You may have noticed some of the GameCity posters decorating Nottingham City Centre and beyond? Nice, aren't they?
Well, they've been designed by brilliant local artist Philippa Rice who you can join in a day of colourful cardboard character crafting creativity! Amazing!
We'll have LOADS of craft materials available. Let your imagination go wild!
DevSoc are a friendly bunch of dedicated computing students from Nottingham Trent University. Come and play their award-winning games like Retro Revenge and find out more about how indie games are developed. From undergraduate to PhD students they have a wide range of skills and plenty of ideas! If you’re interested in studying games systems, or looking for talented student developers, they're in the Old Market Square all week so go and say hello.
Every day we'll have a dozen screens in the Old Market Square, on which indie developers, students, universities and other organisations will be showing games and assorted interesting stuff. What's on will change from day to day. Come down to play games, talk to developers, and challenge your friends.
Today:
Martin Raynsford is an expert in making cool stuff with a laser cutter.
Here's the proof.
For the entire Festival week, he's lending us his prototype - version one - of a laser cut, mechanical Donkey Kong.
MECHANICAL DONKEY KONG!
While Mario's movement is somewhat limited at the moment, it does feature ultra high-res plywood graphics. It's Donkey Kong in H-er D than you've ever seen it before, all controlled with a NES pad.
Meet Martin to talk about it on Saturday the 20th, and play it all week in the Old Market Square.
Yes, the Venus Patrol Training Facility, brought to you by videogame culture site Venus Patrol, founded by Brandon Boyer, will bring your wildest dreams to life as you sign up for the most awe inspiring marriage of physical and mental exertion.
The challenges (games) you’ll be facing are:
Get On Top / Pole Riders - Bennett Foddy
Proteus Frog God Mode - Ed Key & David Kanaga, mod by George Buckenham
Passing Time - Honeyslug
Johann Sebastian Joust - Die Gute Fabrik
Hokra - Ramiro Corbetta
BaraBariBall - Noah Sasso
MegaGIRP - Bennett Foddy, mod by Douglas Wilson
The Venus Patrol Training Facility will be open from 10am-5pm Monday-Friday (20-26th Oct) and 10am-2pm Saturday (27th) on the Old Market Square and played on a 13sqm screen, so everyone can see your preparation and ultimate victory.
Amber will be recruiting in the city. Take the time to meet your local contact, register your interest and obtain your Amber indentifier.
http://weareamber.com/
Drawnomic is a reactive drawing machine installed at Nottingham Contemporary to explore human-computer interactions where virtual actions in the digital world can influence and create physical change in the real world.
As part of Nottingham Contemporary's Saturday Big Draw Special. Adam Sporne, Director of Urban Angel, will be installing 2 unique reactive drawing machines he has developed based on a variation of the hanging-pen plotter and a Polargraph.
The Drawnomic machine is used to explore human-computer interactions, where virtual actions in the digital word can influence and create physical change in the real word.
Drawnomic is capable of working in two distinct modes of operation: passive and reactive. In passive mode it simply recreates an existing image.
When in reactive mode Drawnomic can accept instruction and input directly, or indirectly from anywhere in the world via RSS and other data feeds. These instructions and inputs are then combined and interpreted by our unique software, the Drawnomic machine than takes a pen (a physical human tool) and uses it to draw the result.
The reactive mode translates the design process into a world-wide collaboration by utilising live data streams as a base for pattern generation. Due to the dynamic nature of these live data streams, the system generates patterns with unpredictable visuality. Live news feeds from the Internet are analysed, filtered and converted into a unique visual pattern that is then drawn by the machine. Because of this each drawing is completely unique and a direct result and representation of a specific day or time period.
This installation coincides with Urban Angel’s ARG ‘ The Malthusian Paradox’. As part of the installation could the Drawnomic machine be interpreting data left by Dr Solomon Baxter delivering secret information that ‘They don’t want you to know!’
See some photos of the Drawnomic machine at work on Flickr.
http://weareamber.com/
Help us create a game… computing students from Nottingham Trent University will be developing a game all week and they need your ideas!Let your warped imagination run wild. Check on their progress every day in Antenna and play the final game when they launch it on Saturday. Other interested developers with laptops are welcome to come and contribute. Indie busking involves the transparent and open creation of a video game by NTU students, exposing the development process to those interested in games but may not have an understanding of the process that goes into creating them.
DevSoc are a friendly bunch of dedicated computing students from Nottingham Trent University. Come and play their award-winning games like Retro Revenge and find out more about how indie games are developed. From undergraduate to PhD students they have a wide range of skills and plenty of ideas! If you’re interested in studying games systems, or looking for talented student developers, they're in the Old Market Square all week so go and say hello.
Every day we'll have a dozen screens in the Old Market Square, on which indie developers, students, universities and other organisations will be showing games and assorted interesting stuff. What's on will change from day to day. Come down to play games, talk to developers, and challenge your friends.
Today:
Martin Raynsford is an expert in making cool stuff with a laser cutter.
Here's the proof.
For the entire Festival week, he's lending us his prototype - version one - of a laser cut, mechanical Donkey Kong.
MECHANICAL DONKEY KONG!
While Mario's movement is somewhat limited at the moment, it does feature ultra high-res plywood graphics. It's Donkey Kong in H-er D than you've ever seen it before, all controlled with a NES pad.
Meet Martin to talk about it on Saturday the 20th, and play it all week in the Old Market Square.
Yes, the Venus Patrol Training Facility, brought to you by videogame culture site Venus Patrol, founded by Brandon Boyer, will bring your wildest dreams to life as you sign up for the most awe inspiring marriage of physical and mental exertion.
The challenges (games) you’ll be facing are:
Get On Top / Pole Riders - Bennett Foddy
Proteus Frog God Mode - Ed Key & David Kanaga, mod by George Buckenham
Passing Time - Honeyslug
Johann Sebastian Joust - Die Gute Fabrik
Hokra - Ramiro Corbetta
BaraBariBall - Noah Sasso
MegaGIRP - Bennett Foddy, mod by Douglas Wilson
The Venus Patrol Training Facility will be open from 10am-5pm Monday-Friday (20-26th Oct) and 10am-2pm Saturday (27th) on the Old Market Square and played on a 13sqm screen, so everyone can see your preparation and ultimate victory.
Amber will be recruiting in the city. Take the time to meet your local contact, register your interest and obtain your Amber indentifier.
http://weareamber.com/
Embark upon an epic quest to unlock the secrets of LEGO The Lord of the Rings, with the first-ever UK showing of this incredible new LEGO game! From TT Games, makers of LEGO Star Wars, LEGO Indiana Jones, LEGO Harry Potter, comes the latest fun-filled adventure to combine the world's favourite toys with the world's favourite stories.
Head of Production Jonathan Smith will take you on an amazing tour of LEGO Middle Earth, packed with action and humour. Suitable for all ages - and particularly recommended for families.
A night of Retro consoles for all the family - hosted by the GamerDads Community.
Come and try out some of the original and best gaming platforms in the cozy surroundings of the Alley Cafe. We will have a selection of consoles on offer from the dawn of gaming - right up to the (almost) present day available to play. This is a chance to see the development of consoles over the years and try and beat your kids on your own level!
This event is free entry and family friendly.
(Proceeds both from the bar and from voluntary donations will go to SpecialEffect.org.uk – a charity helping children with disabilities have a better quality of life. For some, this means access to fun leisure activities like computer games. For others, it's giving them a voice at a time when they can’t even speak…)
The board game scene today is going supernova, with several incandescent ideas hitting the shelves every month. As an editor of UK board game review site Shut Up & Sit Down, Quintin Smith is at the heart of this supernova, like a baffled, sweaty astronaut. He's going to tell you what's happening, why, and get you very excited indeed.
"Renga is a feature-length crowd game for cinema screens that mixes new technology, adventure drama and a wry sense of humor. Ambushed and left for dead in deep space, our hero must carefully marshal their resources to build a new ship, confront their nemesis and finally return home. Only this hero isn’t visible on the screen – it’s the entire audience, working collectively to control the action using 100 laser pointers directed at the screen. Turning the traditional hero’s journey on its head, Renga asks the question – what if the ultimate reward can only be grasped by many hands?"
Team up with a big crowd at Broadway Cinema to take on the Renga challenge!
If you missed last year's amazing co-operative adventure on the big screen, now's your chance! Or if you've been dying to have another go, brilliant! Do it! Or if you just really like playing around with laser pointers, now's the time to go wild.
We called last year's event,
"One of the most compelling test-cases for collaborative interactivity"
Adults - £7.50
NUS/Concessions - £5.90
Children (under 12) - £3.50
Tickets available online or in person from Broadway's Box Office.
