Welcome to a long weekend in Melbourne, tbh I’m not even sure what this one’s for, probably the Queen.

But I’m here to remind you of just after that…

We meet again on Tuesday 11 June at our regular hangout, Thousand Pound Bend.

Gathering and get the burgers sorted from about 6.30, talks start at 7.30 upstairs (if anyone has access issues, please get in touch).

Ben Britten is back at the mic, talking about Tin Man Games (http://tinmangames NULL.com NULL.au/blog/)‘ first year on Android. An entertaining and informative speaker, he’s always top value.

As is that’s not enough reason to come along and chat with fellow game developers, we have one more three day PAX (http://aus NULL.paxsite NULL.com/) pass to be given away and the first details of GCAP13 will be announced.

There’s some other interesting projects on the boil, so head along to find out more – and feel free to bring your game along!

If you’re interested in speaking at future events, please get in touch.

RSVPs via the facebook event are appreciated (https://www NULL.facebook NULL.com/events/329047430556513/), and if you’d like further information email giselle@igdamelbourne.org

Tuesday 12 February saw around 200 people gather at 1000 Pound Bend to play jammed games, catch up and find out who won this year’s awards.  It was a sensational night to celebrate the creation of games and friendships at Global Game Jam 2013. (photo courtesy of David Doe)

And the awards went to:

Best Game: You’ve got red on you (http://globalgamejam NULL.org/2013/youve-got-red-you)

Runner Up,  Best Game: Moth Kidz (http://globalgamejam NULL.org/2013/moth-kidz)

Most Original: Traffic Crisis 2040 (http://globalgamejam NULL.org/2013/traffic-crisis-2040)

Runner Up, Most Original: Presenting Professor Lamarkridge’s Amazing Zoological Cardio-transplantotron!  (http://globalgamejam NULL.org/2013/professor-lamarkridges-amazing-zoological-cardio-transplantotron)

Best Gameplay: Heart of Zarar (http://globalgamejam NULL.org/2013/heart-zarar)

Runner Up, Best Gameplay: Heart on Your Sleeve (http://globalgamejam NULL.org/2013/heart-your-sleeve)

Best Art: Endless Lovers (http://globalgamejam NULL.org/2013/endless-lovers)

Runner Up, Best Art: Heart Strings (http://globalgamejam NULL.org/2013/heart-strings)

Runner Up,  Best Art: World of Love (http://globalgamejam NULL.org/2013/world-love)

Most Accessible:  WrongBot (http://globalgamejam NULL.org/2013/wrongbot)

Runner Up, Most Accessible: Pump (http://globalgamejam NULL.org/2013/pump)

Runner Up, Most Accessible: Samurai XX (http://globalgamejam NULL.org/2013/samurai-xx)

Rising Star Award: Traffic Crisis 2040 (http://globalgamejam NULL.org/2013/traffic-crisis-2040)

Best Audio: Doki Doki (http://globalgamejam NULL.org/2013/doki-doki)

Runner Up,  Best Audio: Traffic Crisis 2040 (http://globalgamejam NULL.org/2013/traffic-crisis-2040)

Runner Up, Best Audio: Little Red Riding Hood (http://globalgamejam NULL.org/2013/little-red-hiding-hood)

Best New Talent:  Heart Strings (http://globalgamejam NULL.org/2013/heart-strings)

Runner Up, Best New Talent: Bowie (http://globalgamejam NULL.org/2013/bowie)

Runner Up, Best New Talent: Dark Organism (http://globalgamejam NULL.org/2013/dark-organism)

Best Teamwork: We all win with Congratulations (http://globalgamejam NULL.org/2013/congratulations)

Runner Up, Best Teamwork: U DED (http://globalgamejam NULL.org/2013/u-ded)

Thanks to PAX Australia the winners of Best Game and Most Accessible Game, along with the first runner up for Accessible Game (Pump!) have scored themselves three day passes to PAX!

The Rising Star award includes written feedback from Straight Right as to how Traffic Crisis 2040 could be further developed and a variety of winners also took home iTunes gift cards.

