It’s time to iParty!

Published on November 27, 2009 in Uncategorized. 0 Comments

iParty 2.0 is finally here.

Here are the details:

  • 6pm – 9pm TONIGHT (Friday, 27 November)
  • Innovation Centre, Technology Park (see map below)

And now for a few notes…

What should you expect tonight? You’ll be met by the organisers and volunteers at the glass-enclosed reception area (nametags will be waiting for those that have RSVP’d). Drinks and snacks will be served throughout the night and raffle tickets will be available for a prize draw at the end of the night. Over in the main party room (the Enterprise room), a video projector will be showing off some recent work from local game developers – who you can meet up with for a chat! There will also be a few tables setup for people to demonstrate their work live. (If you have something to demonstrate, try to arrive a little early – around 5:30pm – so that we can get you setup).

And now for some statistics…

We have: around 600 fancy snacks (sushi, spring rolls, mini-sandwiches, tempura, korrokke, karage), around 400 drinks (juice, soft-drinks, beer, and wine), around 80 RSVPs, 6 raffle prizes, 1 awesome show-reel, 4 tables for demonstrations (bring your laptop!), 12 volunteers in matching t-shirts, and a million butterflys in our collective tummys.

And now for some thanks…

Thanks to everyone who has RSVP’d. Feel free to bring your partners and invite other game developer types (it’s not too late). We’re planning on around 100 people. Those who work nearby should feel free to stop by from 5:30pm (so you don’t have to wait around!).

Obviously we’d also like to extend a HUGE thanks to our sponsors: Different Methods, the Innovation Centre, Subversive Games, Rockethands, Black Lab Games, and Reveries Virtual World:

sponsors

Finally, here’s a map that shows how to get to the Innovation Centre (so that everyone can actually make it there! – click for a larger image):

innovation_centre_map

It’s going to be awesome. :D

2 days to go!

Published on November 25, 2009 in Uncategorized. 5 Comments Tags: , , , .

iParty 2.0 is in just two days time (Friday, 27 November) and everything is coming together: Paul is compiling the video showreel; Minh is taking care of food, drinks, and pretty much everything else; We have a bunch of people helping out on the night and I’m bringing the volunteers’ t-shirts – fashionably modelled here:

DSCF4760

We’re planning for around 100 people (based on 44 confirmed attendees on Facebook and around 30 RSVPs via email or the contact page; we usually get around 50% more people than RSVPs), and we will have food and drink to accommodate. If you know game developers, related industry professionals, or game development students who aren’t attending – please spread the word and ask them to come along!

That said, it’s always better to have better numbers. So if you haven’t yet RSVP’d, but expect to attend (I’m looking at you James and Cameron), please RSVP ASAP!

Are you ready for iParty 2.0?

Published on November 23, 2009 in Uncategorized. 0 Comments Tags: , , .

iParty 2.0, the end-of-year party for the Perth game development community, is on this Friday (27 November), so make sure that you are free from 6pm-9pm!

The response to our call for volunteers has been huge, so a big thank you to everyone who replied. All required positions have been filled in record time!

We’ve been asked a few times about whether people will be able to demonstrate games at the event. We will have a few “demo tables” setup with powerboards. Also please plan to arrive a little early (5:30pm) if you are bringing something to demo and make sure that you have all required equipment (laptop, cables, speakers, game controllers etc.)

We’ve extended our showreel deadline to 5pm Tuesday. It’s easiest if you just upload your video to an online host (such as YouTube) and send us a link. Remember that videos are to be no longer than 1 minute (unless you are a sponsor) and you can only submit one per company and product.

That’s all for now, but be sure to check back throughout the week (or subscribe to our RSS feed) for more details on the event (including easy-to-follow directions to the venue).

See you on Friday!

iParty 2.0 volunteers needed!

Published on November 16, 2009 in Uncategorized. 0 Comments Tags: , , .

iparty_volunteers

iParty 2.0, the end-of-year party for Perth game developers, is next Friday evening (27 November) and it’s going to be so huge… that we’re looking for volunteers to help ensure that everything runs as smoothly as possible!

We’re looking for 4-8 volunteers to help:

  • Welcome and greet attendees
  • Help people with demo machines to get setup
  • Sell raffle tickets
  • Usher attendees to the function room (when things get going)
  • Help out in the kitchen and with drinks
  • Make cleaning less of a chore when it’s all over!