It's the most important meal of the day!
The sad fact is that all of us, one day, will be dust. All the people you've known, the pets you've loved, the houses you've lived in and, yes, the games you've played, will be gone.
Luckily, there are at least three people in the world who care enough to do something about it. They can't grant you immortality, bring back your hamster, of rebuild your childhood home, but they can preserve your games.
Maybe.
Come along to this lighthearted breakfast, order some toast and ponder your own mortality as those charged with saving games for future generations take your questions about what we should remember and how. This might be your last chance to convince them that your favourite horse grooming simulator should cheat death and be preserved forever.
Indie busking involves the transparent and open creation of a video game by students from Nottingham Trent University, exposing the development process to those interested in games but may not have an understanding of the process that goes into creating them. After taking a live brief from the GC masses – they will be hard at work all week in Antenna trying to make those ideas a reality. Join in, contribute, critique, distract or champion – they look forward to showing you their work in progress.
DevSoc are a friendly bunch of dedicated computing students from Nottingham Trent University. Come and play their award-winning games like Retro Revenge and find out more about how indie games are developed. From undergraduate to PhD students they have a wide range of skills and plenty of ideas! If you’re interested in studying games systems, or looking for talented student developers, they're in the Old Market Square all week so go and say hello.
Citygories is coming to Nottingham! Find designers Eleni and Alexandra all day on one of the Old Market Square screens, and sign up to play with your smartphone.
The game is an urban interpretation of the popular game of categories. A random letter of the alphabet is picked, the round begins and the players are called to spot and photograph elements seen in the city streets beginning with this letter matching the game’s predefined categories. At the end of each round the players gather up back to the starting point and the pictures taken are rated. Scoring system favors uniqueness, ingenuity and interaction between the players,the urban surroundings and citizens. The team/player with the highest score after five rounds is the winner.
Every day we'll have a dozen screens in the Old Market Square, on which indie developers, students, universities and other organisations will be showing games and assorted interesting stuff. What's on will change from day to day. Come down to play games, talk to developers, and challenge your friends.
Today:
Martin Raynsford is an expert in making cool stuff with a laser cutter.
Here's the proof.
For the entire Festival week, he's lending us his prototype - version one - of a laser cut, mechanical Donkey Kong.
MECHANICAL DONKEY KONG!
While Mario's movement is somewhat limited at the moment, it does feature ultra high-res plywood graphics. It's Donkey Kong in H-er D than you've ever seen it before, all controlled with a NES pad.
Meet Martin to talk about it on Saturday the 20th, and play it all week in the Old Market Square.
Yes, the Venus Patrol Training Facility, brought to you by videogame culture site Venus Patrol, founded by Brandon Boyer, will bring your wildest dreams to life as you sign up for the most awe inspiring marriage of physical and mental exertion.
The challenges (games) you’ll be facing are:
Get On Top / Pole Riders - Bennett Foddy
Proteus Frog God Mode - Ed Key & David Kanaga, mod by George Buckenham
Passing Time - Honeyslug
Johann Sebastian Joust - Die Gute Fabrik
Hokra - Ramiro Corbetta
BaraBariBall - Noah Sasso
MegaGIRP - Bennett Foddy, mod by Douglas Wilson
The Venus Patrol Training Facility will be open from 10am-5pm Monday-Friday (20-26th Oct) and 10am-2pm Saturday (27th) on the Old Market Square and played on a 13sqm screen, so everyone can see your preparation and ultimate victory.
Capsule Capsule is an exclusive theatrical presentation of Adam Saltsman’s latest title, tense space exploration adventurer, Capsule, featuring only at GameCity7 on the Old Market Square from 10am-5pm from October 22nd-27th.
Your mission will require you to undergo special training on Earth before stepping into a spaceship to explore the dark, cold confines of space, battling dwindling oxygen and power levels while searching for answers to a slowly unravelling mystery.
Sign up for your seat in the Capsule Capsule at the Venus Patrol area in the Old Market Square.
WARNING….
Capsule Capsule is a theatrical event with sensory deprivation elements taking place in a refrigerated area. Those of a nervous disposition, fear of dark/confined spaces or suffer from astrophobia are recommended to avoid this event.
Amber will be recruiting in the city. Take the time to meet your local contact, register your interest and obtain your Amber indentifier.
http://weareamber.com/
Opportunities to bring gaming for new audiences -- and revisit classic design forms -- abound in the age of mobile and social media. Game industry journalist and critic Leigh Alexander looks at the climate of possibility, and how experimental designers, from new indies to veterans, inherit the mantle of reinvention in a casual presentation.
Minecraft is a phenomena.
One of the most popular, acclaimed and creative videogames ever to be released. These sessions will bring you a new perspective on this amazing game. Created by the team from Minecraft EDU, an international team of educators and programmers working directly with Mojang, get ready to experience Minecraft in a whole new way!
There's LOTS more information about Minecraft EDU on their website: http://minecraftedu.com/
Sign up for this session using the ticket link below.
Text adventures are games which are about interacting with a story, which is why they are sometimes known as "interactive fiction". They were the very first type of computer game, in an age before graphics. Alex Warren is bringing them up to date, to web browsers and smartphones with the free "Quest" software, available at www.textadventures.co.uk.
In this workshop, no prior knowledge is required - you don't need to have played or even have heard of text adventures before, and you don't need to know how to program. Alex will be giving an introduction to text adventures, we'll be playing some as a group, and then we'll start creating our own games. All you need is your imagination!
Night Zookeeper is a cross curricular project for children. They take part in the unique experience of meeting the Night Zookeeper himself and hear his stories at first hand.
Children are immersed in the world of the Night Zookeeper through integrated activities such as painting, creative writing, i-Pad drawing and Drama. They create their own magical animals and invent their own games (missions) for their friends to play.
By participating in the adventures of the Night Zookeeper children paint, draw, sing and play their way through an ever evolving online game designed by children all around the world. The Night Zoo seeks to show children that, like a pencil or a crayon, the World Wide Web is a tool for creative expression and not just a destination for mindless entertainment.
Mike Bithell, creator of Thomas Was Alone, is joining us every day at GameCity7 for a series of events featuring a team of friendly faces who’ll offer advice on a different subject every day.
Today, indie videogame journalist pioneer Brandon Boyer will be giving Mike candid advice on promotion. Ever wanted to get the whole world talking about your game? Let's find out how...
Mike is sure to have questions - hope you will have too!
Four years ago, almost to the second, give or take a couple of days, the National Videogame Archive was launched. In this session, James Newman, one of the co-founders of the NVA, talks about the challenges of preserving games and gameplay and what the team have learned about preserving games as part of the national cultural heritage over the last 1460 days (approximately).
What can we save, what should we save, what should we forget, who should decide, what are the impacts of digital distribution and the second hand market, what is the value of emulation, and does any of this stuff really matter anyway? A
ll these and many more questions will be asked with some, or fewer, being answered. Joining James on stage will be Henry Lowood from Stanford University whose work on the Preserving Virtual Worlds project and the IGDA game preservation group puts him at the forefront of US game preservation. Videogames are disappearing, come along and help us save them, before it's too late...
Minecraft is a phenomena.
One of the most popular, acclaimed and creative videogames ever to be released. These sessions will bring you a new perspective on this amazing game. Created by the team from Minecraft EDU, an international team of educators and programmers working directly with Mojang, get ready to experience Minecraft in a whole new way!
There's LOTS more information about Minecraft EDU on their website: http://minecraftedu.com/
Sign up for this session using the ticket link below.
Text adventures are games which are about interacting with a story, which is why they are sometimes known as "interactive fiction". They were the very first type of computer game, in an age before graphics. Alex Warren is bringing them up to date, to web browsers and smartphones with the free "Quest" software, available at www.textadventures.co.uk.
In this workshop, no prior knowledge is required - you don't need to have played or even have heard of text adventures before, and you don't need to know how to program. Alex will be giving an introduction to text adventures, we'll be playing some as a group, and then we'll start creating our own games. All you need is your imagination!
Two of the UK's finest comics (and games) writers are visting GameCity7 to impart wisdom, share stories, and sign some books (or whatever is thrust before them).
In this Q+A session, Kieron Gillen and Antony Johnston will answer your questions about their craft and discuss the differences, similarities and challenges of writing for comics and videogames.
Kieron is best known for writing Uncanny X-men and Phonogram and for founding the site to go to for PC gaming news Rock, Paper, Shotgun.