Thanks again to all our sponsors – please visit their sites and let them know their contributions are appreciated via twitter and stuff;

AIE (http://www NULL.aie NULL.edu NULL.au/)

Autodesk (http://www NULL.autodesk NULL.com NULL.au/)

Straight Right (http://straightright NULL.net/)

Windows Azure (http://www NULL.windowsazure NULL.com/en-us/)

FMOD (http://www NULL.fmod NULL.org/)

Redpoint Software (http://www NULL.redpointsoftware NULL.com NULL.au/)

Ruma Studios (http://www NULL.rumastudios NULL.com/)

Tin Man Games (http://tinmangames NULL.com NULL.au/blog/)

And last, but by no means least, so many people helped out in the planning and running of the event – you guys rock!

If you or your company are interested in supporting next year’s jam with a location, sponsorship or assistance we’d love to hear from you, you can email giselle@igdamelbourne.org to discuss possibilities.

June isn’t just about big stars from overseas, it’s also about our own stars-in-the-making here down under. It’s Open Mic night on the 12th of June and we have a bunch of our best presenting the latest news about what they’ve all be up to.

Everyone is encouraged to bring along playable prototypes and demos so we can show off our work to each other and get valuable feedback. So come along, bring your laptop / iPad / hover-jogging-buddy and join us for fun and feedback!

When: Tuesday 12 June, from 6.30pm – Open Mic starts around 7.

Where: 1000 Pound Bend (http://thousandpoundbend NULL.com NULL.au/)

Facebook RSVPs appreciated (https://www NULL.facebook NULL.com/events/234960473277213/) to get an idea on numbers.

What:

Playtesting will go throughout the evening, and the microphone will be powered up around 7pm for a variety of talks including:

Ben Britten with the latest update on Tin Man Games (http://tinmangames NULL.com NULL.au/) taking over the world, one gamebook adventure at a time.

LATE ADDITION: Maciej Sawitus, ex Blue Tongue and THQ programmer, will run through an analysis of the statistics collected from all of the Monstaaa (http://monstaaa NULL.pixelelephant NULL.com/)! players including:
- how many people successfully completed specific game levels
- how many times did people have to retry specific levels (aka “level of frustration”)
- popularity of certain iOS devices
- per-hour users and new users vs. New & Noteworthy in Australia

Trevor Dikes will introduce Soundplay Interactive (http://soundplayinteractive NULL.com/), talk about the development of their first title and the NEIS experience.

Harry Lee will talk about about Wanderlands (http://wanderlands NULL.org/main/)‘ rapid prototyping practices.

Ben Rejmer will share some user testing and user evaluation options for indies.

Andrew Brophy will have a few game demos to share.

Dan Clayton will introduce Dime Studios (http://www NULL.dimestudios NULL.com/)‘ latest game, and is on the lookout for testers.

David Thompson is back for a visit from Gameloft and will chat about that and his indie project, Tiberian Sun Rising (https://www NULL.facebook NULL.com/pages/Tiberian-Sun-Rising/164158993620119).

Nathan Antony, our resident chiptuner, will be showcasing some of his compositions.

Amongst all this there will also be demos of  ColourBlind, Scuttle, Tasty Fish, Love and Jetpacks and more!

Don’t miss out, brave the cold, grab a burger and a hat and join us!

If you are looking for funding your next game project, Film Victoria (http://www NULL.film NULL.vic NULL.gov NULL.au) has some great funding options, and applications close mid-April.

At The Boat Builders Yard (http://theboatbuildersyard NULL.com/cms-contact) from 6pm – 9pm (talks starting at 6:30) in South Wharf we are pleased to give you some inside info on what it takes to secure funding from people who have been there and done that.

Ben Britten: As part of Tin Man Games (http://tinmangames NULL.com NULL.au/), Ben has written successful funding applications and is now one of the assessors for the fund (yes, he’s one of the people you’ll have to impress)

Chris Wright: The Chief Surprise Architect from Surprise Attack (http://surpriseattack NULL.com NULL.au/) has been involved in three successful funding applications in collaboration with his indie clients, and can give tips on this too, as well as what it takes to be able to access even bigger pots of money.

