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Posts Tagged ‘IGDAM’

Rundown on Melbourne Global Game Jam from Mnemonic and Tuesday

14 Jan

Joel from Mnemonic Audio (http://www NULL.mnemonicaudio NULL.com/) has done an amazing job of distilling our ramble about the upcoming Global Game Jam at this week’s meet up.  If you’re looking for some can do sound help, talk to them because this podcast makes more sense than we did on the night!  50 minutes down to nine…and all of it highly relevant if you’re jamming in Melbourne this year…..enjoy! (and yes, I wish my voice were more suited to radio too, but Craig’s pretty dulcet)

IGDA 10Jan12 128 <————————– clickety, click, click!

 
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Happy New Year! January IGDAM plans

01 Jan

 

Welcome to 2012 – at IGDAM Central we’re starting with a bang and a jam.

Our first meetup for the year will be pre-jam at 1000 Pound Bend and will include info about game jam as well as a chance to catch up, so if you’re not planning to jam you’re still more than welcome.

When: Tuesday 10 January 6:30-10:00 pm

Where: 1000 Pound Bend, 361 Little Lonsdale St, Melbourne

The facebook event (https://www NULL.facebook NULL.com/events/257533087647276/) is already up and running.

And then….we jam.

Thanks to our wonderful sponsors La Trobe University (http://latrobe NULL.edu NULL.au), Microsoft Australia (http://www NULL.imaginecup NULL.com/), AIE (http://www NULL.aie NULL.edu NULL.au), Immersive Technologies (http://www NULL.immersivetechnologies NULL.com/), Tin Man Games (http://tinmangames NULL.com NULL.au/blog/), The Voxel Agents (http://www NULL.thevoxelagents NULL.com/), League of Geeks (http://www NULL.leagueofgeeks NULL.com/), EA Australia (http://www NULL.ea NULL.com/au) and The Sound Library (http://www NULL.stephanschutze NULL.com/) we will be part of the Global Game Jam on 27-29 January.  The first round of invitations to jam have been sent, and depending on responses and places available there will be another round in the coming week.

We’ve had an overwhelming response, with 150 registrations.  Unfortunately we can only accommodate 100 people, so if you are keen be sure to secure your spot as soon as possible.  Queries can be directed to giselle@igdamelbourne.org.

Apologies for the somewhat convoluted registration process, we’ll work on streamlining it and appreciate your patience and ability to fill out forms!

I’m sure there’s more to be said, but it’s New Year’s Day, not a day to tax the grey matter, so let’s say it on January 10th.

Hope to see you soon!

 

 
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Posted in Events, Game Jam

 

Local Indies represent at #igdamjam

19 Dec

The Melbourne Global Game Jam, running at La Trobe University Bundoora 27-29 January 2012, is stoked to have the support of  The Voxel Agents (http://thevoxelagents NULL.com) and Tin Man Games (http://tinmangames NULL.com NULL.au/blog/).

Tin Man Games, the creators of the compelling Gamebook Adventures series (http://gamebookadventures NULL.com/) are stalwarts for the IGDAM community. Neil’s no holds barred expose on the business life and financials of being indie was a memorable evening for it’s candour, humour and stark reality of indie dev life.

Ben Britten, Technical Director of Tin Man Games is a regular at IGDAM events.  ”The Melbourne indie-dev community has always been incredibly supportive of Tin Man Games.  Even though we are still small we feel like it is important to make sure we try to give back whenever we can.

“Also, game jams are awesome.”  Added Ben.

The Voxel Agents have recently ported their hit game Train Conductor 2

to Android, with a lot of bug testing QA supported by the IGDAM community and are continuing their involvement in game jams. Agent Tom Killen was part of the winning team at the Fabulous 48 Hour in Brisbane earlier in the year, heading up there especially for the jam.  Never one to miss a jamming opportunity, Agent Tom will be getting his jam on come Australia Day weekend.

Registrations of interest in jamming close on New Year’s Eve and it’s looking to be a great jam, with an exciting range or skills and experience signing up.  If you’re keen, and you haven’t already REGISTER INTEREST HERE.  Once you’ve done that we’ll be in touch by email with just a few more questions.  Jammers will be notified at the start of January once the head’s cleared from celebrations.