Antony is an award-winning, New York Times bestselling author of graphic novels, video games and books, with titles including Wasteland, Daredevil, The Coldest City, Deadspace and the forthcoming ZombiU.
Don't forget, that on Tuesday Kieron and Antony will be at Page 45 to sign your stuff! For more information click here.
Presented in association with Page 45.
DECOMPRESSED is the world's premier comics craft podcast. Or, at least, the premier comics craft podcast which is hosted by Kieron Gillen (Uncanny X-men, Journey Into Mystery, Phonogram) and a series of guests, each of whom pick over the minutiae of a recently released issue. This is a rare chance to see DECOMPRESSED live, and its HOT! COMIC CRAFT! CHAT! At the very least, see the bits Kieron cuts because they're inevitably too libelous.
Kieron Gillen was an award winning games journalist and critic, until he got bored of doing that. Now he's an award winning comics writer. He's not bored yet.
Presented in association with Page 45.
Day 1 of the Interactive Technologies And Games Conference begins!
Register from 08:30-09:15am at Nottingham Conference Centre.
Book your attendance at ITAG here: NTU Online Store
It's the most important meal of the day!
Once again, the GameCity Breakfasts are here to set you up for a full day of festival-going with coffee, food and argumentative company.
Today's GameCity Breakfast is hosted by Venus Patrol.
Indie busking involves the transparent and open creation of a video game by students from Nottingham Trent University, exposing the development process to those interested in games but may not have an understanding of the process that goes into creating them. After taking a live brief from the GC masses – they will be hard at work all week in Antenna trying to make those ideas a reality. Join in, contribute, critique, distract or champion – they look forward to showing you their work in progress.
Professor Nasser Sherkat, Acting Dean, School of Science and Technology introduces the Interactive Technologies And Games Conference.
Adams Room.
Book your attendance at ITAG here: NTU Online Store
Keynote speaker – Professor Pamela Kato: The games and gamification in revolutionizing healthcare: Risks and benefits
Adams Room.
Book your attendance at ITAG here: NTU Online Store
Media Molecule say: "Hello. We made LittleBigPlanet for PlayStation 3. We recently announced our new game for PS Vita, Tearaway - an adventure game set in a magical papery world! (tearaway.mediamolecule.com)
We can't show much of the game yet, it's too early, but as Tearaway's art style is very papery, we've been playing around and making lots of things with paper recently, and we thought you might like to too!"
Join Media Molecule, all day Tuesday in the Market Square, and make yourself a fine paper elk.
DevSoc are a friendly bunch of dedicated computing students from Nottingham Trent University. Come and play their award-winning games like Retro Revenge and find out more about how indie games are developed. From undergraduate to PhD students they have a wide range of skills and plenty of ideas! If you’re interested in studying games systems, or looking for talented student developers, they're in the Old Market Square all week so go and say hello.
Every day we'll have a dozen screens in the Old Market Square, on which indie developers, students, universities and other organisations will be showing games and assorted interesting stuff. What's on will change from day to day. Come down to play games, talk to developers, and challenge your friends.
Today:
Martin Raynsford is an expert in making cool stuff with a laser cutter.
Here's the proof.
For the entire Festival week, he's lending us his prototype - version one - of a laser cut, mechanical Donkey Kong.
MECHANICAL DONKEY KONG!
While Mario's movement is somewhat limited at the moment, it does feature ultra high-res plywood graphics. It's Donkey Kong in H-er D than you've ever seen it before, all controlled with a NES pad.
Meet Martin to talk about it on Saturday the 20th, and play it all week in the Old Market Square.
On Tuesday the 23rd, The Racing Room are taking their HUGE mobile track into the Game City marquee in the Market Square. This event is free to play and will be there all day.
Beyond that, throughout GameCity The Racing Room is throwing open it's doors for all to come and have a race on the massive, landscaped and detailed, permanent Scalextric track at the Sir John Borlase Warren, Canning Circus.
6 cars can be on the track at any one time, change lanes and with some crafty nerdery, your race timings are fully computerised and on display on the leader board.
From Wednesday through to Saturday night, pop in and race your friends. All ages welcome. £1.50 per driver (3 mins Qualifying and a 20 lap race).
Yes, the Venus Patrol Training Facility, brought to you by videogame culture site Venus Patrol, founded by Brandon Boyer, will bring your wildest dreams to life as you sign up for the most awe inspiring marriage of physical and mental exertion.
The challenges (games) you’ll be facing are:
Get On Top / Pole Riders - Bennett Foddy
Proteus Frog God Mode - Ed Key & David Kanaga, mod by George Buckenham
Passing Time - Honeyslug
Johann Sebastian Joust - Die Gute Fabrik
Hokra - Ramiro Corbetta
BaraBariBall - Noah Sasso
MegaGIRP - Bennett Foddy, mod by Douglas Wilson
The Venus Patrol Training Facility will be open from 10am-5pm Monday-Friday (20-26th Oct) and 10am-2pm Saturday (27th) on the Old Market Square and played on a 13sqm screen, so everyone can see your preparation and ultimate victory.
Capsule Capsule is an exclusive theatrical presentation of Adam Saltsman’s latest title, tense space exploration adventurer, Capsule, featuring only at GameCity7 on the Old Market Square from 10am-5pm from October 22nd-27th.
Your mission will require you to undergo special training on Earth before stepping into a spaceship to explore the dark, cold confines of space, battling dwindling oxygen and power levels while searching for answers to a slowly unravelling mystery.
Sign up for your seat in the Capsule Capsule at the Venus Patrol area in the Old Market Square.
WARNING….
Capsule Capsule is a theatrical event with sensory deprivation elements taking place in a refrigerated area. Those of a nervous disposition, fear of dark/confined spaces or suffer from astrophobia are recommended to avoid this event.
Amber will be recruiting in the city. Take the time to meet your local contact, register your interest and obtain your Amber indentifier.
http://weareamber.com/
Live graffiti with world renowned graffiti artist Dilk. A glimpse into political aspects of graffiti.
Who are Amber?
http://weareamber.com/
Integrating serious games in the educational experience of students with intellectual disabilities: towards a playful and integrative model.
Adams Room.
Book your attendance at ITAG here: NTU Online Store
Second-hand masculinity: Do boys with intellectual disabilities use computer games to pursue a masculine ideal?
Bowden Room.
Book your attendance at ITAG here: NTU Online Store
You look down this program, see the array of Interactive Fiction Workshops and are thinking something like "Why should I give two monkeys about Interactive Fiction?"? In this personal journey through this texual part of gaming, you'll discover you should give as many monkeys as you're able to gather about Interactive Fiction.
Join Kieron Gillen and he promises not to sit down and sing about gold. Or maybe he will. He's tricky to predict.
Minecraft is a phenomena.
One of the most popular, acclaimed and creative videogames ever to be released. These sessions will bring you a new perspective on this amazing game. Created by the team from Minecraft EDU, an international team of educators and programmers working directly with Mojang, get ready to experience Minecraft in a whole new way!
There's LOTS more information about Minecraft EDU on their website: http://minecraftedu.com/
Sign up for this session using the ticket link below.
ViPi desktop and mobile games to develop ICT skills for people with disabilities
Adams Room.
Book your attendance at ITAG here: NTU Online Store
Working with migrants and refugees to develop games to tackle discrimination in the workplace
Bowden Room.
Book your attendance at ITAG here: NTU Online Store
Night Zookeeper is a cross curricular project for children. They take part in the unique experience of meeting the Night Zookeeper himself and hear his stories at first hand.
Children are immersed in the world of the Night Zookeeper through integrated activities such as painting, creative writing, i-Pad drawing and Drama. They create their own magical animals and invent their own games (missions) for their friends to play.
By participating in the adventures of the Night Zookeeper children paint, draw, sing and play their way through an ever evolving online game designed by children all around the world. The Night Zoo seeks to show children that, like a pencil or a crayon, the World Wide Web is a tool for creative expression and not just a destination for mindless entertainment.
Using audio-visual games to improve the understanding of degraded speech
Adams Room.
Book your attendance at ITAG here: NTU Online Store
Is it a disability thing? Community interactions and the BBC’s Ouch!
Bowden Room.
Book your attendance at ITAG here: NTU Online Store
Female Video Game Players: A Different Type of Player?
Bowden Room.
Book your attendance at ITAG here: NTU Online Store
Pirates, Firemen and Ninjas: Enhancing a location aware travel training tool
Adams Room.
Book your attendance at ITAG here: NTU Online Store
You know Mozilla? They’re the people that make the brilliant open-source web browser Firefox, amongst other amazing projects.
All day Tuesday they’re going to be running drop-in sessions for their ‘Thimble’ set of web maker tools.
