GAMA, the Game Manufacturers Association, is in the midst of a dispute about the bylaws of the organization.  Currently retailers pay $50 in dues and are able to elect one member to the board of directors.  A recent move to change the bylaws to allow more retailer participation was narrowly rejected.  In a message to GAMA members, President Rick Loomis (see 'GAMA President Comments on Membership Flap promised to give the change in bylaws 'one more chance,' which means that there should be another vote before the end of the year.

 

GAMA is an effective industry organization that does a superb job of managing the largest trade show for pop culture retailers (GAMA), and has just taken on the management of Origins as well.  In addition, GAMA supports the efforts of Michael Stackpole, who has done an excellent job of defending adventure games from media attacks.

 

Some observers might find it surprising that GAMA is an industry organization that includes manufacturers, distributors, and retailers.  In many industries each of these tiers would have its own organization, since their interests are not always aligned; but GAMA, as currently constituted, has worked very well for the adventure game industry, and the betting here is that they will find a way to iron out these differences as well.