Chris Watts: Chris’ company, Play Bit Entertainment (http://www NULL.playbitent NULL.com/), has also been on the receiving end of Film Victoria funding for his recently released Facebook game, Puzzle Treasure (http://apps NULL.facebook NULL.com/puzzletreasure/?ref=ts)

And of course, Film Victoria’s own Brad Giblin will also be there to answer your questions.

As we are limited for space, this event is for those looking to secure funding in the next round of applications or the near future.  We will be looking into holding a more general ‘How to Secure Funding’ event later in the year to cover not only Film Victoria, but also Screen Australia and any other relevant funding bodies.

Please be sure to RSVP via the facebook event (https://www NULL.facebook NULL.com/events/284818771586451/).

If you have any queries, email giselle@igdamelbourne.org

A selection of newly conserved games from the Melbourne Global Game Jam (http://globalgamejam NULL.org/sites/2012/igda-melbourne-la-trobe) will be available for your sampling pleasure at the next IGDAM meet up.  Please note the unusual date (didn’t want to cramp Valentine’s plans) and venue (the bend was already booked).

When: Tuesday 21 February from 6pm

Where: The Order of Melbourne (http://maps NULL.google NULL.com NULL.au/maps?q=the+order+of+melbourne&ll=-37 NULL.80875,144 NULL.963291&spn=0 NULL.010019,0 NULL.01929&fb=1&gl=au&hq=the+order+of&hnear=0x6ad642af0f11fd81:0x5045675218ce7e0,Melbourne+VIC&cid=0,0,13260682760810499361&t=m&z=16&iwloc=A) (think Freeplay afterparty venue and you’re set)

Some of the games for your tasting pleasure include:

Omelette Boris (http://www NULL.kumobius NULL.com/omeletteboris/), Purgatory (http://globalgamejam NULL.org/2012/purgatory), Circle of Snake (http://globalgamejam NULL.org/2012/circle-snake), Faia (http://globalgamejam NULL.org/2012/faia), Harmonize (http://globalgamejam NULL.org/2012/harmonize), Hairy Cat Holocaust (http://globalgamejam NULL.org/2012/hairy-cat-holocaust) (please play on mute), Deep (http://globalgamejam NULL.org/2012/deep)and many, many more….

If you could let us know if you’re coming via the facebook event (https://www NULL.facebook NULL.com/events/155828627866033/) it’d be much appreciated.

Jammers, please register your game for display (https://docs NULL.google NULL.com/spreadsheet/viewform?hl=en_US&formkey=dFhDVzlMVEo4ejM3U25wZTh6S3ZHTXc6MQ#gid=0) so we can save you a space and have someone set up by 6pm at The Order.

The jam was a massive success with over 100 jammers creating 28 games in just 48 hours. We couldn’t have achieved this without the generous support of our sponsors….We owe enormous thanks in particular to our Platinum Sponsor La Trobe University (http://latrobe NULL.edu NULL.au)for allowing us to use their campus grounds to host all of the jammers. They were generous in providing us with five computer labs and a workstation for every jammer, as well as internet access and use of their amenities. The Game Jam would not have been possible without this venue.All of the jammers were delighted to hear from Myles who explained Gold Sponsor Microsoft’s Imagine Cup (http://www NULL.imaginecup NULL.com/), which is certainly of interest to all of these jammers. The generous financial support given by Microsoft also provided a solid meal and snacks that fueled the creative minds.We also owe significant thanks to our other Gold Sponsors the Academy  (http://aie NULL.edu NULL.au)of Interactive Entertainment (http://aie NULL.edu NULL.au) and Immersive Technologies (http://www NULL.immersivetechnologies NULL.com/)for their generous financial assistance. Their support allowed us to provide meals and some fun distractions to relieve the jammers from 48 hours of relentless development. The game jam would not have been possible without their early support.