Come along and see the AMAZING things they can do!
MORE: Means, Opportunities, Reasons and Expectations
Bowden Room.
Book your attendance at ITAG here: NTU Online Store
The All Abilities ePlayground - Innovative interaction design for children with a disability
Adams Room.
Book your attendance at ITAG here: NTU Online Store
Mike Bithell, creator of Thomas Was Alone, is joining us every day at GameCity7 for a series of events featuring a team of friendly faces who’ll offer advice on a different subject every day.
In this installment Mike is especially lucky as he gets STEREO advice. He's going to listen intently as wisdom is dispensed about writing from acclaimed, award winning writers Kieron Gillen and Antony Johnston.
Mike is sure to have questions - hope you will have too!
Keynote speaker – Dr Mark Griffiths: The role of context in online gaming playing: Implications for education, therapeutic intervention, and addiction
Adams Room.
Book your attendance at ITAG here: NTU Online Store
A Brain Control Interface for the Dasher Text Entry System
Bowden Room.
Book your attendance at ITAG here: NTU Online Store
Approaches to movement therapy and their relevance to the design of interactive rehabilitation systems
Adams Room.
Book your attendance at ITAG here: NTU Online Store
Minecraft is a phenomena.
One of the most popular, acclaimed and creative videogames ever to be released. These sessions will bring you a new perspective on this amazing game. Created by the team from Minecraft EDU, an international team of educators and programmers working directly with Mojang, get ready to experience Minecraft in a whole new way!
There's LOTS more information about Minecraft EDU on their website: http://minecraftedu.com/
Sign up for this session using the ticket link below.
Award-winning writer Antony Johnston is a veteran of comics and games,
working on titles from DAREDEVIL to DEAD SPACE, and has a unique
perspective on both industries. 'Comics to Consoles' has grown from a
GDC lecture into a talk Antony now delivers to game studios around the
world. Join him to discover what games can learn from comics, why
movies are a bad template to copy, and how you can apply comic writing
skills to games.
Presented in association with Page 45.
Text adventures are games which are about interacting with a story, which is why they are sometimes known as "interactive fiction". They were the very first type of computer game, in an age before graphics. Alex Warren is bringing them up to date, to web browsers and smartphones with the free "Quest" software, available at www.textadventures.co.uk.
In this workshop, no prior knowledge is required - you don't need to have played or even have heard of text adventures before, and you don't need to know how to program. Alex will be giving an introduction to text adventures, we'll be playing some as a group, and then we'll start creating our own games. All you need is your imagination!
Overcoming the Barriers to Uptake - A Study Of 6 Danish Health-Based Serious Games Projects
Adams Room.
Book your attendance at ITAG here: NTU Online Store
Semantic Web embraces inclusion in learning with enhanced discovery of accessible learning objects
Bowden Room.
Book your attendance here: NTU Online Store
Interactive Urinals?! Gamificaion to Nudge Consumer Behaviour in Social Contexts
Adams Room.
Book your attendance here: NTU Online Store
Modelling AT systems using representation techniques from Serious Games
Bowden Room.
Book your attendance here: NTU Online Store
What do game writers do? WHY have cinematic cut-scenes in games? WHY hasn't Avatar-style Motion Capture made them all good? WHY can getting better at Film/TV screenwriting actually make things worse for game writers? Splash Damage Lead Writer Ed Stern spills his brains all over you, revealing how things get done, where they go wrong, and what can be done about it.
Two of the UK's finest comics (and games) writers are visting GameCity7 to impart wisdom, share stories, and sign some books (or whatever is thrust before them).
Hosted by the amazing Page 45, Keiron Gillen and Antony Johnston will follow their appearance in a few GameCity events by parking up in the World's best comic shop and scribbling on your stuff!
For more about this event visit www.page45.com.
Keiron is best known for writing Uncanny X-men and Phonogram and for founding the site to go to for PC gaming news Rock, Paper, Shotgun.
Antony is an award-winning, New York Times bestselling author of graphic novels, video games and books, with titles including Wasteland, Daredevil, The Coldest City, Deadspace and the forthcoming ZombiU.
Day 2 of the Interactive Technologies And Games Conference begins!
Register from 09.00-09:30am at Nottingham Conference Centre.
Book your attendance here: NTU Online Store
It's the most important meal of the day!
Once again, the GameCity Breakfasts are here to set you up for a full day of festival-going with coffee, food and argumentative company.
Today's GameCity Breakfast host is Edge magazine's Richard Keith!
Indie busking involves the transparent and open creation of a video game by students from Nottingham Trent University, exposing the development process to those interested in games but may not have an understanding of the process that goes into creating them. After taking a live brief from the GC masses – they will be hard at work all week in Antenna trying to make those ideas a reality. Join in, contribute, critique, distract or champion – they look forward to showing you their work in progress.
Keynote Speaker – Professor Monica Whitty: Is all virtual play psychologically healthy?
Adams Room.
Book your attendance at ITAG here: NTU Online Store
A shared design: Facilitation approach to co-designing games for learning
Bowden Room.
Book your attendance at ITAG here: NTU Online Store
Spatial Mental Models and Navigation Support Apps for People who are Blind – a Case Study
Adams Room.
Book your attendance at ITAG here: NTU Online Store
DevSoc are a friendly bunch of dedicated computing students from Nottingham Trent University. Come and play their award-winning games like Retro Revenge and find out more about how indie games are developed. From undergraduate to PhD students they have a wide range of skills and plenty of ideas! If you’re interested in studying games systems, or looking for talented student developers, they're in the Old Market Square all week so go and say hello.
Every day we'll have a dozen screens in the Old Market Square, on which indie developers, students, universities and other organisations will be showing games and assorted interesting stuff. What's on will change from day to day. Come down to play games, talk to developers, and challenge your friends.
Today:
Martin Raynsford is an expert in making cool stuff with a laser cutter.
Here's the proof.
For the entire Festival week, he's lending us his prototype - version one - of a laser cut, mechanical Donkey Kong.
MECHANICAL DONKEY KONG!
While Mario's movement is somewhat limited at the moment, it does feature ultra high-res plywood graphics. It's Donkey Kong in H-er D than you've ever seen it before, all controlled with a NES pad.
Meet Martin to talk about it on Saturday the 20th, and play it all week in the Old Market Square.
Yes, the Venus Patrol Training Facility, brought to you by videogame culture site Venus Patrol, founded by Brandon Boyer, will bring your wildest dreams to life as you sign up for the most awe inspiring marriage of physical and mental exertion.
The challenges (games) you’ll be facing are:
Get On Top / Pole Riders - Bennett Foddy
Proteus Frog God Mode - Ed Key & David Kanaga, mod by George Buckenham
Passing Time - Honeyslug
Johann Sebastian Joust - Die Gute Fabrik
Hokra - Ramiro Corbetta
BaraBariBall - Noah Sasso
MegaGIRP - Bennett Foddy, mod by Douglas Wilson
The Venus Patrol Training Facility will be open from 10am-5pm Monday-Friday (20-26th Oct) and 10am-2pm Saturday (27th) on the Old Market Square and played on a 13sqm screen, so everyone can see your preparation and ultimate victory.
Capsule Capsule is an exclusive theatrical presentation of Adam Saltsman’s latest title, tense space exploration adventurer, Capsule, featuring only at GameCity7 on the Old Market Square from 10am-5pm from October 22nd-27th.
Your mission will require you to undergo special training on Earth before stepping into a spaceship to explore the dark, cold confines of space, battling dwindling oxygen and power levels while searching for answers to a slowly unravelling mystery.
Sign up for your seat in the Capsule Capsule at the Venus Patrol area in the Old Market Square.
WARNING….
Capsule Capsule is a theatrical event with sensory deprivation elements taking place in a refrigerated area. Those of a nervous disposition, fear of dark/confined spaces or suffer from astrophobia are recommended to avoid this event.
Amber will be recruiting in the city. Take the time to meet your local contact, register your interest and obtain your Amber indentifier.
http://weareamber.com/
Evaluation of route learning software on Android for people with disabilities
Adams Room.
Book your attendance at ITAG here: NTU Online Store
Making learning fun: Participatory design of multimedia interactive educational videos for first time hearing aid users
Bowden Room.
Book your attendance at ITAG here: NTU Online Store
Hundreds : Patience and Persistence
Semi Secret and Aeiowu's new iOS game Hundreds is the product of a year long experimental collaboration. Adam Saltsman talks about the team's process through creating the game, expanding it, refining it, and eventually trying to solve the problem of how to communicate what the game is about to the world at large.
