Since it’s already mid-March and I’m only now getting around to sharing our monthly newsletter with you, I’m going to keep this introduction short and sweet. Many of you may be working towards showing your game(s) at our upcoming Sacramento Indie Arcade. While other local developers have had some major announcements in the last few weeks that extend beyond our local region! Before I get on with March’s events, I’d like to share a moment I experienced this past weekend at Rockage in Downtown San Jose.

I was sitting at the bar in a gamer lounge when I struck up a conversation with a game developer from San Francisco who was in town for the video game music event. We chatted a bit about GDC and then I mentioned the Sacramento Indie Arcade taking place in our neck of the woods. The gentleman was flabbergasted to hear that we even had something like that happening anywhere outside of their valley.

I share this with you because although our community is small, your consistent efforts and drive are beginning to show elsewhere. Do not be discouraged. We are growing together and are committed to helping create sustainable businesses here in Sacramento.

With that said, let’s get on with the events!

IGDA’s Annual Networking Event @ Children’s Creativity Museum (GDC/SF)
Date: Tuesday, March 15th; 6pm to 9pm
Location: Children’s Creativity Museum
Meetup Info: Join the IGDA for its annual GDC Networking Event. Sponsored by G2A, Hub International, Amazon Web Services and more.
Event Link: http://www.meetup.com/gamedeveloper/events/229507502/

IGDA Mentor Café @ Amazon Loft (GDC/SF)
Date: Thursday, March 17th; 6pm to 8pm
Location: Amazon Loft
Meetup Info: The IGDA is pleased to announce a new initiative at GDC this year – the IGDA Mentor Café! Industry experts will share their valuable knowledge, skills, and advice, and give back to the community, with a focus on helping independent developers. Interested in being mentored? Fill in this form
(http://bit.ly/IGDA-GDC16-Mentee).
Event Link: http://www.meetup.com/gamedeveloper/events/229507329/

Escape Sacramento Presents: Board Game Make-A-Thon @ Hacker Lab Sacramento
Date: Sunday, March 20th; 10am to 7pm
Location: Hacker Lab Sacramento
Meetup Info: Calling all makers, artists, game designers, and board game enthusiasts: The Escape Sacramento team is excited to announce the First Annual Sacramento Board Game Make-a-Thon, to be held at Hacker Lab on Sunday, March 20 from 10am-7pm. Admission is $10 (which covers the cost of breakfast, materials, and staffing), and the event is limited to 60 participants. Prizes will be awarded to the top 3 teams.
Event Link: http://www.meetup.com/gamedeveloper/events/229426930/

Progressive Game Jam #9 (2015-2016) @ Cafe Colonial
Date: Saturday, March 26th; 11am to 5pm
Location: Café Colonial
Meetup Info: This is it folks! You've worked on your game idea up to this point, THE FINAL STRETCH! WOOOOT!
Event Link: http://www.meetup.com/gamedeveloper/events/227887160/

Mingle, Brunch and Games! @ Coin-Op Sacramento
Date: Sunday, March 27th; 2pm to 4pm
Location: Coin-Op Sacramento on K Street
Meetup Info: This time we're doing something a bit different! For this Meetup, we invite you to brunch, beer and free game play at Coin-Op in Downtown Sacramento.
Event Link: http://www.meetup.com/gamedeveloper/events/229507231/

***Special Announcements***

• If you’re planning to attend GDC this week, we have added a few IGDA special interest group events to our meetup calendar.

• The 2016 Sacramento Indie Arcade is less than a month away! Since our last newsletter, we have added more industry speakers to the line-up. Save $5 off your ticket when you purchase on Eventbrite.

• *Game Submission Deadline is March 28th. If you're making a game, either digital or analog, that you want to show at the Sacramento Indie Arcade, which is at minimum in a playable demo status, please sign up here!*

• Do you play games? Great! Do you want to help kids at the UC Davis Children's Hospital simply by playing games? Awesome! Consider joining our Extra Life team! www.extra-life.org/team/SacIndieArcade

• Featured Indie Game Developer: Some of you may know Brian Bullard. He is a virtual reality developer, the host of podvr.com podcast, and co-founder of the Sacramento Virtual Reality Meetup. His studio just released a sci-fi shooter called Turret Attack for the Samsung Gear. Get more info on the launch here.

Our goal is to provide quality events that will help each of you thrive. Although there is no cost to be a part of our Meetup group (EVER!), there are benefits for professionals and students to become members of IGDA. Read more here: https://www.igda.org/?page=benefits. Did you know a portion of member dues are invested back to local chapters? Should you choose to become an official IGDA member, this will help us continue to host quality and diverse game development events.

As always, we want to know what YOU want to see in an upcoming IGDA Sacramento event! Let us know which past sessions you've liked, what you didn’t, what you want to learn and what events you’d like to see happen!

GAME ON, SACRAMENTO!

Cheers,
-IGDA Sacramento Board
Gabriel G. - Chairman, gabriel AT igdasacramento DOT org
Briana Aea - Vice Chair

P.S. Don't forget to check us out, follow, like and spread the Sacramento Game Dev love with our links below!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sacdevcollective/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/SacDevCreatives

Youtube: Sacramento Developer Collective Playlist

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SacramentoGameDevelopers/

Extra Life: www.extra-life.com/team/SacIndieArcade