Plaything ‘03

A belated hello to everyone from Bigkid’s new resident XX chromosome! I’m really happy to be part of the Brave New BigKid and I hope I’ll be able to bring a bit of a different perspective on gaming, both from the point of view of a former industry insider, an enthusiastic gamer and lately, a theorist.

We’re seeing an increasing number of Australian universities take games seriously and incorporate game design into their syllabus - not necessarily as a craft, but an art; something I’m personally very interested in. The idea of studying a computer game as a means of communication, or even a piece of art, is gradually finding its way into many Media Arts or Media Studies courses - Macquarie University is one, and now Sydney University is presenting a symposium on games and digital culture, called ‘Plaything’.

It’s coming up in October and, as far as I know, will be the first event of its kind in Sydney, if not Australia. Eric Zimmerman from Gamelab, New York is the first confirmed speaker and, a little lower down on the food chain, I’ll be presenting a talk and possibly taking part in a panel discussion or two.

Could be interesting … we’ll see what happens, eh?

*Dark elf taps on shoulder, murmurs ‘Back to Everquest, wench!’*

posted by Tripitaka · at 11:41 pm · filed under Site News

 

6 Comments (RSS)

OMG, you play EQ? What server?

Guess What.. I just found out that my old High School is training people to go straight into Creative Gaming after school.. Well They now include the QANTM course in their course selection. That is Mount Gravatt State High School.. Apparently it stemmed from an idea that the year previus OP1 student had.. Nope.. Not gonna go make people feeel better as a doctor or a lawyer.. I’m going to do digital effects for movies and games.

Interesting to see if this starts a trend that other schools follow.. Because this WOULD be great for the money hungry 17 year olds running into the workforce.. Used to around 150 bucks a week in PT work (whilst at school..)

It would be even greater for the spend thrift developer.. Because there will be a flood of Juniors rushing into the market. Less money to spend.. Just need to supply the zit cream and a bit of life training. :)

Life training? In the games industry? What a waste… :-)

Still - it’s better than the simulated call centre I saw on the news that has been set up in one school to train their students in the rewarding and lucrative career of pissing people off just as they’re about to sit down to dinner by asking them to come to property seminars or buy double-glazed windows. :(

Hmm, Monty … maybe I won’t tell ;). Actually, I’m on dial-up at the moment so I haven’t been on there much (only really late at night when I should be doing anything but ;) ). Next time I stay at my parents’ place with their (sigh) cable … it’s EQ a go-go!!!

Well, if you are on Tarew Marr, send me an email and I’ll let you know the name of my toon.

Hi Tripitaka,

I have come up with a game idea (apparently so has everyone), and while reading reams and reams of internet pages your name came up and you seem to know a little bit about things. Would I be able to ask you some questions, please? My email is whatthehellamidoinghere@hotmail.com

Thanks in advance

Mark

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