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GAME ON! Festival Wrap Up
Game On! Well it certainly was Saturday 29 October at Macquarie Uni. The kids came, saw and conquered many awesome events on the day.
Indie game developers came to showcase their games. They answered questions about things like the gaming industry and what it is like starting your own development company. It gave kids a rare opportunity to hear the stories from the real, grass roots level people in the Games Industry. Kids were observed sitting with these developers asking questions playing their games and getting an understanding of what happens behind the scenes. In the same area kids with parents were seen trying to out-do one another in the Retro Gaming Hub. One dad kept coming back several times to the Space Invaders pod to see if he still had the high score lol! “Yep, still got it” he muttered as he surreptitiously cut through the expectant crowd.
Retro gaming in action!
Zombies!!!!! Who wouldn’t want to be a zombie or have the chance to nerf one? The Live Action Zombie Nerf Tag Game drew the crowds. The sizzle of nerf bullets and groans of the pained, walking dead got the heart racing from even the position of the innocent spectators. Definitely a must for all gamers and even noobs. Fun for all ages, even the 6 year old girl who had to show her older brother how to reload the nerf gun and cock the firing pin. Her delicate little voice saying “You put the bullet in here and you pull the hammer back here, see.” was heart warming heart.
Zombies - looking for brains!
Nerf gun distribution - to the humans!
Let’s not forget the Massively Minecraft rooms. Experienced miners, small miners, big miners and soon to be miners all lent forward in build pose thoroughly immersed in digging building and blowing stuff up. Well, who doesn’t like the last bit? Cudos to the Massively Minecraft mob for providing a safe and educational environment for all involved. Success could be best gauged by the amount of children being dragged from the rooms just before closing by their parents kicking and screaming “Five more miiinaaaarts! Come on pleeeeease.” If only school was this addictive.
The crew from Good Game Spawn Point descend on miners at MacICT
Mining in Massively Minecraft was a huge attraction
There was game designing speed challenges using Microsoft’s Kodu Game Lab with the chance to win awesome prizes on the day. Everyone got in on that act. Even some, what looked to be, ‘experienced gamers’ were in there showing a dab hand at creating their best efforts at Kodu Battlefield and Kodu-COD.
Girls competing in the Kodu rapid prototyping speed challenge
The info session were well attended by parents, teachers, academics and other ring ins.The teachers kicked it off with their session, “We Play, We Design, We Learn” Thanks to Alice Leung, Joanne Cologan, Peter Robson and Simon Hutchison were happy to share their experiences around games and game design in their classrooms. They were followed by two boys from Gordon East Public School who gave an excellent presentation about what they have learnt from designing games in their classroom.
Joanne Cologon “We play, we design, we learn” Alice Leung “We play, we design, we learn” Peter Robson “We play, we design, we learn” Simon Hutchison and the students of Gordon East PS – Game Design Project
The teachers were followed by parent and Massively Minecraft co-founder, Dean Groom who gave people tips on managing children’s gaming habits.
Dean Groom “Managing children’s gaming habits”
After Dean, Professor James Dalziel and lecturer Kate Highfield from Macquarie University gave a very informative session titled, “inside the head of a gamer – what is happening when we play and design games.”
Prof James Dalziel “Inside the head of a gamer” Kate Highfield “Inside the head of a gamer”
The final info session was delivered by Dr Rowan Tulloch from Macquarie Uni’s new Interactive Media Institute on “So you want to be a game designer? How to break into the video game industry?” Rowan spent some time after his session answering questions from parents of gamers and teachers about the video game design industry.
Dr Rowan Tulloch “So you want to develop video games?”
Gaming advocate, journalist and all round great guy, Goose, and the data analysing robot for the ruthless, extermination of noobs, DARREN from Good Game – Spawn Point made a presentation to a mass of spawnlings and noobs in the MQ Uni Atrium. Goose and DARREN presented some interesting information about games and what makes a good game as well as providing an interesting Q&A session at the end of their presentation. The kids loved it. It was like a press conference on the outbreak of SARS when a kid from the audience stood and asked “DARREN, how many noobs are there in the world?” Of course his reply was serious, deliberate and speedy when he answered “After considering all the variables and the population of the world currently I estimate there are approximately four billion noobs in the world at this moment.” Priceless.
Goose and DARREN from Good Game Spawn Point wow the crowd!
Budding video game journalists in the crowd
Goose and DARREN entertained the young and young at heart!
