play of games - user published reports and discussion forum.
Ludology.org - Network of Ludologists (one school of thought in computer games).
Gameology.org - Commentary and resources for the games studes community
Buzzcut.com - Critical theory of computer games.

GENERAL
The Media Guardian section on Mondays provides a valuable overview of what is happening in new media.