All the jammers also owe many thanks to our Prize Sponsors EA Aus (http://www NULL.ea NULL.com/au)

tralia (http://www NULL.ea NULL.com/au),Stephan Shutze’s Sound Librarian (http://www NULL.stephanschutze NULL.com/sound-library NULL.html), Surprise Attack (http://surpriseattack NULL.com NULL.au/) amd StormFX (http://www NULL.stormfx NULL.com NULL.au/) for their generous donation of prizes including a copy of the Stephan’s sound library, valued at $2000 for the best game audio, a half day branding and marketing workshop for the most surprising game, as well as JB giftcards and a terrific selection of EA games and merchandise.

Finally, cheers to our  Indie Sponsors Tin Man Games (http://tinmangames NULL.com NULL.au/), The League of Geeks (http://www NULL.leagueofgeeks NULL.com/), and The Voxel Agents (http://www NULL.thevoxelagents NULL.com/) who provided some financial support and who were also incredibly generous with their time in helping organise, run, and judge the jam. Particular thanks are also due to Ben Britten-Smith of Tin Man Games who provided valuable mentorship to the jammers.

Hope to see you at The Order

The Global Game Jam is  primarily (http://globalgamejam NULL.org)collaborative, not competitive. The focus of the weekend is for everyone to make great games. However we’re game makers, so we can’t resist the urge to spice things up by making it a bit competitive and so in the interests of fun and of recognising excellence we do award prizes for several categories.

To reflect more accurately the role of the judging panel, we’ll be looking at them as a tasting panel after a long weekend in the game making kitchen.

Our “Jam Tasters” are

Simon Joslin, Creative Director at The Voxel Agents (http://thevoxelagents NULL.com), and veteran 48 Hour jammer.

Ben Britten, Technical Director at Tin Man Games (http://tinmangames NULL.com NULL.au) and international man of mystery.

Trent Kusters, ‘Creative Director’ at Divisive Media (http://www NULL.wetroads NULL.com/dm/) and ‘Founder & Director’ at  League of Geeks (http://www NULL.leagueofgeeks NULL.com/) who always smells nice.

Craig Duturbure, Creative Director at Grapple Gun Games (http://www NULL.grapplegungames NULL.com/) and an indie designer who looks for everlasting fun in games (but will settle for a satisfying shotgun effect)

Conor O’Kane, Game Development Lecturer at RMIT and jammer from last year about to release the jammed Last Flight of the Bumblebee (http://globalgamejam NULL.org/2011/last-flight-bumblebee)for iPad on the App Store.

Katie Williams, freelance writer, Kotaku Australia (http://kotaku NULL.com NULL.au), Hyper and PCPP and lover of inflatable strawberries.

Sam Mayo, Community Manager at Firemint (http://firemint NULL.com/) and ace lemon jouster.

Unforunately Mark Serrels can’t stay for the whole jam but will be coming along.  (I couldn’t resist his bio), Editor of Kotaku Australia. He is a multi award-winning journalist and the inventor of the Serrels’ Stare ™ (http://www NULL.kotaku NULL.com NULL.au/2011/05/yet-another-reason-why-kotaku-has-the-best-community-ever/). He has previously edited publications such as The Official Nintendo Magazine, The Official PlayStation Magazine, Australian 360 and PSM3. He once got 191,000 on Doodle Jump and totally has a man crush on Ryan Gosling. And, yes, he is painfully aware that he closely resembles Simon Pegg.

Awards Categories and Prizes

Tasters’ Toast: A $500 JB Voucher courtesy of Immersive Technologies

Jammers’ Jam de Jam: A $100 JB voucher

Tarty Art (best graphics): EA swag

Farty Art (best sound):  the complete Sound Librarian (http://www NULL.stephanschutze NULL.com/)

Smoothest Jam  (best teamwork): More swag from  EA Australia (http://www NULL.ea NULL.com/au)  along with $100 JB Voucher

Most Surprising Spread :

We <3 our growing list of sponsors for all the brilliant support and prizes.

Tasters  will reconvene with the jam makers, media and guests, over a bbq and a beer at La Trobe’s Eagle Bar at about 6pm on Sunday 29 January where they will discuss their tasting notes.

Games sector and media are encouraged to email giselle@igdamelbourne.org for an invite to Sunday afternoon display, awards and BBQ.  If you miss out this time there will be information about a game jam expo soon <crosses fingers the plan comes together.>

We’ll try to keep you posted with updates, but if you have any questions, start at the facebook #igdamjam page (https://www NULL.facebook NULL.com/groups/186036814823342/)and take it from there.