Have a safe and happy Christmas and New Year, bring on 2012, it’s exciting!

 
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Posted in Game Jam, Other

 

Jamming in January: Global Game Jam returns to Melbourne

15 Dec

Melbourne game makers are preparing to show the world the talent we have here down under by locking themselves up for 48 hours and rapidly prototyping some game designs to share their great ideas with the world. More than 80 game developers are expected to jam at La Trobe University in Bundoora on the Australia Day weekend to be part of this global event.

The IGDA Global Game Jam is an annual international game development weekend.  The 2012 Global Game Jam runs 27-29 January and starts at 5pm in each time zone.  More locally there could be as many as ten public jam sites in Australia and New Zealand, including Sydney and Wellington and Wollongong.  Game Developers of varying skill levels get together for 48 hours and make a game from start to finish. The focus is on having fun, being creative, and improving their ability to make the games that everyone loves.

At the time of writing 47 locations & 1204 jammers registered worldwide for Global Game Jam 2012.  In 2011 over 1500 games were made in 174 locations spanning 44 countries in a truly global event.

Game Developers of varying skill levels get together for 48 hours and make a game from start to finish. The focus is on having fun, being creative, and improving our ability to make the games that everyone loves.

Registrations of interest are being accepted for the Melbourne Global Game Jam hosted by IGDAM and La Trobe University, until the end of 2011 at http://igdamelbourne.org/2011/12/game-jam-returns-january-27-19-2012-thanks-to/ so if you make games and love a challenge in a fun and supportive environment you can register as a team or individual.

Giselle Rosman, Coordinator of IGDAM says “The game jam is a weekend of crazy, creative, sleep deprived games development.  I’d encourage novices and studio veterans alike to get their jam on.   Thanks to La Trobe University (http://www NULL.latrobe NULL.edu NULL.au/), AIE (http://www NULL.aie NULL.edu NULL.au/)and Immersive Technologies (http://www NULL.immersivetechnologies NULL.com/) we will be doing it all again from 27th to the 29th January 2012. We had a lot to learn in our first year so I’m looking forward to the amazing displays of team work, creativity and sheer guts and determination involved in the experience that is Jamming.”

What happened at last year’s Melbourne Jam?

At Melbourne’s inaugural Global Game Jam, all 73 participants were guests of La Trobe University. It was a magnificent turnout, one of the largest in the world which just goes to show the depth of talent and creative flair and enthusiasm that we have available here in Melbourne. Participants formed into teams on the first day and came up with a large number of creative game ideas. Each team created their concept and worked through the night rapidly creating playable versions of their games.

For the first time ever, Melbourne participated in the Global Game Jam in January of this year. 18 games were made by 73 participants, including “Ultra Happy Death Virus” which was voted by the panel of industry experts to be the best game made at that jam. UHDV can be played on the WinnitronAu at the Mana Bar in Melbourne and  other prototypes created over a creatively gruelling two days have been also been developed further.

Global Game Jam announces a theme and constraints and each team creates a game from start to finish in just a weekend.  Some jammers come in teams, and other teams are formed at the jam.  It is a great opportunity for game makers to expand their skills, meet likeminded developers, and have a fun time. Designers, artists, and coders are all welcome!

Want to know more? Here’s a bit more background for you

Here is some more background information:

http://pc.mmgn.com/Articles/Global-Game-Jam-Melbourne-Repo (http://pc NULL.mmgn NULL.com/Articles/Global-Game-Jam-Melbourne-Repo)

http://www.smh.com.au/digital-life/games/blogs/screenplay/melbourne-game-makers-get-jammin-20110127-1a65b.html (http://www NULL.smh NULL.com NULL.au/digital-life/games/blogs/screenplay/melbourne-game-makers-get-jammin-20110127-1a65b NULL.html)

http://palgn.com.au/18063/igda-global-game-jam-melbourne-winners-announced/ (http://palgn NULL.com NULL.au/18063/igda-global-game-jam-melbourne-winners-announced/)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_Game_Jam (http://en NULL.wikipedia NULL.org/wiki/Global_Game_Jam)

 
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There was Igdamas, ice cream, ninjas and congas!