A unique behind-the-scenes look at the puzzle design and underlying philosophy of the game, with minimal spoilers.
Minecraft is a phenomena.
One of the most popular, acclaimed and creative videogames ever to be released. These sessions will bring you a new perspective on this amazing game. Created by the team from Minecraft EDU, an international team of educators and programmers working directly with Mojang, get ready to experience Minecraft in a whole new way!
There's LOTS more information about Minecraft EDU on their website: http://minecraftedu.com/
Sign up for this session using the ticket link below.
Text adventures are games which are about interacting with a story, which is why they are sometimes known as "interactive fiction". They were the very first type of computer game, in an age before graphics. Alex Warren is bringing them up to date, to web browsers and smartphones with the free "Quest" software, available at www.textadventures.co.uk.
In this workshop, no prior knowledge is required - you don't need to have played or even have heard of text adventures before, and you don't need to know how to program. Alex will be giving an introduction to text adventures, we'll be playing some as a group, and then we'll start creating our own games. All you need is your imagination!
Inclusive design to develop a serious game for people with intellectual disabilities.
Bowden Room.
Book your attendance here: NTU Online Store
PR:EPARe: Developing Practitioner and Student Motivation in Relationship and Sex Education (RSE), through a Game Based Learning Approach
Bowden Room.
Book your attendance here: NTU Online Store
Using Kinect for markerless upper limb tracking as an input method for virtual reality games for stroke rehabilitation – a proof of concept implementation
Adams Room.
Book your attendance here: NTU Online Store
Comparisons of Interaction Techniques between Stroke Survivors and Healthy Subjects in a Haptic Collaborative Task
Adams Room.
Book your attendance here: NTU Online Store
Real-Time Biometric Data Monitoring in Games: Using Player Heart Rate to Drive Game Experience
Bowden Room.
Book your attendance at ITAG here: NTU Online Store
Mozilla invites you to imagine how next-generation web technologies can revolutionize the way we make and play games. We are building a community of game makers; developers, designers, educators and youth who want to re-imagine players as makers of games and games as hackable; games that let their players remix, fork and share to their heart’s content. Join us for a lively discussion on hackable games and demoing some of Mozilla's latest gaming tools.
Workshop: Using Assistive Technologies to Make Music
Bowden Room.
Book your attendance at ITAG here: NTU Online Store
Phil Fish joins us from...THE FUTURE.
Celebrating the 15th anniversary of the release of the seminal downloadable classic FEZ, game designer Phil Fish walks you down memory lane with a retrospective of the last 15 years of videogame history.
Phil says/said/is going to say(?),
“When I visited GameCity 15 years ago, it redefined what a game festival could be. I couldn’t be more excited to teleport back to Neo-Nottingham so many years later and see how things have changed.”
We can't wait to hear about how things have changed in all that time. Hopefully for the better!
This is a special TEACHERS ONLY session!*
Minecraft is a phenomena. One of the most popular, acclaimed and creative videogames ever to be released. These sessions will bring you a new perspective on this amazing game as a place to learn within.
Every day, more and more teachers in classrooms all around the World are using Minecraft to engage and educate - now you can too!
MinecraftEdu is the collaboration of a small team of educators and programmers from the United States and Finland. We are working with Mojang AB of Sweden, the creators of Minecraft, to make the game affordable and accessible to schools everywhere.
There's LOTS more information on the Minecraft EDU website: http://minecraftedu.com/
Sign up for this session using the ticket link below to discover how Minecraft can benefit learning in YOUR classroom.
*If you're not a teacher, don't worry, there's plenty of other Minecraft EDU sessions available throughout the week and a Minecraft area in the Old Market Square
Text adventures are games which are about interacting with a story, which is why they are sometimes known as "interactive fiction". They were the very first type of computer game, in an age before graphics. Alex Warren is bringing them up to date, to web browsers and smartphones with the free "Quest" software, available at www.textadventures.co.uk.
In this workshop, no prior knowledge is required - you don't need to have played or even have heard of text adventures before, and you don't need to know how to program. Alex will be giving an introduction to text adventures, we'll be playing some as a group, and then we'll start creating our own games. All you need is your imagination!
Can a home based virtual reality system improve the opportunity for rehabilitation of the upper limb following stroke?
Adams Rooms.
Book your attendance here: NTU Online Store
Virtual Reality and Patient Recovery/well-being
Bowden Room.
Book your attendance here: NTU Online Store
Who's going to win?
The anticipation of the 2012 GameCity Prize award approaches fever-pitch as IGN's Keza MacDonald talks you through the nominations and invites your opinions with some special guests at a live podcast recording.
It's the most important meal of the day!
Once again, the GameCity Breakfasts are here to set you up for a full day of festival-going with coffee, food and argumentative company.
Today's GameCity Breakfast is hosted by the Guardian Games Blog.
Indie busking involves the transparent and open creation of a video game by students from Nottingham Trent University, exposing the development process to those interested in games but may not have an understanding of the process that goes into creating them. After taking a live brief from the GC masses – they will be hard at work all week in Antenna trying to make those ideas a reality. Join in, contribute, critique, distract or champion – they look forward to showing you their work in progress.
The Game Maker's Apprentice
These workshops will give a basic introduction to using the Game Maker development tool to quickly create simple 2D games. Attend this crash course in using the free version of this game development tool and download it for yourself from the YoYoGames website afterwards. Game Maker games can be turned into games for the iPhone/iPad and Android platforms using the professional, "Studio" version of Game Maker.
This session is suitable for ages 10+ only!
Dr. Jacob Habgood
A former games industry professional, Jake is senior lecturer in game development at Sheffield Hallam University and the author of two hobbyist books on game programming. He has been teaching game making workshops for children since the very first GameCity event and has recently taken over as director of the Games Britannia festival which provides a week of game development workshops for schools from all over the UK.
Citygories is coming to Nottingham! Find designers Eleni and Alexandra on one of the Old Market Square screens, and sign up to play with your smartphone.
The game is an urban interpretation of the popular game of categories. A random letter of the alphabet is picked, the round begins and the players are called to spot and photograph elements seen in the city streets beginning with this letter matching the game’s predefined categories. At the end of each round the players gather up back to the starting point and the pictures taken are rated. Scoring system favors uniqueness, ingenuity and interaction between the players,the urban surroundings and citizens. The team/player with the highest score after five rounds is the winner.
Spend time working with artists to create placards to protest the use of GM foods to control populations, then join Amber and protest The Friendliness Trust: corporation or culprit?
The Malthusian Paradox is an ARG (Alternate Reality Game) that can be played on line and in real life. Its like being right inside a thriller where you are one of the characters. The game will take participants on a breathless journey through a world of intrigue, mystery and surprise. They will solve clues, interact with characters and events and become part of a global audience that works together to save the world. They will be able to interact with the game by email, telephone, twitter and also in person at various live events.
http://weareamber.com
DevSoc are a friendly bunch of dedicated computing students from Nottingham Trent University. Come and play their award-winning games like Retro Revenge and find out more about how indie games are developed. From undergraduate to PhD students they have a wide range of skills and plenty of ideas! If you’re interested in studying games systems, or looking for talented student developers, they're in the Old Market Square all week so go and say hello.
Every day we'll have a dozen screens in the Old Market Square, on which indie developers, students, universities and other organisations will be showing games and assorted interesting stuff. What's on will change from day to day. Come down to play games, talk to developers, and challenge your friends.
Today:
Martin Raynsford is an expert in making cool stuff with a laser cutter.
Here's the proof.
For the entire Festival week, he's lending us his prototype - version one - of a laser cut, mechanical Donkey Kong.
MECHANICAL DONKEY KONG!
While Mario's movement is somewhat limited at the moment, it does feature ultra high-res plywood graphics. It's Donkey Kong in H-er D than you've ever seen it before, all controlled with a NES pad.
Meet Martin to talk about it on Saturday the 20th, and play it all week in the Old Market Square.
Yes, the Venus Patrol Training Facility, brought to you by videogame culture site Venus Patrol, founded by Brandon Boyer, will bring your wildest dreams to life as you sign up for the most awe inspiring marriage of physical and mental exertion.
The challenges (games) you’ll be facing are:
Get On Top / Pole Riders - Bennett Foddy
Proteus Frog God Mode - Ed Key & David Kanaga, mod by George Buckenham
Passing Time - Honeyslug
Johann Sebastian Joust - Die Gute Fabrik
Hokra - Ramiro Corbetta
BaraBariBall - Noah Sasso
MegaGIRP - Bennett Foddy, mod by Douglas Wilson
The Venus Patrol Training Facility will be open from 10am-5pm Monday-Friday (20-26th Oct) and 10am-2pm Saturday (27th) on the Old Market Square and played on a 13sqm screen, so everyone can see your preparation and ultimate victory.
