While our staff is always happy to answer questions, here are a few that we get asked rather frequently. For organization's sake, we've divided our Frequently Asked Questions into the following categories:
Just click on the links to skip down to that section, or use the scroll bar on the right.
General
What do you mean by social games?
Board games, collectable and tradable card games, tabletop and live-action
roleplaying games, and miniatures games. Sports, gambling, and electronic games
are not included in our mandate.
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Why not electronic games?
While we love electronic games of all kinds, they are not considered to be part of our industry. We focus on games that bring people together in the game room, at the same table, fostering face-to-face social interaction. If you're looking for console or computer games, you might wish to look into the International Game
Developers Association (http://www.igda.org/).
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What does a trade association do?
A trade association is a public relations organization founded and funded by corporations that operate in a specific industry. Its purpose is generally to promote the industry through activities such as advertising, education, lobbying and publishing.
Associations may offer other services, such as producing a trade show for the industry, networking, charitable events, promoting industry standards, offering classes and certifications, and producing educational materials. Many associations are non-profit organizations governed by bylaws and directed by officers who are also members.
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Is GAMA a non-profit? Does GAMA pay taxes?
We are a registered 501(c)(6) non-profit organization with the US Internal Revenue Service. Organizations under this category are exempt from most federal income taxes.
Donations to a 501(c)(6) are not tax deductible as charitable contributions, as is the case in the 501(c)(3) category. Donations to 501(c)(6) organizations are not required to be disclosed.
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How many game stores are there in the US? Worldwide?
There are about 2,500 stores in the US that make their income mostly from
games. There are some 2,000 more stores that carry enough games to be of
increased interest to game publishers--though they tend to sell board games and
collectable card games.
There are approximately an additional 2,500 game stores world-wide, with concentrations
in England, Germany, Korea, and Japan.
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How many games are sold in the US each year? Worldwide?
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How many game companies are there? How many games?
While this number changes quarterly, the Greater Games Industry Catalog team notes 42,000 products from 678 publishers and manufacturers as of July 2008.
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Membership
What types of membership are there?
When you join GAMA, you must join in the category that is appropriate for your business. The types of GAMA Membership:
A. Publishing/Manufacturing Member (PMM): This class shall
consist of companies that are (1) principally engaged in the manufacture or
publication of hobby game products or services, or (2) publish a magazine or
other periodical relating to hobby games or the hobby game industry.
B. Retailer Member: This class
shall consist of companies that are principally engaged in the commercial
retail sale of hobby game products.
C. Wholesale Member: This class
shall consist of companies that are principally engaged in the wholesale
distribution of hobby game products.
D.
Communicating Member: Anyone
not eligible for membership in one of the foregoing categories who is
interested in furthering the purpose of this Association is eligible to be a
Communicating Member of this Association.
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What does membership cost?
Publisher/Manufacturing Membership - $300
Retailer Member - $125
Wholesale Member – $300
Communicating Member - $50
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When is my membership renewal?
Membership renews in January, and payment of your annual membership dues is due on January 2. Late renewals will cause a lapse in your membership and benefits.
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If I sign up later in the year, is my membership pro-rated?
GAMA memberships are based on a calendar year – January 1st to December 31st. Paying your dues later in the year does not pro-rate the membership fee. You still have access to all of the programs and benefits offered to members of GAMA and you can recoup the cost of membership by utilizing the programs available to members.
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How do I sign up for membership?
There is a membership form at Join GAMA. Our mailing address and fax number are given on the form. Please include payment information with your form, as your membership cannot be processed without payment.
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I’m a “________”. Do I qualify as a member?
If you don’t fit neatly into one of the other membership categories, you can still become a Communicating Member. Please see Join GAMA for more information and for the membership form.
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What are the benefits of being a member?
GAMA has dozens of programs, large and small, specific and general, that are helpful to anyone engaged in the business of selling games. To learn more about those programs, see Programs & Benefits.
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I think I’m already a member. How do I check on that?
Please contact GAMA's Membership Director (ops@gama.org) with questions about existing memberships.
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Looking For
I'm looking for a list of all game companies.
You want
the Greater Games Industry Catalog. It’s available for $19.95 from R&R
Publishing. Contact Managing Editor Richard Martin Leep at ggicproduction@comcast.net
for your copy.
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I’m looking for a list of all game retailers (nationally, in my area, etc).
GAMA maintains a list of game retailers. It’s updated from our distributers, and cleaned constantly by a calling campaign. It is available for free to all GAMA members. For information on membership, please see our website: http://www.gama.org/join.
If you are already a member, please contact GAMA's Membership Director (ops@gama.org)
for more information or to receive the list.
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I’m looking for a list of game component suppliers.
We do have a list of suppliers on our website, but it’s only available to members. If you are already a member and cannot see the list of suppliers, please contact GAMA's Membership Director (ops@gama.org).
You must be signed in to view the list.
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I’m looking for a list of distributors.
We do have a list of distributors on our website,
but it’s only available to members. If you are already a member and
cannot see the list of suppliers, please contact GAMA's Membership Director (ops@gama.org).
You must be signed in to view the list.
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I’m looking for a list of game conventions.
We’ve partnered with GameConventions.net (http://www.gameconventions.net) for this
service. The site is free to use, for both members and non-members. They suffered a severe spam attack recently, and are in the midst of rebuilding their 2008 listings. If you know of a convention that isn't on their list, please help out and submit it. Thanks!
The Game Conventions feature is a Proxied web site from GameConventions.net, and so isn't covered under the GAMA Privacy Policy 1.2.
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Retailers
How do I get on the GAMA Retailer list?
Just email gamainfo@gama.org with your store information, and we’ll add you to the list.
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Inventors
Can you take a look at my new game?
While GAMA does not formally review games, we’re always happy to give you the benefit of our staff’s experience. We do not accept mailed-in review copies, but we will accept review meetings in our offices in Columbus, OH or as time allows when we’re out at a show.
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How do I get my three-letter Standard Manufacturer Code? What is that code used for?
Standard Manufacturer Codes are issued as a free service from the Greater Games Industry Catalog. They are used industry-wide to eliminate confusion and duplication in product codes. Please contact Richard Martin Leep at ggicproduction@comcast.net
to acquire a unique three-letter code for your company.
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I've invented a game. Now what?
We have a very good article located at the buttom of this page about what to do next. Please give it a read.
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