Keynote speaker for Free Play 2005 was Greg Costikyan. From the Freeplay website, he was "inducted into the Adventure Gaming Hall of Fame for a lifetime of accomplishment in the field... designed more than 30 commercially published board, roleplaying, computer, online, and mobile games over a 30 year career."
As a consultant on game industry business issues, Greg had this to say about local game development from his time at Free Play and the local IGDA Melbourne chapter...
A general concern of…
Submitted by Djenx
JoWooD announces the cancellation of development of Stargate-SG1: The Alliance, the TV tie-in that was slated for release this October. The announcement states the work done to date by developer Perception Games "does satisfy neither our quality requirements nor the fans expectations," leading them to conclude "we now simply have lost confidence in their ability to finish this project in time and sufficient quality." The update leaves open the possibility that development on…
Gamespot has an article on the Fourth Annual Christian Game Developer's Conference which took place just recently in America. It's an interesting look at the surgance of Christian gaming and includes some comments by Micro Forte CEO, John De Margheriti, on his passion for religion and a Christian themed MMO game...
The Aussie, whose team has been hard at work on Citizen Zero, claims to be the only Christian in his company.
"We're not a Christian company - we make a lot of normal games. But it's…
The Australian has a retrospective on Ratbag in light of the Adelaide studio's recent aquisition by Midway. In particular focus is Ratbag co-founder, Greg Siegele, who won't be spluring too much after the windfall...
FROM a work-for-the-dole entrepreneur to sharing a windfall of $7.27 million from the sale of Ratbag Holdings, the computer games company he co-founded, Greg Siegele has come a long way in 12 years.
"We started with no income, just payments from the National Employment Incentive…
The Australian Film Television and Radio School (AFTRS) announces the July 22 opening of applications for one of the most innovative programs in the world, its graduate degree in Emerging Media and Interactive Design.
AFTRS Lecturer in Interactive Media Mark Pesce said the program was casting its sights beyond traditional film and TV professionals to people who had produced games, Flash movies, and toys.
"We are looking for people who view the whole world as an opportunity for play. We're…
Midway Games Inc. (NYSE:MWY), a leading interactive entertainment publisher and developer, announced today that it has acquired Ratbag Holdings Pty Ltd., a game development studio based in Adelaide, South Australia. Midway acquired the privately-held developer in a primarily stock transaction for 418,570 Midway shares. The studio is currently working on several unannounced Midway products for both current- and next-generation systems. The studio will be renamed Midway Studios - Australia.…
Submitted by Andrew Owen
We (The Faculty of Information Technology Monash University) are currently running a 3D Competition they will interest your readers. The Comp is sponsored by Alias
It is a Nationwide Competition and is open to all students in Secondary School and Tafe (conditions apply).
The Maya 3D Competition has two entry options:
1. Short Animation (maximum length of 3 minutes)
2. Still Image
All entries must be created using Maya PLE (Personal Learning Edition) which can be…
Submitted by Andrew Owen
The Comp is been run by the Faculty of Information Technology at Monash University Melbourne Australia this weekend at all 5 campuses. The dates are below. The game will be run on University machines, so no need to bring your own PC. The rules state you need to be between 14 and 18 but anyone attending Secondary School can play and win. Staff members will be dressed as Jedi and Darth Vader at some of campuses.
http://infotech.monash.edu.au/about/news/archive/2005/…
Submitted by Mark Angeli
Game Design Theory & Analysis Short Course
The only Game Design Theory course in Australia run by working designers and writers. Game Mechanic (at www.thegameconsultants.com) is a design consulting service staffed by industry veterans with over 25 years experience. Two of Game Mechanic's senior designers will share their expertise and experience in an 18 hour short course running over 3 weeks at the Academy of Interactive Entertainment, Melbourne campus. Learn…
Submitted by Richard Jones
Registration is now open for the first Python Game Programming Challenge (also known as PyWeek). The challenge runs from Sunday August 28th to Sunday September 4th. That means there's only (checks website) 29 days to go before the challenge starts! Full details about the challenge, and registration, at the website:
http://www.mechanicalcat.net/tech/PyWeek/
You may enter either individually or as a team. If you're keen and would like to join a team, but can't organise…
