Wow, not quite the response I was expecting.

This seemed like the appropriate crowd tell this to, in case you haven't seen it before.

From the link:
------------------------------
Zero Punctuation is The Escapist's groundbreaking and award nominated video review series starring Ben "Yahtzee" Croshaw. Every Wednesday Zero Punctuation picks apart the games so you don't have to in an unfiltered style that can only be described as "rapid-fire." Gamers love it, developers fear it and and now it's your turn to create a game and be judged by Yahtzee!

Starting Wednesday, August 5th, 2009, The Escapist will be taking submissions for browser based Zero Punctuation games.

Why? Yahtzee put it best:
   

People have tried to make ZP-based games before. But now they'll have to make them to some kind of actual standards, the poor suckers. Let's hope the entries will be as enjoyable to play as they will be to criticize.

    -YZ

----------------------------

The Prize

    * YOUR game will be judged by Yahtzee
    * YOUR game will be featured in an upcoming Zero Punctuation
    * YOUR game will also be available on the community spotlight under the Community Tab on The Escapist for all to play and enjoy
    * A Zero Punctuation Swag Pack

Contest ends Oct 19th.

The announcement link:
http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/93638-Stonking-Great-Game-Contest-Now-Live

Full details:
http://www.escapistmagazine.com/contests/register/stonkinggreatgame_09

Official Assets:
http://cdn.themis-media.com/media/sites/escapistmagazine/files/zp_game_design_contest_assets.zip

Yeah, I was hoping to host a massive TIGConf/TIGJam, but maybe I'll punt for next year.

Well, now there's additional time to sort out things like venue.  We can start planning for next year, mid summer?

Before I get ahead of myself and try to post stuff regarding TIGConf and expect to get taken seriously, I should introduce myself.  Fortunately, this thread exists for that very purpose. 

My name is Russ.  I live in CA, in the Bay Area.  I've been going to SuperHappyDevhouse for a while, which is how I know progrium.  I've been in the game industry since 2001, and currently am a game designer making cell phone games.

I've been gaming for a long time.  It actually is a major influence on my worldview, but I suspect that it's the same for many of you in this thread (all 169 pages).

My background is a bit of a blender, with a mix of hard sciences, an art degree, and parts of a EECS degree.  I've done QA, Art, Scripting, and minor bits of programming (as much as they'll trust me with.)  I've changed gears every 2 years or so, so I'm waiting until I move into Marketing, at which point, I'll ask someone to kill me. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gDW_Hj2K0wo

Good timing on this.  Jeff (progrium) was hitting me up to organize a TIG type event in case you guys weren't going to throw one.  We had considered one in August, but it is kind of short notice for everyone.  Depending on when in October, I may or may not be able to make it.  So, both are equally good...or bad.

Edit: I suppose that there's a distinction between TIGConf and TIGJam, but I would hate to plan a Conf that collides with you guys.