[PIGMI] From Concept to Pitch workshop next Friday

Tue Feb 28 17:50:12 PST 2012

I'm pretty keen on all of this. I might even attend the pitch preparation for XML even though I wouldn't be up for $1000 either. I don't have a multi-platform game idea but I'm sure I could knock up and flesh out an idea in an hour or so :)

+1 to the down south plan
+1 to local game dev fund raising etc

The biggest appeal for me is a marketing workshop. Game development is fairly straightforward and most of the PIGMI crew are all versed in game creation but what is the critical step for indies is getting games profitable and that all revolves around Marketing and Advertising. The more help we have in that and the more success we have the better we will become.

WEZ!

On 29/02/2012, at 9:34 AM, Liza Shulyayeva wrote:

> +1 for several-day conference/workshop down South. In fact, + 9001. 
> 
> 
> Liza Shulyayeva
> http://liza.id.au
> 
> 
> On Wed, Feb 29, 2012 at 9:03 AM, Nick Lowe <nick at onetwenty.org> wrote:
> If people have moneys that they would like to contribute towards making this happen, well - let's make it happen!
> 
> Our fortnightly Let's Make Games Inc. workday is next Monday and our quarterly committee meeting is on 1 April.
> 
> During the workdays, I can work on a proposal for this sort of larger-scale paid event and put it to the committee at the next meeting. If there's a lot of support on PIGMI, we could run another Pozible drive (similar to Kickstarter for those that missed our funding drive for last years' end-of-year party) to pre-sell tickets.
> 
> As alluded to in my response to Andy, I'm keen on a 3-5 day intensive game development workshop in a resort down south (a typical conference venue, with people booking team chalets). After Global Game Jam, I just got the feeling that something a little longer (and slightly more relaxed) could be very productive.
> 
> Thoughts?
> 
> - Nick
> 
> On 29/02/2012, at 7:52 AM, Jon Hayward wrote:
> 
>> While XMediaLab was useful last year for networking, I have to agree with Andy, having something a little more focused for ourselves would be awesome.  And if not in person, teleconf would be cool.  Those with can help support those without.
>> 
>> And yes, this image summarises my opinion on the idea.
>> 
>> <shutup.jpg>
>> 
>> 
>> On Wed, Feb 29, 2012 at 7:49 AM, Andy Hawkins <andyhawkins at ozemail.com.au> wrote:
>> The beef I have with XML is the entry cost and the transmedia aspect of it.  Nick, Minh and Anthony - message to you; start our own version of this.  The entrants give these guys $1000 minimum to be a part of it.  Surely LMG can muster up some international mentors for less than that.  It costs too much to take the gamble.  If you pay the $1000 you are not guaranteed of a winning / money making project - I think LMG can change that around.   Let's call it the "Young Upstart" and local businesses can seed fund it - hell I'll chuck in for this.
>> 
>> I think "Young Upstart" should fund pure games, pure films and hybrids.  Most importantly it should provide mentorship at a reasonable price that will take the entrants places and not leave them with empty pockets.
>> 
>> Andy H.
>> 
>> This is conjecture, but I imagine that pure games projects would not be competitive for the award. XMediaLab is focused on transmedia, and I would expect that a pure games project (much like a pure film or pure web project) would be disadvantaged in light of projects that integrate more transmedia elements.
>> 
>> So I suppose that XMediaLab is for two types of game developers. Firstly, those building worlds around their games considering how to expand their ideas across different media (e.g. game, comic, website, videos) and seeking engagement with people in related fields. Secondly, those who are open to working with people in other fields who would like to integrate games into their transmedia plans (many practitioners are keen on this, but lack knowledge of games).
>> 
>> There's a general underappreciation for how good game design (and implementation) can contribute greatly to the success of transmedia projects. I feel that "interactive media" without (game) mechanics is like film without story: The final product ends up missing a vital component and comes across as rather empty. So I think that there is a lot of value that can come from local game developers being involved in the workshop next week and in XMediaLab projects.
>> 
>> That being said, it's not just about what game developers can contribute, but also what we they can get out of it. I don't want people to feel that they have to be disingenuous (by attaching an 'arts practitioner' or 'digital content producer' to their project) in order to meet the requirements for an award. However, I feel that it's prudent to be open to working with suitable people (hopefully also local game developers!) if an opportunity arises and they add real value.
>> 
>> - Nick
>> 
>> On 28/02/2012, at 8:57 PM, Saxon wrote:
>> 
>> Hi Nick,
>> 
>> Do you know whether 'pure' games projects are eligible for the award this year? Last year we were disqualified from being considered for the award because it was funded by the DCA and required an 'arts practitioner' on the team (and we chose not to add one just to make us eligible for the award).
>> 
>> It looks like this year they have two different awards - one funded by DCA which requires an 'arts practitioner' and one funded by ScreenWest which requires a 'digital content producer'.
>> 
>> Given ScreenWest's aversion to games, I'm wondering whether they are leaving themselves open to games, or keeping some kind of loophole so they can keep games shut out :)
>> 
>> That said, I think the value of XML is in the lab itself rather than the award (which was why we chose not to add a person to our team just to make us eligible in the first place). Plus, I think the two projects that received the awards last year were more deserving than our project anyway :)
>> 
>> cya,
>> Saxon
>> 
>> --------------------------------------------------
>> From: "Nick Lowe"<nick at onetwenty.org>
>> Sent: Tuesday, February 28, 2012 1:25 PM
>> To:<pigmi at pigmi.org>
>> Subject: [PIGMI] From Concept to Pitch workshop next Friday
>> 
>> Hi *,
>> 
>> XMediaLab (XML) will be returning to Perth this year, and ScreenWest are running another pre-XML "From Concept to Pitch" workshop next Friday.
>> 
>> The basic idea behind the workshop is to help teams prepare submissions for XML. Teams are assigned mentors for the day, and the workshop process is meant to help rapidly refine ideas (and inform teams of grant requirements). It's free to sign-up and lunch and refreshments are provided on the day.
>> 
>> I wanted to let local game developers know that I'm going to be a mentor on the day, and also encourage people to sign up to the workshop and submit projects to XML. It's free to submit projects, and compelling projects may be able to attract scholarships to attend XML. Personally, I got a lot out of the experience (and follow-up) last year, and there is substantial interest in games development from practitioners in related industries.
>> 
>> At the end of XML, two projects will be awarded $20k grants for further development. Personally, I would like to see both of the winning projects be games (wholly or in part, or at least involving local game developers). So I encourage local game developers with ideas to bring them forward and have a go. The more the local game development community makes its presence felt, the harder it is for funding bodies to disregard us.
>> 
>> More information: http://screenwest.com.au/index.cfm?objectID=99D7273D-CB70-1600-756FEBB1F82127CF
>> 
>> Feel free to send me questions by replying to this thread. :)
>> 
>> Cheers,
>> 
>> - Nick
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