In what appears to be a coordinated campaign, the board of directors of GAMA, the game publishers trade association; Ryan Dancey, who recently resigned from the board after revealing that he'd penetrated the previous board's confidential e-mail communications; and GAMA President Don Perrin all released statements on Monday responding to criticism of their actions surrounding Dancey's resignation (see 'GAMA Governance Crisis' and 'GAMA Board Member Resigned in GAMA-Gate Protest'). 

 

Dancey's statement (see 'Ryan Dancey on GAMA Board Resignation') defends his actions as necessary to preserve GAMA.  'I acted out of an extreme sense that immediate, irreparable harm was likely to be caused to GAMA, and that without a way to anticipate and counter those actions, the whole cause could and would have been lost,' he said. 

 

The statement of the GAMA board of directors (see 'GAMA Baord Statement on Dancey Resignation') lists three reasons why it initially refused to accept Dancey's resignation, an action that has brought considerable criticism of the board and which was a primary reason cited by Steve Nicewarner for his resignation from the board in protest.  First, the board wanted Dancey to stay on as a member; second, the board planned to submit the decision to all of the voting members of GAMA to see if they approved; and third, the board was not convinced that Dancey's actions were illegal. 

 

The board's statement acknowledged '...that it made a mistake in at first refusing Mr. Dancey's resignation,' and 'apologizes for making that decision.'

 

The board clearly wants to move on to new business.  'While the board recognizes that Mr. Dancey's actions were wrong and its initial decision was upsetting to the membership,' it said, 'it is time to move forward.' 

 

GAMA President Don Perrin also released some comments on GAMA-gate in the GAMA newsletter, released Monday.  He emphasized GAMA progress in the months since the new board took over, including a revised Website and progress on its re-working of the Origins Awards.  He also addressed the initial board vote to refuse Dancey's resignation.  'It was always viewed as a tentative decision,' he said.  'We, as a board, believe that people should be reprimanded and forgiven for their first offenses, but it was always our intention to ask the FVM's (full voting members of GAMA) to ratify that decision.  When it was obvious that the mood was not conciliatory, Ryan offered his resignation again, and the board accepted it.'

 

It seems unlikely that either the vigorous defense of his actions mounted by Dancey or the more conciliatory explanation and apology of the remaining board members will appease all of the publisher members of GAMA.  But a recall would require a special meeting called by 20 voting members and a 2/3 majority of those attending in order to succeed, and it's unclear whether those who feel most strongly about this issue will be able to muster those numbers.  Certainly this week's Gencon Indy will bring together most of the players in this drama, and all concerned will have the opportunity to communicate on the issues. 

 

Here at ICv2, we hope that the organization itself, which runs the GAMA Trade Show, the largest trade show for retailers in any of our categories; the Origins consumer show; and the Origins Awards; as well as a number of other worthwhile programs, will survive this crisis and be able to continue its work regardless of the outcome of the current governance crisis.  It's probable that many of the member organizations are simply tired of the bickering and wish it would end, while others feel strongly in support of or opposition to the current board.   Regardless of their varying positions, all should realize that the organization's accomplishments still far outweigh any problems it has and that it is worth preserving and nurturing.  It has taken many years to build GAMA's programs to the point they are now; it would take many more to replace them if the organization were to lose the support of a significant percentage of its members.