Wow! You might say, but that’s not all. Kids also participated in an Xbox Kinect – Dance Central 2 competition and a huge group session of Michael Jackson – The Experience. Around fifty kids were all doing the moves from the famous ‘Thriller’ track as they rotated in front of the Kinect scoring points and moon walking better than the late MJ himself. And what a climax, a dance off between the final two Dance Central top scorers for a Lenovo Idea Pad. A primary school girl versus a high school boy. Seem unfair? We all learned size means nothing on a Kinect playing field. The lead must have changed three times as they sky pumped and twirled their way through the complicated choreography. I have to admit, I had goosebumps in the final moments watching as the youngest competitor came back with vengeance to take the crown.
Gordon East PS students having fun with Kinect Dance Central 2
To top it all off, the gurus of game, Goose and DARREN presented the prizes from the various competitions run on the day rewarding the spawnlings with their just desserts. As a gamer, you can’t get better than that.
Good Game Spawn Point Feature Story: Game On
The awesome team from MacICT who organised the festival were thoroughly exhausted by the end of the day, but were oh so happy and the vibe, excitement and feedback received from so many at the festival.
This is how the MacICT staff felt at the end of the day - notice, we still have a smile on our face.
Indie Developers at Game On!
Nine indie studios showcased their games at the Game On festival. Adults and children were able to play their games, ask questions and get tips ranging from making games to breaking into the video games industry.
Thank you so much to the following developers who came to Game On:
Nnooo, Necromancer, Visual Outbreak, Dinoroar, Bubble Gum Interactive, Alternator, Convict Interactive, Hedgegrove Enterprises and Blowfish Studios.
A couple of the indie studios were still developing their games. We particularly loved this photo of a message from the makers of Necromancer, James and Brogan. The message reads,
“Hello!
We are James and Brogan.
We are both Game Development students from NSI
We have been up all night coding, so we may look a little tired.
We want to demonstrate the ins and outs of game development,
So we are improving the game right now!
Ask us questions about game programming, games or anything in particular.
We are happy to chat.
James and Brogan
Authentic learning in context – absolutely!
All the developers were so enthusiastic and willing to share their knowledge and not just showcase their games. It was great to see adults and kids so eager to take advantage of this opportunity. A great day was had by all.
Chat with Indie Game Developers at GAME On!
Want to be a game designer? Come along and chat with the indie game developers showcasing their work at our GAME On: community video game festival on October 29, from 9:30am onwards. These developers are happy to chat with you about what they are doing, how they got started and answer any questions you may have. The indie developers range from one person operations to a development team of 32 spread across the globe. All are at various stages of completion of their games.
Click here to register for this session.
Here’s more from the developers . . .
James Forbes
James
I’m a solo developer working on a space trader called “Necromancer”.
The game is set in the distant future, civilization has collapsed due to overpopulation. This collapse has caused a sort of future dark age.
People no longer understand how to operate technology and it is up to archaeologists to resurrect derelict ships and other technology, to save humanity from lack of supplies, spreading disease and destruction. The game is developed in the spirit of games like the Escape Velocity series and Freelancer.
Currently I am studying game development but my plan is to get heavily involved with developing the game this year. I am excited about meeting people interested in indie game development, and games in general, so I am looking forward to this event.
Necromancer
Visual Outbreak
Nyssa Norton (lead writer and PR manager), Alex Norton (creative director and lead developer), Rachel Birchnoff (lead content artist) and Natalie ‘Elianan’ Jane (lead concept artist and designer)
We here at Visual Outbreak are out to create our ideal RPG experience. Our current title, Malevolence: The Sword of Ahkranox, is a game that fuses the turn-based, vast worlds of early classics such as Might & Magic and Eye of the Beholder, with the modern, high-end graphics of games such as Rage and Skyrim. Malevolence is unlike any other first person RPG currently available, however, in that the world which the game takes place in is – quite literally – infinite. In this game, there is an infinite number of weapons, items, armour, NPCs, dungeons, cities, forests and more. The game quite literally never stops creating itself, and it does all this while maintaining a classic turn-based feel. However, more modern players will also find that the gameplay is quite adaptive and will allow for a faster-paced approach if desired, turning it into a quick-moving, hack ‘n slash type adventure!
We have a playable demo coming out just before Christmas this year, with the full version being released on December 21st, 2012. Follow along with the game’s development on the official Facebook page and Twitter feed!
Dinoroar
Dinoroar is a juxtaposition playing on the idea of the old world versus the new technological age. Dinoroars’ focus is basic interaction – which means that the team provides smart, quirky and entertaining situations for you to be in. Dinoroars’ innovative and interactive products and games gives anyone (of any age) an excuse to enjoy themselves for that brief moment in time.
Dinoroars recent release “Tapmatic” uses the tap function, a player must be able to repeat and identify the sequence given to them. Puzzle players around the world will be able to test their skills within 4 different play modes (Easy, Medium, Hard and Timed).