Ingredients:

 101 juicey jammers

One secret theme ingredient

101 computers* see below for pre-made recipe

2 jamming labs

1 sleeping lab – be sure to overchill

5 special guest panelists

1 smattering of media

 Taste testers, creativity, pizza, curry, caffeine,toast, cereal, caffeine, drinks, caffeine, bbq, more caffeine…then finally alcohol

Method

Friday

Apply 101 juicey jammers to register at the Beth Gleeson Building, Science Drive, La Trobe University (http://maps NULL.google NULL.com NULL.au/maps?q=la+trobe+university,+bundoora&hl=en&ll=-37 NULL.721476,145 NULL.049787&spn=0 NULL.020062,0 NULL.038581&sll=-25 NULL.335448,135 NULL.745076&sspn=45 NULL.958389,79 NULL.013672&vpsrc=6&hq=la+trobe+university,&hnear=Bundoora+Victoria&t=h&fll=-37 NULL.72089,145 NULL.048714&fspn=0 NULL.005016,0 NULL.009645&z=15&layer=t) between  2pm and 3.30pm on Friday 27 January. 

Free parking is available in the white bays only of car parks 1 and 2 (Car Park 2 is closest to the jamsite)

Gently agitate in a lecture theatre, then softly fold in a  panel discussion at 4.00pm Agent Tom Killen (The Voxel Agents), Matt F Ditton (you name it), Trent Kusters (League of Geeks), Harry Lee (recent LudumDare Jam winner and all round amazing bloke), Tony Reed (Game Developers’ Association of Australia) about how to survive a game jam, and what makes a good game in a short time frame.

At 5:00 Friday add the secret theme ingredient.  THIS INGREDIENT MUST BE KEPT SECRET UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE!

Shake, stir and then separate into teams.  Recommended size per team, 2-5 jammers.

It’s now it’s time to apply the heat.

Saturday

Blend teams with computers, food, friends and surprises until the games are simmering.

Add toast and cereal, juice, tea and coffee.

Combine with the rest of the world and register teams and games.

Add Subway and snacks.

Continue simmering throughout the night, slowly increasing the heat. Media may be added at any stage during the process.

Add Indian.

Add Red Bull

Add sleep – don’t forget this ingredient. Your game will not rise without it. Bring warm bedding, earplugs for the soft sleepers and snuggle down for a break, dreams make games, don’t ya know?

Sunday

Additional toast, cereal, juice tea and coffee to be liberally applied at this point

10:30-12:30  Add another secret ingredient – this adds to the local flavour of the global game jam

Make sure all games are in the oven by 3.00pm

3:30pm  Tasting panel arrives

5:00pm  Time to clean down all jam cooking areas

6:00pm Retire to The Eagle Bar for dinner and drinks to await the tasters’ verdicts.

6:30ish Final presentations and thanks and stuff, farewells, and more very well deserved drinks.

2012 will be just the second time this recipe is made with the Melbourne Method, and we’re looking forward to experiencing the cooking and tasting the jam

Computers

Computers will be precooked to include:

Hardware

Intel Core i7
4Gb of ram
Widescreen LCD 20” ish.
DVD usb etc
GTX 260
KB + Mouse

 Software

Win 7 x64
Visual Studio 2010
XNA 4.0
Blender
MS Office
Firefox
IE
Chrome
Maya
3D Studio max

We’re still investigating licencing options for Photoshop

Add to that whatever you BYO that you have access to and permission for.

Remember:

“It is ok to use any freely available software with free versions like Unity, Shiva, Unreal, etc. We even go so far as to say that it is ok to use software that is easily accessible but not free; an example is the Source engine which is not free to download, but comes with any Valve game.

If someone has built their own engine it is best left up to the organizers’ discretion. Source code is not necessary, but you do need to provide headers and libraries, so that someone downloading the game can built it again from scratch.”

