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Posts Tagged ‘Melbourne’

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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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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Posted in Game Jam, Other

 

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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Game Jam returns: January 27-19 2012 thanks to…

06 Dec

It’s been in the works for a while, but thanks to La Trobe University (http://latrobe NULL.edu NULL.au), The Academy of Interactive Entertainment (AIE) (http://aie NULL.edu NULL.au) and Immersive Technologies (http://www NULL.immersivetechnologies NULL.com/), Global Game Jam (http://globalgamejam NULL.org/) returns to Melbourne in 2012.

La Trobe Uni are on board again to be venue sponsors as they host us amongst the moats, ducks and well air conditioned labs.

We are pleased to announce AIE and Immersive Technologies have pledged Gold sponsorship and ensured the #igdamjam’s living to jam another year.

For 48 hours over the weekend of Jan 27-29 a group of around 80 game designers, developers and artists – both amateur and professional – will come together for an intensive Jam Session, forming small creative teams to design and prototype innovative game ideas. We provide the space, the tools you need and even catering. You make the games, and the IP stays with you!

It’s going be a fun weekend, but we also hope it can be something more. We want to stimulate the game development scene in Australia. We have the talent, the creativity and the resources to create a truly Australian games industry, we just need the initiative to give it a go.

After the inaugral Melbourne Jam held at La Trobe in Bundoora, we are looking forward to a slicker, smoother weekend still full of all the crazy creative energy of 2011.

We’re still on the lookout for sponsors – that would ensure less noodles, more nom :) get in touch and spread the word if you can help out.  All sponsorship is used for catering and equipment.

Updates to come, but spots are filling fast so don’t miss out registering your interest.

All media and other enquiries should be directed to info@igdamelbourne.org

We’ll be busy on twitter and we’ve even got a game jam specific facebook group

 
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Posted in Events, Game Jam

 

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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GCAP Monday: Networking at Bluestone

11 Nov

We’re very excited about GCAP (http://gcap NULL.com NULL.au/)at IGDAM Central, and when the lovely folk from Traction Games (http://tractiongames NULL.com NULL.au/Games NULL.aspx)got in touch wondering where all the drinking networking nights were being held, we were happy to add to the festivities of GCAP by helping them out sorting drinks on Monday.

So….

All GCAP participants are invited to a lovely evening of networking at bevvies

When: 8:00 Monday 14 November

Where: Bluestone Bar (http://www NULL.bluestonebar NULL.com NULL.au/), 349 Flinders Lane, Melbourne

Thanks to GDAA and Traction Games, hope to see you there!

To assist us with estimating expected numbers, it would be appreciated if you could RSVP to the facebook event (https://www NULL.facebook NULL.com/event NULL.php?eid=260218827361881&context=create).

 
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Posted in Events

 

Game Jam site is go

03 Nov

The first steps towards Global Game Jam, Melbourne 2012, have been taken.

We’re now official at the Global Game Jam Site (http://globalgamejam NULL.org/sites/2012/igda-melbourne-la-trobe), so you can register as a contender there.  There will be more registration details etc in the coming months.

But yay! Game Jam!

 
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