If you would like to volunteer, just let us know (via the email – see image above – or the contact page) and we’ll let you know when to turn up on the night (possibly earlier depending on what they are going to be helping with). When you arrive, introduce yourself to someone with an organiser name-tag and we’ll let you know how you can help! :D

As an added bonus, if you volunteer by this weekend (Saturday 21 November) – you can get an strictly limited edition iParty 2.0 volunteer t-shirt!

We’d like to thank…

Published on November 11, 2009 in Uncategorized. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , , .

We’re such big fans of our iParty 2.0 sponsors that we sleep with the following image under our collective pillow:

sponsors

iParty 2.0 wouldn’t be possible without the kind support of our sponsors. When we put the call out a few weeks ago, we didn’t know what sort of response to expect. We’re incredibly appreciative and humbled by the level of sponsorship offered by the following local organisations, companies, and individuals:

  • Different Methods: Apparently Simon is not content with just organising local and global Game Jams, hosting and maintaining Planet PIGMI, and undertaking some of the most amazing games-related work in Perth. He’s also come on as our biggest sponsor, making us feel all warm and fuzzy with his support.
  • Innovation Centre: Always keen to lend a hand to local industry groups (such as ours!) the Innovation Centre kindly offered the use of their fantastic professional events venue. Our drinks will be kept cool in their fridges and our work will be displayed on their projector and plasma screen. It’s great!
  • Subversive Games: Subversive creates training games and advergames for the rapidly expanding serious games market. One of a handful of larger professional games companies with a studio in Perth, Subversive Games continues to show it’s strong support for the local scene.
  • Rockethands: If the group shot on their website is anything to go by, Rockethands are the coolest game developers in Perth… ever. You can tell that they keep it real, and evidently put their money where their mouths are. We know that money can be hard to come by for indie developers and it means a lot to us that you guys have sent some our way!
  • Black Lab Games: The latest game development initiative by one of Perth’s veteran game developers (Paul started his first games company back in 1992!) Paul has an infectious passion for games and independent development, which he shares with others as a founding committee member of IGDA Perth Chapter.
  • Reveries Virtual World: Avril is obviously a real trend-setter, jumping right in as our first financial sponsor. Reveries has all of us at Let’s Make Games very excited with anticipation. Thanks for being so forthcoming in supporting our community events Avril!

With all this support iParty 2.0 is shaping up to be the best night of the year for local game developers. If you haven’t yet RSVP’d, please do so using the contact page or by registering for the event on Facebook. It’s a free event with food and drinks provided (thanks to our awesome sponsors!).

See you all in just over 2 weeks!

iParty 2.0

Published on October 27, 2009 in Uncategorized. 1 Comment Tags: , , , , , , , , , , .

Update: It was a great event! Click here for photos.

Let’s Make Games and IGDA Perth Chapter are proud to present iParty 2.0, the greatest ever end-of-year party for the Perth game development scene!

2009 has been an amazing year for the Perth game development community – with many local game releases, community events, and a number of new companies starting up. The end-of-year party is all about celebrating and showcasing these achievements in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere!

Details:

  • Title: iParty 2.0
  • Time/Date: 6:00pm – 9:00pm, Friday, November 27, 2009
  • Location: Innovation Centre, Enterprise Unit 3, Technology Park, Bentley
  • Description: Meet local game developers, check out the latest releases, and just have a good time. Food and drinks are on us.
  • RSVP by November 20 for catering and registration purposes.

Here’s the preliminary event flier (click for larger version):

flyer

As you can see a few areas are blank and we need your help to fill them in! If you are a local game developer who intends to submit a video for the showreel, please send us some screenshots and a company logo by November 6. Your final showreel videos will be required by November 20.

Showreel video submissions are limited to one 60 second video (720p resolution preferred) per company or product. So a company with two products released or under development in 2009 can submit a total of three videos (one for the company and one per product). If you already have a suitable video online, just send us a link to it!

If you are interesting in sponsoring the event, please contact us for more information as we have many options available (from contributing to food and drink costs to providing raffle prizes). Sponsorship is a great way to get your name out in front of local developers – or just to show your appreciation for the local scene!

We’ll release the final print-ready version of the flyer (with game screens and sponsor logos) on November 10.

For now, here are some important dates to mark on your calendar:

  • Friday 6 November 2009: Final flyer image deadline (for sponsors and showreel screenshots).
  • Friday 20 November 2009: RSVP deadline (for catering and registration purposes). Showreel video submissions deadline.
  • Friday 27 November 2009: iParty 2.0!

