Christoph Vogel checks out preparations for the Global Game Jam.
Picture a typical gamer, sitting in a shadowed room in front of a flickering screen, killing virtual zombies. But it is not always so, and the Global Game Jam wants to dispel this prejudice, explains organiser Stephen Knightly. The event's organisers hope to spread awareness of the creativity and technical skill that go into making these games.
"The Global Game Jam is a 48-hour-long event where teams come together and make a game in just one weekend," he says.
"There were 120 locations last year over the whole world - and New Zealand has to go first."
It sounds easy, but it's not.
Stephen is organising Auckland's Game Jam teams of artists, musicians, designers, game testers and programmers.
Their headquarters during the weekend is the Media Design School on Queen St. This place will be their temporary home.
Each of the worldwide teams start on the same day, Friday, at the same time, 5pm.
They have something else in common: the topic the game must deal with. As this is unveiled only at the starting signal, there's a big buzz in the first couple of hours.
"It starts with people brainstorming crazy ideas and then they form the teams overnight. On the Friday night, they've got a good idea of what kind of game they're gonna make. A lot of it comes together by Saturday night and Sunday becomes a lot of polishing, testing and refining."
The school provides gamemakers with computers, desks and rooms in which to take a break. As there's little time to do nothing, the teams are in a hurry. "We're working till late, midnight or 2am, if you want, but sleep is also an important part of the process," says Stephen.
Coffee, energy drinks and pizza intake is much higher than usual.
Last year, 30 people worked in Auckland to create seven games. All of them started with a good idea. "The games are quite creative; there're no stereotypical games. There's no need to spend a weekend just to make another Space Invaders game," says Stephen. The event is open to everyone. "Even if you're just a big fan of playing games, you can come along and contribute ideas."
Even though it's a competition, there's no big prize. "The prize is actually completing a fun game in 48 hours. That's enough of an achievement itself. But, locally, we do give prizes for the best graphics, the best use of the theme and then the best overall game."
Stephen hopes the Game Jam will have an impact on the local game scene. "The games industry is really growing in Auckland at the moment. There have been probably four new studios opened up in the last year and there's another one coming."
To gain more members for the gaming party, the stereotypes must be put aside. "The average game player in New Zealand is 33-years-old and has a family. Everyone plays games. What that means for the game jam is that we get to make an incredibly wide diversity of games."
So, boot up your computers and let the games begin.
Next level
The Global Game Jam is held in more than 120 locations worldwide. It starts on Friday, January 28, 2011, at 5pm. Auckland's competitors meet in the Media Design School at 242 Queen St. To sign up for the event, see: www.playmaker.org.nz/gamejam. The registration fee is $20.
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