Capsule Capsule is an exclusive theatrical presentation of Adam Saltsman’s latest title, tense space exploration adventurer, Capsule, featuring only at GameCity7 on the Old Market Square from 10am-5pm from October 22nd-27th.
Your mission will require you to undergo special training on Earth before stepping into a spaceship to explore the dark, cold confines of space, battling dwindling oxygen and power levels while searching for answers to a slowly unravelling mystery.
Sign up for your seat in the Capsule Capsule at the Venus Patrol area in the Old Market Square.
WARNING….
Capsule Capsule is a theatrical event with sensory deprivation elements taking place in a refrigerated area. Those of a nervous disposition, fear of dark/confined spaces or suffer from astrophobia are recommended to avoid this event.
Amber will be recruiting in the city. Take the time to meet your local contact, register your interest and obtain your Amber indentifier.
http://weareamber.com/
Creating a videogame based on an already beloved TV show isn't a task for the faint-hearted...
How do you make it work for people who don't know the show as well as those that do?
How do you decide what kind of game it should be?
How do you satisfy ALL THOSE MERLIN FANS?!?!
Luckily, Bossa Studios, creators of the BAFTA award winning 'Monstermind' are made of especially strong stuff..
Join them for this never-before-seen glimpse into the magic behind their forthcoming videogame, 'Merlin' and learn about storytelling, design, audiences, tough decisions - and what it really takes to make Camelot playable.
Minecraft is a phenomena.
One of the most popular, acclaimed and creative videogames ever to be released. These sessions will bring you a new perspective on this amazing game. Created by the team from Minecraft EDU, an international team of educators and programmers working directly with Mojang, get ready to experience Minecraft in a whole new way!
There's LOTS more information about Minecraft EDU on their website: http://minecraftedu.com/
Sign up for this session using the ticket link below.
Mike Bithell, creator of Thomas Was Alone, is joining us every day at GameCity7 for a series of events featuring a team of friendly faces who’ll offer advice on a different subject every day.
In this installment Mike learns all about ART!
Adam Saltsman and Paul Veer sit down with Mike and talk about all things artistic and aesthetically pleasing.
The Game Maker's Apprentice
These workshops will give a basic introduction to using the Game Maker development tool to quickly create simple 2D games. Attend this crash course in using the free version of this game development tool and download it for yourself from the YoYoGames website afterwards. Game Maker games can be turned into games for the iPhone/iPad and Android platforms using the professional, "Studio" version of Game Maker.
Tis session is suitable for ages 12+ only!
Dr. Jacob Habgood
A former games industry professional, Jake is senior lecturer in game development at Sheffield Hallam University and the author of two hobbyist books on game programming. He has been teaching game making workshops for children since the very first Game City event and has recently taken over as director of the Games Britannia festival which provides a week of game development workshops for schools from all over the UK.
Super Hexagon is a videogame on the app store.
It's loved, it's addictive, it's acclaimed - it's also insanely difficult - inspiring fierce competition amongst its players.
One of Super Hexagon's biggest fans and top players, EDGE magazine features editor Jason Killingsworth - will be coming face to face with its creator Terry Cavanagh armed with questions about its conception, creation and merciless design.
Terry also takes pains to ensure that he's always at, or near the top of the Super Hexagon high-score table provoking fierce competition between the creator and his players. Following this session, Terry will be challenging you all (not least Jason, also an expert player) to a Super Hexagon tournament on the festival big screen.
Minecraft is a phenomena.
One of the most popular, acclaimed and creative videogames ever to be released. These sessions will bring you a new perspective on this amazing game. Created by the team from Minecraft EDU, an international team of educators and programmers working directly with Mojang, get ready to experience Minecraft in a whole new way!
There's LOTS more information about Minecraft EDU on their website: http://minecraftedu.com/
Sign up for this session using the ticket link below.
The Game Maker's Apprentice
These workshops will give a basic introduction to using the Game Maker development tool to quickly create simple 2D games. Attend this crash course in using the free version of this game development tool and download it for yourself from the YoYoGames website afterwards. Game Maker games can be turned into games for the iPhone/iPad and Android platforms using the professional, "Studio" version of Game Maker.
This session is suitable for ages 14+ only!
Dr. Jacob Habgood
A former games industry professional, Jake is senior lecturer in game development at Sheffield Hallam University and the author of two hobbyist books on game programming. He has been teaching game making workshops for children since the very first Game City event and has recently taken over as director of the Games Britannia festival which provides a week of game development workshops for schools from all over the UK.
Following the session 'The Six Sides Of Terry Cavanagh', Terry will be challenging Jason Killingsworth (and then all of you) to a Super Hexagon tournament on the festival big screen.
Get practising folks!
Seriously. He's really good at it. He did make it, after all.
Another addition to our series of LIVE performances of the World's most beautiful games.
Following playthroughs of Flower and Journey at previous GameCity festivals, Proteus creator Ed Key will take us on a trip through the seasons of their GameCity Prize shortlisted game with co-creator & composer David Kanaga performing the blissful soundtrack (for want of a better word) live.
Don't miss this!
Food will be available for a small price at the venue.
The Racing Room is throwing open it's doors throughout Game City for all to come and have a race on the massive, landscaped and detailed, permanent Scalextric track at the Sir John Borlase Warren, Canning Circus.
6 cars can be on the track at any one time, change lanes and with some crafty nerdery, your race timings are fully computerised and on display on the leader board.
Tuesday night is the regular Race Night, 8pm onwards. Compete in a series of races to win impressive medals. £4 per driver to enter (over 18’s only).
From Wednesday through to Saturday night, pop in and race your friends. All ages welcome. £1.50 per driver (3 mins Qualifying and a 20 lap race).
They’re back! Following the runaway success of One Song Left last year, festival favourites and performers of the best loved videogame podcast in the English speaking world, One Life Left crash back into GameCity to deliver an evening of surprises.
This time, they've got their own bar. Expect special guest DJs, cocktails, madness and not a lot of sleep.
Have a coffee before you get here. This will go on late…
It's the most important meal of the day!
Once again, the GameCity Breakfasts are here to set you up for a full day of festival-going with coffee, food and argumentative company.
Today's GameCity Breakfast is hosted by Gamasutra.
Cyclepong is a unique hand-made arcade machine that combines the classic video tennis game "Pong" with fun of cycling. Forget twiching your fingers and rattle the pedals to move your bat. You'll never look at an exercise bike the same way again. Great fun for kids and adults.
For more information, visit http://ignitionpopupshop.wordpress.com/
Indie busking involves the transparent and open creation of a video game by students from Nottingham Trent University, exposing the development process to those interested in games but may not have an understanding of the process that goes into creating them. After taking a live brief from the GC masses – they will be hard at work all week in Antenna trying to make those ideas a reality. Join in, contribute, critique, distract or champion – they look forward to showing you their work in progress.
The Game Maker's Apprentice
These workshops will give a basic introduction to using the Game Maker development tool to quickly create simple 2D games. Attend this crash course in using the free version of this game development tool and download it for yourself from the YoYoGames website afterwards. Game Maker games can be turned into games for the iPhone/iPad and Android platforms using the professional, "Studio" version of Game Maker.
This session is suitable for ages 10+ only!
Dr. Jacob Habgood
A former games industry professional, Jake is senior lecturer in game development at Sheffield Hallam University and the author of two hobbyist books on game programming. He has been teaching game making workshops for children since the very first Game City event and has recently taken over as director of the Games Britannia festival which provides a week of game development workshops for schools from all over the UK.
DevSoc are a friendly bunch of dedicated computing students from Nottingham Trent University. Come and play their award-winning games like Retro Revenge and find out more about how indie games are developed. From undergraduate to PhD students they have a wide range of skills and plenty of ideas! If you’re interested in studying games systems, or looking for talented student developers, they're in the Old Market Square all week so go and say hello.
Every day we'll have a dozen screens in the Old Market Square, on which indie developers, students, universities and other organisations will be showing games and assorted interesting stuff. What's on will change from day to day. Come down to play games, talk to developers, and challenge your friends.
Today:
Martin Raynsford is an expert in making cool stuff with a laser cutter.
Here's the proof.
For the entire Festival week, he's lending us his prototype - version one - of a laser cut, mechanical Donkey Kong.
MECHANICAL DONKEY KONG!
While Mario's movement is somewhat limited at the moment, it does feature ultra high-res plywood graphics. It's Donkey Kong in H-er D than you've ever seen it before, all controlled with a NES pad.
