At a special launch event during the Game Developers Conference sponsored by Intel, market leaders announced The International Future Computing Association (TIFCA) which is built from the merging of the Open Gaming Alliance and the Immersive Technology Alliance. TIFCA’s mission is to lay the groundwork and enhance the viability of building what’s next. TIFCA will do this through several key initiatives including: influential membership meetings, stakeholder education, international market-building events, and special initiatives.
Future computing refers to turning dreams into reality with computer technology and media. This requires a balance of three pillars that include computer processing and peripherals, immersive technology, and innovative content and applications. Goals include finding new uses and audiences for computer horsepower, connecting bleeding edge vendors with revenue generating clients, and giving influential industry players and content makers the tools and skills needed to benefit from present and future innovations.
TIFCA is divided into three specialized groups:
- The Computing Technologists Group (CTG) grows the computer horsepower and peripheral ecosystems and is the backbone of turning big dreams into fruitful realities. CTG is chaired by Frank Soqui, VP and general manager of Virtual Reality for Intel Corp. Activities are geared towards technology makers and OEMs working with PC, cloud, console, and mobile devices. “The evolution of computing and its role in technology innovation requires a strong ecosystem and a vision for the future. Intel has been instrumental in driving nearly 50 years of computing innovation and we look forward to collaborating with TIFCA and our partners to define what’s next,” said Soqui.
- The Immersive Technology Alliance (ITA) enhances the adoption and viability of immersive technologies like virtual reality, augmented reality, mixed reality, stereoscopic 3D, and more. The ITA is chaired by Daryl Sartain, director and worldwide head of VR, AI/ML, Displays, TV & Music Ecosystems at Advanced Micro Devices. Participants include device makers, IP makers, immersive content creators and toolsets, as well as academia. “AMD has been a member of TIFCA’s base for three years. We support them because they give us the data we need to make informed decisions and everything they do is focused on improving the bottom line of their membership,” said Sartain.
- The Alliance of Content Creators (ACC) advances generations of innovative content and applications. The ACC is chaired by Wanda Meloni, CEO of M2 Insights. Types of content that are represented include video games, entertainment, enterprise, education, healthcare, and more. Participants include content creators and content creation toolmakers. “The Open Gaming Alliance has worked with the Immersive Technology Alliance for many years. Having the OGA and ITA join forces to create this new trade organization is extremely exciting given the market opportunities for inspired future computing applications and professionals. It is the natural progression, and the potential has been clear to us for some time, with this bringing it all now full circle,” said Meloni.
“When groups of visionary companies and innovators get together like this, bright technological futures become impending realities. It’s an honor to help build these realities,” said Neil Schneider, executive director of TIFCA. Neil Schneider has served as executive director for The Immersive Technology Alliance since 2009, and is the Founder of the Meant to be Seen community where several leading innovations got their start.
TIFCA membership meetings will begin in April.