12 Dec

The weather held off there was a bit of clapping, a smattering of cricket, a lot of ninjas,  a heap of delicious food,  plenty of drinks and a Surprise Attack (http://surpriseattack NULL.com NULL.au/) of Ice Cream.  As Mitch put it, The Ice Cream van that offers free ice cream: whatever you want! Exists only in dreams, cartoons, movie plots involving child baiting and IGDAMAS Parties!

Thanks to everyone who has made this year a great one for IGDAM, which is pretty much all of you, but special mentions for yesterday’s enjoyment goes to:

Lions share of funding thanks to:
Big Ant Studios (http://www NULL.bigant NULL.com/)
The Voxel Agents (http://www NULL.thevoxelagents NULL.com/)
Kevin Power – VoiceOver artist (http://kevinpowe NULL.voiceoverartist NULL.com NULL.au/)
This is Wicked Awesome – the chimps (https://www NULL.facebook NULL.com/TheAdventuresofJamesChimp)
Marshalls and Dent Lawyers (http://www NULL.mdlaw NULL.com NULL.au/)
And all you other Pozible supporters

The magical ice cream truck of dreams was thanks to Surprise Attack (http://surpriseattack NULL.com NULL.au/) – if you’re an indie looking for promo, start here.

Ninja Bread men baked by Mitch, in case ice cream, apple and pumpkin pie wasn’t enough.

Conga line and cricket thanks to the lovely Leena and filmed by the sensational Stephan Schutze.

Jeremy Kool (http://thepaperfox NULL.blogspot NULL.com/) for the pretty igdamas ninja

And final and personal thanks to everyone who lets me get my bossy on and pulled together to make it happen – Tom, Obe, David, Matt Lacey, Fiona, Anna, Jamie, Craig, Caswal, and if you’ve helped out and I haven’t included you then you’re even more super ace for being understanding!

All the best for the silly season; enjoy, stay safe and we’ll catch up in the New Year.

Now our thoughts turn to game jam….registrations are filling fast so make sure you’ve signed up if you’re keen for a weekend of creative, collaborative game creation.

If you would like to help out with the jam please email giselle at igdamelbourne dot org….even if you’ve already mentioned it to her (she’s a bit forgetful sometimes)

So, wanna see a conga line of gamedevs?

 
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Global Game Jam 2012 Sponsorship Prospectus now available

28 Nov

If you or your company are interested in supporting the growth of local game development, game jam is the ideal opportunity for grass roots support.

IGDA Melbourne will be running game jam for the second time in 2012 and whilst we’re very good at working with shoestring budgets, devs need to eat.

Please get in touch with Giselle [giselle at igdamelbourne dot org]  for your copy of the prospectus outlining sponsorship opportunities.

Tell your colleagues, school boss and friends, hell, tell ya mum, she might be keen to help out.

 
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Posted in Events

 

WANTED: Game Jam project manager – apply within

26 Nov

After a highly successful (despite the over effective air conditioning and alarms!) inaugural Global Game Jam (http://globalgamejam NULL.org/) run by IGDA Melbourne in January this year, we are looking to host it again at La Trobe University (http://www NULL.latrobe NULL.edu NULL.au), 27-29 January 2012…but we need someone to drive this project.

I am finding it difficult to manage my time well enough to fit in a full time job, two kids with impending Christmas and school holidays, and my regular igdam ‘responsibilities’ – let alone project managing this substantial event, and I’m hoping there’s someone who see’s this as a great opportunity to step up for it.

Craig Peebles in particular did an orsum job with this last year, but is busy making games and planes at the moment.  There are helpers ready to assist, but I think we need to designate a driver.

I’m happy to assist, and have last years files and experiences to build on, but can’t drive it this year, so I’m hoping someone would like a little summer project – it’s not hard, it’s just time.