And of course, this recipe just wouldn’t be possible without a hearty dose of sponsorship, thanks again to La Trobe University (http://latrobe NULL.edu NULL.au) (Platinum Sponsor), AIE (http://aie NULL.edu NULL.au)(Gold Sponsor), Immersive Technologies (http://www NULL.immersivetechnologies NULL.com/) (Gold Sponsor), Microsoft Imagine Cup (http://www NULL.microsoft NULL.com/australia/imaginecup/) (Gold Sponsor),  Prize sponsors EA Australia (http://www NULL.ea NULL.com/au)and Sound Librarian (http://www NULL.stephanschutze NULL.com/sound-library NULL.html), and Indie sponsors The Voxel Agents, (http://www NULL.thevoxelagents NULL.com/) League of Geeks (http://www NULL.leagueofgeeks NULL.com/) and Tin Man Games (http://tinmangames NULL.com NULL.au/blog/).

All media and event enquiries can be emailed to giselle@igdamelbourne.org

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!

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!

Hey all,

Had another great night at last week’s IGDA Melbourne meeting, they just keep getting bigger and better! We had 180 last month, and it looked like it was over 200 for this month! We’ll have to work hard to keep up the momentum at this rate…

The topic for the May meeting was ‘Money, Marketing and You’. The focus was on the financial realities of running an independent game development business, and personal marketing for independents and students.

To start things off, we had a quick update from Paul Callaghan on the preparations for this year’s Freeplay festival. The theme for Freeplay 2011 is ‘Handmade’, with a focus on the specific craft aspects of game development, as well as the individual’s place in the creative process and how games manifest as player constructed experiences. If you want to be part of Freeplay 2011, as a presenter, volunteer, expo presenter, or even assist in running the event as an Associate Producer or Board Member, check out the details at the website (http://www NULL.freeplay NULL.net NULL.au/) and get in touch with Paul to register your interest.

We kicked off the main event, and had the wonderful Neil Rennison from Tin Man Games (http://www NULL.tinmangames NULL.com) there, to talk about the actual financials of his business, and the reality of running an indie dev business. This was incredibly valuable information, with him quoting his actual business financials, and describing how he runs his business, and what he learned while developing each of their titles. Huge thanks to Neil for being so open and honest with all of this information. Neil then broke the sad news that he will soon be leaving our sunny colonial shores to return to the motherland (UK). It’s a sad decision, but Tin Man Games will still operate as a Victorian business, Ben Britten will still be here and there are plenty of plans already in the works for future Gamebook Adventures titles. We wish Neil and his family all the best for the move and all look forward seeing him at GCAP. Neil’s been a prominent and valued member of the IGDA Melbourne community and our loss is England’s gain. With luck we’ll tempt him back in a few years.

After that, we had Trent Kusters and Stephan Schutze talking about personal marketing, branding, and job-seeking. At this point, the evening was already getting rather late, but Trent and Stephan managed to amazingly fit a huge amount of information into the time they had (and you could easily run a day-long session on this topic). There were guidelines and examples of how to write an effective CV and cover letter and how to build a personal brand, an online folio presence, and the Do’s and Don’ts of job applications and interviews.

Stephan put together a collection of information for people to access, and you can find it on his website (http://www NULL.stephanschutze NULL.com/resources NULL.html).

It was an amazing night, with lots of valuable information for students, independents, and just about anyone really. We were also at a new venue, 1000£ Bend. They had a great open area in the gallery out the back where everyone had plenty of room for mingling and networking, and an upstairs presentation area with seating (not enough for everyone unfortunately, we were rather surprised by how many people came along), and while the rain drowned out the speakers a bit at times, it’s looking like a great venue for future events as well. If you have any comments on the venue or the evening, please let us know at info@igdamelbourne.org.

As announced on the night, our June event will be a developers ‘Post-Mortem’ of “AFL Live”, which was developed in Melbourne by Big Ant Studios (http://www NULL.bigant NULL.com/) (X360 and PS3) and Wicked Witch Software (http://www NULL.wicked-witch NULL.com NULL.au/) (Wii). We’ll have speakers from both companies there to spill the beans on what happened during the games development, and field questions from the audience. Further details about this soon…

Cheers all,
Craig.