The latest game in production “Havoc” is an entertaining and addictive game of destruction which is sure to get you hooked!
You can check out Dinoroar via
- Website: http://www.dinoroar.com/ and follow them on
- Facebook http://www.facebook.com/DinoroarInteractive or
- Twitter http://twitter.com/_dinoroar
Bubble Gum Interactive
Bubble Gum Interactive is an independent game development studio with headquarters in Sydney. Our mission is to create compelling and engaging gaming experiences that help kids discover every day. We have just released the beta of our first game, Little Space Heroes a fun and safe virtual universe for kids. Players create their own heroes, team up with friends and explore a colourful and vibrant universe full of fun and adventure as they seek out clues left by the dastardly Lord Shadowbot.
The Bubblegum Team
The beta is free to play. If you’d like to be a beta tester just head to http://www.littlespaceheroes.com where you can create your own hero, strap on your jetpack, fire up your starjet and blast off for adventure!
Watch the teaser trailer
You can also check out our Facebook fan page
http://www.facebook.com/littlespaceheroes
Alternator
Bryan Moses & Dean Tuttle
Alternator is an action-packed, futuristic racer set in the Outback 50 years from now, with environmental devastation at crisis point. You drive an off-road racing vehicle powered by the future of renewable energies. As you race you uncover encrypted technologies which you take back to your HQ to hack. These let you research and invent new, clean ‘green’ technologies to modify your car. These mods increase your speed, acceleration, boost power and ability to perform stunts. Then you blast your way across desert dunes, canyons and open cut mines, winning races, proving your technologies and saving your world!
This premise allows the creators of Alternator, Dean Tuttle and Bryan Moses, to seamlessly incorporate their serious subject matter into the game play. As you play to win, you uncover an incredible array of factual stories from the cutting edge of today’s science and engineering. From laser propelled spacecraft, to garbage-fuelled monster trucks, you discover a treasure trove of potential solutions to our energy crisis. These are real solutions that already exist. They are set to inspire players to learn more and help create a brighter future.
Alternator is the winner of the ABC TV and Screen Australia Serious Games Initiative. This high profile competition challenged the Australian games industry to create a game that proves it’s possible to have awesome fun and do social good at the same time. Dean and Bryan are first-time game makers and are looking forward to sharing their experiences at GAME ON.
Convict Interactive
Convict Interactive is an independent game development studio based in Wollongong, Australia. After winning the 48 hour game making challenge in Brisbane in 2009, we realised we had what it takes to make high quality, entertaining games. So after graduating from university we decided to form a company to do just that.
We have just released a game for Xbox Live Indie Games called Convict Minigames. We also have a number of other games in development to be released for smart phones and hopefully Steam.
Like us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ConvictInteractive
Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/ConvictInt
Check out our website www.convictinteractive.com
Blowfish Studios
Blowfish Studios is a small Australian independent game development company, located in Sydney since 2009. We specialize in game applications for the mobile platform: Apple iPhone, iPod, iPad & Google Android.
Even though we are only three full time people, we like to compete with the big studios on game appeal and quality. We pride ourselves in creating innovative and well-designed games that are most importantly fun and enjoyable!
Check out our Website: www.blowfishstudios.com
Like us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/blowfishstudios
Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/blowfishstudios
Nnooo
Our first title, Pop, was one of only 6 titles chosen by Nintendo of America as a launch title for the US WiiWare service in 2008. We have also released a series of organisational applications for the Nintendo DSi called the myLifeCollected series. This includes the myNotebook range (with sales of over 250,000 units), myPostcards and myDiary.
Our latest game was released on WiiWare at the end of September and is a retro-styled arcade game called escapeVektor: Chapter 1. The game has enjoyed widespread critical acclaim and has a Metacritic rating of 89, giving it the second highest rating of all WiiWare titles.
We are also working on an augmented reality role playing game called Spirit Hunters Inc, in which the player hunts, battles and captures mischievous spirits which are inhabiting our world.
Video 2 – Spirit Hunters Inc
Hedgegrove Enterprises
‘Kraken Up’ is a hilarious nonsensical adventure that stretches from the bottom of the ocean to the depths of space. You play a young Kraken, thrown out of home by his demanding parents, and must now undertake an arduous vertical journey. Climb and chew your way to homeownership through six levels, collecting powerups and unlocking minigames along the way. Then, compare your scores with other players around the world using Apple’s Game Center.
Hedgegrove Enterprises is a recently-formed team of young developers based in Sydney, Australia. Coming from a wide range of backgrounds, the Hedgegrove team has come together with the intention of making some genuinely fun games. We are currently working on our first title, Kraken Up, with plans for other games in the pipeline.
3DEDRATS Festival: Play with robots, virtual worlds and video games. 