Meet Martin to talk about it on Saturday the 20th, and play it all week in the Old Market Square.
Yes, the Venus Patrol Training Facility, brought to you by videogame culture site Venus Patrol, founded by Brandon Boyer, will bring your wildest dreams to life as you sign up for the most awe inspiring marriage of physical and mental exertion.
The challenges (games) you’ll be facing are:
Get On Top / Pole Riders - Bennett Foddy
Proteus Frog God Mode - Ed Key & David Kanaga, mod by George Buckenham
Passing Time - Honeyslug
Johann Sebastian Joust - Die Gute Fabrik
Hokra - Ramiro Corbetta
BaraBariBall - Noah Sasso
MegaGIRP - Bennett Foddy, mod by Douglas Wilson
The Venus Patrol Training Facility will be open from 10am-5pm Monday-Friday (20-26th Oct) and 10am-2pm Saturday (27th) on the Old Market Square and played on a 13sqm screen, so everyone can see your preparation and ultimate victory.
Capsule Capsule is an exclusive theatrical presentation of Adam Saltsman’s latest title, tense space exploration adventurer, Capsule, featuring only at GameCity7 on the Old Market Square from 10am-5pm from October 22nd-27th.
Your mission will require you to undergo special training on Earth before stepping into a spaceship to explore the dark, cold confines of space, battling dwindling oxygen and power levels while searching for answers to a slowly unravelling mystery.
Sign up for your seat in the Capsule Capsule at the Venus Patrol area in the Old Market Square.
WARNING….
Capsule Capsule is a theatrical event with sensory deprivation elements taking place in a refrigerated area. Those of a nervous disposition, fear of dark/confined spaces or suffer from astrophobia are recommended to avoid this event.
Amber will be recruiting in the city. Take the time to meet your local contact, register your interest and obtain your Amber indentifier.
http://weareamber.com/
Suitable for Under 5's
Come and explore the ways in which games and play give young children freedom to let their creativity bloom and learn a range of skills. In this session we’ll be making our own monsters and heroes, creating our own mazes and castles, telling our own stories, making up our own rules, and having lots of fun! Game Designer and mum Anna Marsh will be leading this session for the very young with activities for 0 – 5 year olds and their carers – if your little one can’t manage all of the activities plenty of toys are on hand to keep them entertained.
Minecraft is a phenomena.
One of the most popular, acclaimed and creative videogames ever to be released. These sessions will bring you a new perspective on this amazing game. Created by the team from Minecraft EDU, an international team of educators and programmers working directly with Mojang, get ready to experience Minecraft in a whole new way!
There's LOTS more information about Minecraft EDU on their website: http://minecraftedu.com/
Sign up for this session using the ticket link below.
Adam Saltsman, creator of Canabalt, shares the story of the conception and creation of The Hunger Games: Girl On Fire. Released on iOS platforms just before the release of the film, The Hunger Games: Girl on Fire is much, much more than a film tie-in. Adam shows us why. As if we even need convincing!
We're proud to be working with Adobe Generation to offer a unique series of Flash masterclasses at the GameCity STEAM School 2012.
Today, Bennett Foddy, creator of QWOP, GIRP, Pole Riders and many more offers his unique perspective on Flash game creation - taking you inside some of his best loved works.
PLEASE NOTE:
This is a session intended for creatives with a working knowledge of Adobe Flash.
Book your place at this session using the Eventbrite ticket link below.
We're going to make us all a videogame out of paper and cardboard! You'll be making buildings, streets and monsters with your bare hands and ingenuity, and we're going to film them there and then. With some technological magic we'll be making this footage interactive you'll be able to run, jump, and generally mess about in the world we just created, and take home a game you can point at and say 'I made that'.
Luke makes handcrafted games with State of Play (www.stateofplaygames.com), where we mess about with paper, card and glue, setting videogame technology back a couple of decades each time. We're the creators of the IGF Nominated puzzle adventure game Lume, and will be bringing our handcraftiness to GameCity for the first time this year.
Mike Bithell, creator of Thomas Was Alone, is joining us every day at GameCity7 for a series of events featuring a team of friendly faces who’ll offer advice on a different subject every day.
In this installment Mike learns all about AUDIO!
Graeme Norgate, audio director & composer at Crytek UK and veteran behind classics such as Goldeneye 64 and Timesplitters, sits down with Mike to talk about things in games that make a noise....
The Game Maker's Apprentice
These workshops will give a basic introduction to using the Game Maker development tool to quickly create simple 2D games. Attend this crash course in using the free version of this game development tool and download it for yourself from the YoYoGames website afterwards. Game Maker games can be turned into games for the iPhone/iPad and Android platforms using the professional, "Studio" version of Game Maker.
Dr. Jacob Habgood
A former games industry professional, Jake is senior lecturer in game development at Sheffield Hallam University and the author of two hobbyist books on game programming. He has been teaching game making workshops for children since the very first Game City event and has recently taken over as director of the Games Britannia festival which provides a week of game development workshops for schools from all over the UK.
The Games for Film contest is a great opportunity for UK games developers toaccess funding for the development of new prototype applications and servicesthat use games technology in partnership with the film industry. IC tomorrow andcontest partners the University of Abertay Dundee and D-Media, in association withLionsgate UK and the BFI (British Film Institute), created the Games for Film contestto give developers a chance to partner with filmmakers in new and innovative ways.The contest is offering three awards of up to £25,000 and is funded by AbertayUniversity’s Prototype Fund.
The final event will include pitches from up to nine finalists who will bepresenting to the BFI and Lionsgate under three challenge areas.
The Games for Film final event will take place at GameCity 7 on Friday 26 Octoberat 13:30. It's a unique opportunity for contest finalists to showcase their ideas to thejudging panel during one of Europe’s biggest videogame culture festivals.
Agenda:
13:30: Registration and Coffee
14:00: Welcome from IC tomorrow and Abertay University
14:10: 1st Challenge: Games to promote the new British movie 'Smash and Grab: The Story
of the Pink
14:50: 2nd Challenge: Games to promote a theatrical and/or home entertainment release,
supported by Lionsgate UK
15:30: 3rd Challenge: Games to promote the new British movie 'Spike Island', supported by
the BFI Panthers', supported by the BFI
16:10: Coffee break
16:30: Announcement of winners
This event takes place in the Boardroom at Antenna, 9 Beck Street.
You can register for the event here: http://bit.ly/R4Gzmd
Lucky Frame is a small creative studio based in Edinburgh. They specialise in the quirky, the musical, and the bizarre. More than a games studio, they have made interactive musical instruments, sound installations, data visualisations, and other random experiments, and their recent iOS game Bad Hotel received enormous critical acclaim, despite being really weird. They will talk about their history, projects, and their creative output, and give a sneak peak at their new game.
Suitable for ages 6-10
A workshop for 6 – 10 year olds where we will take brilliant ideas and turn them into brilliant game designs! Led by game designer Anna Marsh, we’ll be doing lots of creating on paper, drawing and a little writing, and turning your ideas for characters, stories, environments and challenges into great game concepts. Not just for those who like games already! We’ll be showing that anyone can have fantastic original ideas and turn them into amazing varied games. Stretch your imagination!
We're proud to be working with Adobe Generation to offer a unique series of Flash masterclasses at the GameCity STEAM School 2012.
Today, Adam Saltsman, creator of Canabalt, Girl on Fire and Capsule (uniquely playable at GameCity!) is here to let you in on the secrets of his development process. This is a unique opportunity to learn from one of the most acclaimed Flash developers working today.
PLEASE NOTE:
This is a session intended for creatives with a working knowledge of Adobe Flash.
Book your place at this session using the Eventbrite ticket link below.
Minecraft is a phenomena.
One of the most popular, acclaimed and creative videogames ever to be released. These sessions will bring you a new perspective on this amazing game. Created by the team from Minecraft EDU, an international team of educators and programmers working directly with Mojang, get ready to experience Minecraft in a whole new way!
There's LOTS more information about Minecraft EDU on their website: http://minecraftedu.com/
Sign up for this session using the ticket link below.
Paul Taylor of Mode 7 (Frozen Synapse) and Erik Johnson of Arcen (AI War, A Valley Without Wind) discuss the simplicity in being complex and the complexities that can emerge from simple designs. All the while, the two plan on paying a handful of indie games that highlight these points. Two indie studios, two points of view: it's going to get complicated!