Also be sure to subscribe to our RSS feed (or check back regularly) for more information on the event. Feel free to ask any general questions in the comments section and we will try to answer them ASAP!

Help spread the word online; This will be the biggest party of the year for the Perth game development scene and we want to see you all there!

Update: Oh, I almost forgot to extend a HUGE thanks to the Innovation Centre who are our venue sponsors for the event. We wouldn’t have such a fantastic environment (or as much money available for food and drink) without their generous support!

Website update

Published on October 20, 2009 in Uncategorized. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , .

You may have noticed the visual overhaul of the Let’s Make Games website. Hopefully it comes across as a lot brighter and a bit more professional.

lmg_website_redesign

Aside from new visuals, we’ve been working to improve site content. We’ve created an Events page, updated content on the About page, and added a whole bunch of links (which should appear on the right-most column).

Please take a few minutes to check out the links section and let us know if there are any other sites that should be included. Chiefly, we want to ensure that our list of local game developers is as comprehensive as possible!

If you are a local developer, please contact us so that we can include a brief (company, group, or individual) bio in our upcoming report.

Save the date: Friday 27 November

Published on October 16, 2009 in Uncategorized. 0 Comments

Party planning is proceeding perfectly as predicted by this post to PIGMI:

Hi *,

Let’s Make Games and IGDA Perth Chapter are joining forces to co-host an end-of-year party in late November.

We’re still finalising details (which we will post next week), but please make sure that you keep the evening of *FRIDAY 27 NOVEMBER* free in your calendars! ;)

There will be free food and drinks, printed copies of our latest report (April-September), a show-reel of local talent and game releases, and tables available for people to show-off their work.

We’re currently seeking sponsors (contact us if you are interested!) and we’ll be asking people to RSVP for catering purposes and so that we can have name-tags waiting in the reception area.

It’s going to be awesome!

Regards,

- Nick

And now some other notices:

1. Are you a local game developer, involved in local community groups, or have services to offer to local game developers? Please send me a summary of what you’ve been up to for the last 6 months for inclusion in our report!

2. Lacking motivation? Need a deadline? Prepare a 1 minute video for inclusion in the show-reel. Submissions close FRIDAY 20 NOVEMBER!

Questions or quandaries can be conducted via comments!

GO3 and IGDA social event this weekend

Published on October 1, 2009 in Uncategorized. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , .

go3_igda

The GO3 Electronic & Entertainment Expo kicks off tomorrow and runs over the weekend. Entry is FREE, so be sure to stop by and take a look!

Also on Saturday, IGDA Perth are running a social event at the Metro Bar, which just in front of the Perth Exhibition and Convention Centre (the venue for GO3). Expect exhibitors to be there, making it a great opportunity to talk to people in the local (and regional) games industry.

End-of-year party!

Published on September 16, 2009 in Uncategorized. 0 Comments

It’s only mid-September and it already feels like 2009 is winding down!

Here at Let’s Make Games, we’ve had a great year so far: we’ve run social events on the last Tuesday of every month for the last six months, and produced our first report (an Industry Profile based on the results of our online survey).

Here’s a photo from our first (unofficial) event back in April:

dscf2018

Ah the memories! :)

As a team, we feel that we’ve been able to gauge the level of interest in different types of events, and we’ve also become acutely aware of how much effort is required in order to organise and operate each one. With all of that in mind, we are putting together an awesome event schedule for 2010!

We will spend the rest of the month putting together our second report (April to September 2009), which will include: a summary of Let’s Make Games and local activities, an Industry Directory, and a list of game releases from local developers.

The first draft of the report already paints a rich picture of the local scene with heaps of activity represented by new companies, local game releases, and scene events! The report will be available in October, as a free download from this website. Printed copies will also be available for purchase.

As the title of this post implies, our next will be an end-of-year party in November. We’re thinking of a fun, low-key, all-ages event… we’ll post more details closer to the date, so be sure to suscribe to our news feed so that you don’t miss the announcement!

In the meantime, the GO3 Electronic & Entertainment Expo is just around the corner (October 2-4) and the IGDA Perth Chapter will be continuing their series of themed events with an Art Theme Night (October 3) at the Perth Exhibition and Convention Centre.

Thanks to everyone for all your support this year!