Hey everyone,
I've got some an agenda change today along with info about upcoming meetings. Also, if you haven't RSVP'd for this week's (3/20/08) meeting, please do so ASAP so we can order enough pizza, etc.
Unfortunately, Nick Landry is unable to join us this week, due to work demands. The good news is that INETA has managed to line up another speaker on very short notice (as of this morning.) The new speaker is Martin Shoemaker and the topic is "Voice-Enable Your Vista Games with MSAPI" and I realize it's not a pure
XNA topic (although he's going to try to work some
XNA samples in) I think it will be an interesting talk.
Also this month is IMGDC, and if you're into MMO development, or just curious, remember that TCXNAUG members get the special $99 rate and last time I talked to Jonathan Stevens, he was still looking for some volunteers to work IMGDC. Drop him a line if you're interested.
We've changed the date of the User Group cookout to the Third Saturday of July. So there won't be a meeting that month, and we'll need to schedule something for June. The good news is that Microsoft has offered to help sponsor the cookout. Thank you Microsoft!!!
2008 UG Calendar
March 20th - INETA Guest Speaker - topic "Voice-Enable Your Vista Games with MSAPI" (Martin Shoemaker)
March 29th & 30th - Indy MMO Game Developers Conference (IMGDC) right here in the Twin Cities.
April 17th - topic TBD ---> SUGGESTIONS PLEASE :)
May 15th - Intro to Shaders -AND- Building Network Games with
XNA 2.0 (Shawn Hargreaves Double Feature)
June 19th - topic TBD --> SUGGESTIONS PLEASE :)
July 19th -
XNA UG Cookout (NOT A THURSDAY)
Spread the word!
Our member base is steadily growing, and we recently broke 55 people on the list. That's not bad for a group that's only 5 months old. I'd like to see it (and our attendance) climb even higher. If you have a friend or coworker that has an interest in XNA or game development, and they don't already know about us... be sure and tell them. Blogging is also encouraged! If you have a blog, please consider linking to our website: www.twincitiesxnausergroup.com
IMGDC in March!
If you're into Massively Multiplayer Online Game Development, you do NOT want to miss IMGDC. It's being put on by Jonathan Stevens right here in the Twin Cities at the end of March (3/29 & 3/30). If you're thinking about attending, don't delay. Jonathan is offering XNA UG members a rate of $139 (it's currently $189) until March 15th. For more information, check out their website at http://www.imgdc.com
April & June Meeting!
We need topic suggestions and/or volunteers for our April & June meetings. Don't be shy.
Other groups in the area...
In addition to our group, there is a local IGDA chapter that meets on the 1st Thursday of each month. If you want more info about them you can visit their website: http://igda.org/wiki/index.php/IGDA_Twin_Cities or talk to our very own Zach Wendt.
If you got this far...
Thanks for reading this! I'll try to contain these to fairly infrequently. I really do want to hear from all of you. Let me know what you like, don't like and want to see more of... and let me know how we're doing.
Thanks,
XNAEvents