Seven celebrated writers and journalists on video games invite you to an evening of readings from their work – kind of like a slam poetry event except where every poem is prose about Halo and the only slamming that goes on is in the comments underneath each performance. Funny, affecting, sad, exciting - every piece read out on the night takes a different view of video games and the culture that surrounds them. Featuring Kieron Gillen, Keith Stuart, Leigh Alexander, Christian Donlan, Simon Parkin, Ste Curran and Cara Ellison
The Racing Room is throwing open it's doors throughout Game City for all to come and have a race on the massive, landscaped and detailed, permanent Scalextric track at the Sir John Borlase Warren, Canning Circus.
6 cars can be on the track at any one time, change lanes and with some crafty nerdery, your race timings are fully computerised and on display on the leader board.
Tuesday night is the regular Race Night, 8pm onwards. Compete in a series of races to win impressive medals. £4 per driver to enter (over 18’s only).
From Wednesday through to Saturday night, pop in and race your friends. All ages welcome. £1.50 per driver (3 mins Qualifying and a 20 lap race).
Get your milk on with a friday night quite unlike any other.
Come and hang out with the Spilt Milk Studios team and have a play of their upcoming surefire hit 'no stick shooter' Lazarus on THE BIGGEST SCREEN (or just party with us)!
Chill out with the glitchy chip-tune wonderbeats and funky break-pieces provided by the game's audio maestro Owain Davies - also known as (last) exile - who will be mixing up some old and new classics live, along with the game's own soundtrack.
Have a wee drinky-poo too, and chat with the game's development team - Owain'll probably be preoccupied on the decks but Andrew Smith (design) & Andrew Roper (code) are nice too. You can even join in with a bit of a play - if you're tough enough, enter the highscore competition for a secret-but-mega prize!
White russians, cake and games. What more could you want?
Just don't spill too much..."
Cyclepong is a unique hand-made arcade machine that combines the classic video tennis game "Pong" with fun of cycling. Forget twiching your fingers and rattle the pedals to move your bat. You'll never look at an exercise bike the same way again. Great fun for kids and adults.
For more information, visit http://ignitionpopupshop.wordpress.com/
Every day we'll have a dozen screens in the Old Market Square, on which indie developers, students, universities and other organisations will be showing games and assorted interesting stuff. What's on will change from day to day. Come down to play games, talk to developers, and challenge your friends.
Today:
Martin Raynsford is an expert in making cool stuff with a laser cutter.
Here's the proof.
For the entire Festival week, he's lending us his prototype - version one - of a laser cut, mechanical Donkey Kong.
MECHANICAL DONKEY KONG!
While Mario's movement is somewhat limited at the moment, it does feature ultra high-res plywood graphics. It's Donkey Kong in H-er D than you've ever seen it before, all controlled with a NES pad.
Meet Martin to talk about it on Saturday the 20th, and play it all week in the Old Market Square.
DevSoc are a friendly bunch of dedicated computing students from Nottingham Trent University. Come and play their award-winning games like Retro Revenge and find out more about how indie games are developed. From undergraduate to PhD students they have a wide range of skills and plenty of ideas! If you’re interested in studying games systems, or looking for talented student developers, they're in the Old Market Square all week so go and say hello.
Yes, the Venus Patrol Training Facility, brought to you by videogame culture site Venus Patrol, founded by Brandon Boyer, will bring your wildest dreams to life as you sign up for the most awe inspiring marriage of physical and mental exertion.
The challenges (games) you’ll be facing are:
Get On Top / Pole Riders - Bennett Foddy
Proteus Frog God Mode - Ed Key & David Kanaga, mod by George Buckenham
Passing Time - Honeyslug
Johann Sebastian Joust - Die Gute Fabrik
Hokra - Ramiro Corbetta
BaraBariBall - Noah Sasso
MegaGIRP - Bennett Foddy, mod by Douglas Wilson
The Venus Patrol Training Facility will be open from 10am-5pm Monday-Friday (20-26th Oct) and 10am-2pm Saturday (27th) on the Old Market Square and played on a 13sqm screen, so everyone can see your preparation and ultimate victory.
Amber will be recruiting in the city. Take the time to meet your local contact, register your interest and obtain your Amber indentifier.
http://weareamber.com/
Capsule Capsule is an exclusive theatrical presentation of Adam Saltsman’s latest title, tense space exploration adventurer, Capsule, featuring only at GameCity7 on the Old Market Square from 10am-5pm from October 22nd-27th.
Your mission will require you to undergo special training on Earth before stepping into a spaceship to explore the dark, cold confines of space, battling dwindling oxygen and power levels while searching for answers to a slowly unravelling mystery.
Sign up for your seat in the Capsule Capsule at the Venus Patrol area in the Old Market Square.
WARNING….
Capsule Capsule is a theatrical event with sensory deprivation elements taking place in a refrigerated area. Those of a nervous disposition, fear of dark/confined spaces or suffer from astrophobia are recommended to avoid this event.
Game launch! Check out the videogame that Nottingham Trent University students have been cooking-up all week from your ideas. Car crash or pure genius? You’ll have to come along and have a play to find out for yourself. The game will be available for download for GameCitizens. Indie busking involves the transparent and open creation of a video game by NTU students, exposing the development process to those interested in games but may not have an understanding of the process that goes into creating them.
On Saturday 27th from 2pm at the Old Market Square we're going to break the Guinness World Record record for World’s Largest Practical Science Lesson!
Come and test your nerves and tackle several fantastical (but mostly harmless) science experiments as we aim to smash the current record of 276 participants. We need YOU to help the festival go out with a bang by spending the day making history/science experiments/a big mess. Participants will be led through a series of fun experiments for 30 minutes, involving slime, pop rockets and more, and it’s totally FREE!
Participants must be aged 6+ and under 16’s must be supervised by an adult. Record breakers are asked to arrive at 2pm for the counting in and sign up process before the record attempt begins! There'll be lots of fun science-y things happening while you wait!
Learn how to develop your own improvisational characters, storylines and multiplayer universes using the chat tools you're already used to. Leigh Alexander presents on a hithertofore underground art, with a focus on partner writing and fun exercises for everyone to try. Get empowered to start your own game worlds with friends, strangers and a little imagination. All are welcome, though to participate in the session an internet-connected laptop or tablet is required. Leave inhibitions and children under 14 at home!
Sumo Digital - the developer from up the road in Sheffield - are hosting a pub quiz!
Having worked with Sega for over 9 years on various titles from Outrun, to Virtua Tennis, through to the All-Star series, the staff at Sumo Digital know arguably more about Sega than Sega themselves (and believe me, they argue about it J). Additionally, thanks to the huge swathe of real ale pubs in Sheffield, they also know quite a bit about drinking*.
With these two facts in mind, there was only one logical choice for doing something at GameCity, and that was a pub quiz based around Sega and their history. They’ll feature classic Sega music, obscure characters and games, and they’ll definitely have a round with some actual games playing to test out your skill too! We’ll be throwing in some general games knowledge too, so there’ll be ample opportunity for people who don’t remember Doki Doki Penguin Land to prove their games skill & knowledge too...
Hosted by Joe Neate, alongside some other members of the development team, this promises to be the perfect warm-up for the end of festival party!”
*in moderation, obviously.
The Racing Room is throwing open it's doors throughout Game City for all to come and have a race on the massive, landscaped and detailed, permanent Scalextric track at the Sir John Borlase Warren, Canning Circus.
6 cars can be on the track at any one time, change lanes and with some crafty nerdery, your race timings are fully computerised and on display on the leader board.
Tuesday night is the regular Race Night, 8pm onwards. Compete in a series of races to win impressive medals. £4 per driver to enter (over 18’s only).
From Wednesday through to Saturday night, pop in and race your friends. All ages welcome. £1.50 per driver (3 mins Qualifying and a 20 lap race).
GAMECITY PRESENTS AN EVENING OF MUSIC, VISUAL ARTS AND INTERACTIVE MEDIA
Feature live quadrophonic performances in the round from kraut-rock/synth-pop three piece CANTALOUPE, New York-via-Leeds post-disco boogie lords GALAXIANS, and retro analogue squelchers MOSCOW YOUTH CULT.
Performances will be accompanied by live visuals, illustrations and animations from URBAN PROJECTIONS and URBAN CANVAS. There may even be the opportunity for you to get involved in a little digital graffiti yourself….
If you just can’t handle the groove, a second room upstairs will feature some more downbeat DJing and more live visuals & party games by artists including OWAIN DAVIES and more TBC.
+ Licensed bar and DJs until 2am
£5 ADVANCE TICKETS ON SALE AT ANTENNA RECEPTION, BECK STREET & THE MUSIC EXCHANGE, WEST END ARCADE
£6 on the door
18+ Only
