Kiwi Game Developers Kick Off 48 Hour Global Game Jam
Tuesday 2 February 2010, 8:46AM
By Runaway Play
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Over sixty computer game developers from Auckland, Hamilton and Dunedin have just completed a grueling 48-hour game making marathon. 140 locations around the world participated simultaneously in the Global Game Jam, with New Zealand being the first country to begin.
Teams of game designers, programmers, artists and musicians were given challenge of making a game around the theme of ‘deception’ in just one weekend.
After brainstorming ideas, two late nights, pizza and energy drinks, 21 games were produced locally, spanning genres from shooters, platformers to role-playing and ‘god games’. The games are available for download at www.playmaker.org.nz/gamejam
Auckland Game Jam organiser Stephen Knightly says the event gives game developers the chance to experiment and take risks by rapidly prototyping games. “This year’s deception theme led to some clever twists and new takes on established genres. For instance, games that try to trick the player and rather than the player being in charge, the game plays the player.”
“Making a game is a complex task, combining technical as well as creative skills. The weekend has shown that there are some truly skilled, world-class game developers and artists in New Zealand,” says Knightly.
The game developers participating included students, hobbyists, independent developers and employees from professional studios.
The event was hosted by the Media Design School in Auckland, University of Waikato and University of Otago and supported by Playmaker, the Independent Game Developers Association of New Zealand. The global event is run by the International Game Developers Association and is now in its second year.
ENDS
To view the games and screenshots visit www.playmaker.org.nz/gamejam
For photos of the Dunedin GameJam visit http://www.flickr.com/photos/34902288@N07/sets/72157623305952568/