If you’re interested please email me giselle at igdamelbourne dot org

Yeah, no, it’s not a paid gig, unless you mean paid in terms of the satisfaction and fuzzies you get from enabling many games to be made over a crazy, fun filled weekend, thern it’s paying through the roof!

Thanks, and now back to the ninja plans and housework.

 
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Posted in Events, Job

 

Ninja Christmas here we come

22 Nov

When: Saturday 10 December 12.00 – 4.00 pm

Where: The Rotunda, Edinbugh Gardens, North Fitzroy (http://maps NULL.google NULL.com NULL.au/maps?q=-37 NULL.786764,144 NULL.981566&hl=en&sll=37 NULL.786764,144 NULL.981566&sspn=9 NULL.284901,19 NULL.753418&vpsrc=0&t=m&z=15)

To get your ticket you must RSVP

Massive props to everyone who made this pozible (hurr hurr), especially

Big Ant Studios (http://bigant NULL.com/)

The Voxel Agents (http://www NULL.thevoxelagents NULL.com/)

Marshalls and Dent (http://www NULL.mdlaw NULL.com NULL.au/)

Kevin Powe – Voiceover artist (http://kevinpowe NULL.voiceoverartist NULL.com NULL.au/)

James Chimp (http://www NULL.jameschimp NULL.com/)

and the rest of you fab bunch.  Support those that support you!

Catering will be provided by Smokestack Lightning BBQ, which sounds delicious.

If you have an esky you can bring along to chill drinks, contact giselle at igdamelbourne dot org to let me know, cold drinks are tops in December.

Thanks again, and we hope to see you there.

 
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There’s worse things than losing a job…ask Kate

20 Nov

Ok, so we can all go through tough times, and do the best we can.  Tough times are when you need your friends, family and community the most.

Kate Inabinet, former Blue Tongue Animator, mother and cancer survivor,  is having a tough time. (https://docs NULL.google NULL.com/document/pub?id=1BPkr5bGrXt1F5D6n-wwitWMSs9j1Fc6xRR_s_VB6pg8) If current plans to restrict the provision of the medication that can make her life bearable is upheld,  it may as well be forfeit in her eyes.

I’d like to urge you to support Kate, by hearing her story (https://docs NULL.google NULL.com/document/pub?id=1BPkr5bGrXt1F5D6n-wwitWMSs9j1Fc6xRR_s_VB6pg8) and signing a petition (http://www NULL.change NULL.org/petitions/the-australian-medical-board-prevent-desiccated-thyroid-product-being-restricted-in-australia) to stop the restriction of Desiccated Thyroid or Thyroid Extract (the complex restriction details can be viewed here (https://docs NULL.google NULL.com/document/pub?id=1y2Djsfe77DNbmaQkJcu-5S0opzKpqnzck1BAmmO_SIY)).

This is the only drug currently on the market that makes Kate’s life bearable.

In Kate’s words

“My name is Kate. I am 38 years old. I live in Melbourne with my loving partner, 2 hilarious cats and my glorious little 3 year old boy who is my entire world. I have a family and friends whom I love, and who love me, and I’m not ready to leave any of them. Especially over something that is so easily remedied.

“Please help me raise awareness for my cause by signing my petition and send this message to everyone you know, asking them to do the same…. for those who don’t know me, or care about me or my plight in any way shape or form, just stop for a moment and imagine if it was your mum who was going through this …and her life was in my hands.”

I’m always so impressed with how our community can band together when needed. It’s needed now (http://www NULL.change NULL.org/petitions/the-australian-medical-board-prevent-desiccated-thyroid-product-being-restricted-in-australia).

 
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Podcast: Exertion Games Lab, IGDAM November meet

18 Nov

IGDA PC Exertion 081111 (LF)

Thanks to Joel from Mnemonic Audio (http://www NULL.mnemonicaudio NULL.com/) for recording Floyd Mueller’s introduction to Exertion Games (http://www NULL.rmit NULL.edu NULL.au/exertiongameslab) at the IGDAM meet up on Tuesday 8 November (and for making sure I now know how to spell Mnemonic)

 
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