I'm very glad to see that a collective such as this exists, especially with the way that the video game industry is booming today.
Many game developers, publishers, and expos have a face, and more importantly, a voice that goes with that face. Atari now has Phil Harrison, formerly of Sony, the big guy for Epic Games has been CliffyB (as the fans call him) Reggie Fils-Aime is a representative for Nintendo of America, and when gamers talk about video game related issues, such as DLC and certain design decisions, the "blame" falls on that voice, and it becomes (almost) expected that that individual would respond to the fans. I, personally, would love to have this job.
No company thus far has really achieved a good consumer contact, someone to answer the fans' burning questions, and I think that's because the business world isn't used to how the gaming world works. There aren't too many other industries where all-out fanboy wars erupt on a daily basis.
I feel that game design is much more accessible now than it has ever been in the past, and that it would be a great industry for Northeast Ohio to get a corner on.
But I have never heard of this video game initiative until I really started digging for something like it, and that's a shame. There is a lot of talent in northeast Ohio, but most of us kids think that we have to move to California or Florida to even get started.
I'd really like to understand the scope of this movement, as far as progress, what obstacles we're facing, and what we might be able to get the public to help with. I'll bookmark the site and keep track of it for awhile. My email address is "SquallLionheartK@yahoo.com" (this email forwards to my blackberry, that's why I use it) and I'd really like to play my part as an Ohioan in getting this ball rolling.