Gotland Game Conference 2011Gotland Game Conference 2011 | Gotland Game Conference 2011

GGC Lite during Almedalen Week

Ulf Benjaminsson — Mon, 04 Jul 2011 01:13:30 +0000

The Almedalen Week is Sweden’s annual “rock festival for politics”, right here in Visby. Like last year we take the opportunity to display a selection of games and animations in our Motion Capture Studio – just next to the harbor!

The exhibit is manned by our students so whether you’re interested in studying at Gotland University, want to talk to competent developers and entrepreneurs or just need to take a break, play some games and watch some movies – you’re very welcome!

Drop-in mon-fri 11:00-17:00, info and maps in our official blog!

Photos are online!

Ulf Benjaminsson — Fri, 03 Jun 2011 18:55:17 +0000

We had two photographers document the entire event, and just finished publishing their work over at our official blog. Enjoy, and thanks everyone for your hard work!

Photos from Mats Ek
Photos from Otto Westerlundh

Party

Ulf Benjaminsson — Sat, 28 May 2011 21:26:18 +0000

For more photos go here and here.

Awards Ceremony

Ulf Benjaminsson — Sat, 28 May 2011 20:00:15 +0000

For more photos, go here and here.

Scott Siegel on Indie Social Game Developers

Ulf Benjaminsson — Sat, 28 May 2011 13:11:32 +0000

As the social gaming space is increasingly dominated by major players, we as an industry already run the risk of stagnation in our newest field. Intended as a call to arms for indies, this talk seeks to dispel the myths surrounding what “success” means in social game development. Market share is not the only winning path — no matter what the VC’s tell us — and we’ll break down how indies are in a unique position to innovate, take risks, move fast, and push the medium forward in a way that the lumbering goliaths are unable (or unwilling) to do.

Steven Bachelder introduces the IRSGD

Ulf Benjaminsson — Sat, 28 May 2011 09:15:24 +0000

The IRSGD is a collaboration between several academic institutes, pooling research and resources to further the development of game design. The network was initiated and is currently chaired by our own Professor Steven Bachelder here at Gotland University.

Meeting Gotlands Game Industry

Ulf Benjaminsson — Fri, 27 May 2011 15:34:02 +0000

At any given time Gotland University hosts hundreds of competent programmers, artists, producers and game designers. We encourage our students to take on commercial work and commonly see our students employed, their projects released independently or made into start-up studios. GAME collaborates tightly with Science Park Gotland – an incubator offering services and guidance through the establishing phases of a new business.

The Industry Panel at Gotland Game Conference was our way of creating an awareness of this work; to talk with the general public, politicians and press and show them what has already been accomplished and what further needs to get done. Thus we invited some of the local game companies and other parties interested in an industrious Gotland to talk indie development, start ups and how we can make Gotland a game developers Mecca.

Four student startups – all with products successfully released to market – participated on stage Meow Entertainment, Zeal Studios, Digital Nature and Heroic Entertainment. Science Park Gotland – a huge part behind the success of some of these companies – naturally had a chair, as did the chief of Gotland’s department of Regional Development

It was great to see our former students represent their business in such a public environment, and even greater to see what a hugely positive response they provoked from the attendees. There was a lot of energy in the room – though the format (panel discussion) soon gave way to a more free flowing and open conversation, the talking went on for well over two hours!

Thanks to everyone for being there and providing your insights, experiences and well wishes. Together we can make sure that student startups have much to win from sticking around and utilizing the unique strengths of this island!

Last minute session changes!

Ulf Benjaminsson — Fri, 27 May 2011 10:00:31 +0000

Brian Schwab’s presentation – Probable Cause: Using Random Chance in Games – has been cancelled and replaced with a presentation of the International Research School of Game Design.

And we’re off!

Ulf Benjaminsson — Fri, 27 May 2011 08:30:09 +0000

Bonnie teaches us how to close read videogames, picking out details and analyzing them for meaning.

I can’t help but note how – in Super Mario 64 – Princess Peach first appearance is against a bright blue sky, offering Mario delicious pastry. … that’s a – pie in the sky if I ever saw one…

Oh and awesome talk Bonnie! Thanks for leading the charge.

Arcades!

Ulf Benjaminsson — Thu, 26 May 2011 12:36:14 +0000

19 hours left. Will the 1st year students complete their builds in time for the exhibit?