Auckland Game Works

July's Auckland Game Developers Meetup has taken a serious gaming twist - with two games for health presenting their projects.
They're both professionally funded projects, based on academically-rigourous designs, but with gaming principles added on top.
Maru Nihoniho of Metia Interactive will talk aboutthe Sparx e-therapy game.  This is a 3D fantasy world 'serious game' designed to teach young people self-help skills for depression. The game was developed for the Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences of the University of Auckland and funded by the Ministry of Health New Zealand.
Brightmind Labs fuses gaming principles with Cognitive Behavioural Theraphy to get results for kids with mental health issues. Their first game FriendQuest helps kids on the austistic spectrum better recognise emotions.
For the full agenda check out http://www.agw.org.nz/meeting

 At June's Auckland Game Developers Meetup, Jeff Nusz of www.custom-logic.com shared some of his flash games.
I described some of them as 'art games', which may not be totally accurate. They're all very playable and fun, definately well themed but most don't take the obvious route.  They're not as arty as experimental games by the likes of Daniel Benmergui at www.ludomancy.com. 
Here are links to the games Jeff showed:
Sprout
http://www.kongregate.com/games/customlogic/sprout
Anika's Odyssey: Land of the Taniwha
http://www.anikasodyssey.com/
Kaleidoscope Reef
http://www.kaleidoscopereef.com
Waiting for Go Bus
http://www.newgrounds.com/portal/view/486095/

At our June Game Developers' Meetup our guest speaker was Kevin Toms: creator of the original Football Manager game; responsible for an entire genre of computer game; seller of over 2m game units; former Founder, Chairman and Managing Director of Addictive Games.
A copy of Kevin's presentation is now up on his blog. It's just the slides so you'll miss some of the humour, Kevin's good nature and you won't be able to tell how tall he is (very).

New start-up company GameMold has been launched to entice the growing casual computer gaming market releasing it’s first title Snow Lemmings along with the new game portal site.
New Zealand 1st June, 2009 – New start-up company GameMold had already made a splash when it came in second during the Fourth YoYoGames Competition in February 2009 with it’s title EcoRush, following with that success the company has spread it’s wings, and will work towards developing it’s flash games portal showcasing other games of the same quality, starting with an interesting and relaxing game called Snow Lemmings in which the player collects lemmings while rolling down a hill and avoiding obstacles, to the more exciting action/platformer Temple of the Sun which is due for release in the fourth quarter of 2009.
GameMold will also bring with it a lot of features to make play for those casual gamers a bit more enjoyable.

In preparation for the launch of our new game portal website (GameMold.com) and the official release of SnowLemmings, we are providing AGW members/visitors access to the BETA server to try the game out.

SnowLemmings was originally conceived and developed for the Global Game Jam 2009 back in February down at Waikato University. Myself (Andy) and Aaron teamed up to develop the concept of an out of control snowball screaming down a mountain. Although we envisaged chaos and mayhem, the game actually turned out quite different, more of a calming roll down a hill, thanks to the music provided by Jim Welch. 

Update: Snow Lemmings has gone gold and you can now play it at http://www.gamemold.com/snowlemmings 

UPDATE: X|Media|Lab are offering a special discounted price of $99 for the Keynote day to AGW/Auckland Game Dev Meetup members.  Email Stephen if you want to take up that very generous offer.

X|Media|Lab is a internationally acclaimed think-tank and creative workshop for digital media professionals - and is coming to Auckland on 22 May. 

The X|Media|Lab Auckland "Commercialising Ideas" brings together some of the world's best informed experts, VC's, business analysts, and digital media powerbrokers, as well as a "who's who" of New Zealand's creative, business, and technology wizards, to assist you succeed amidst these turbulent times.  It includes a few noteable gaming business speakers.

A group of Auckland Game Works members are embarking on a new game project - and are looking for 3D models, assets, textures and creative partners for the project.
The basic concept is to create a console-style adventure platformer for the PC, with some neat weapons, multi-character plotlines, and a diverse set of lands and creatures.  We have the programming, graphics engine, design and storyline teams in place, but there is an opportunity for artists to get involved from the initial design phase too.  
The plot allows for lots of varied locations, creatures and cultures, so we think different art styles (maybe even existing artwork) could be adapted for the game.
If you're interested email Stephen or come along to our next meeting.

Our first publically relased game, The Kiwi's Tale, received second place in it's competition category (Sequels that Weren't). The final placing of the games is still to be published.
Although the reviews it recevied from the judges were mixed, we are pleased with the result and the lessons we have learned will be used to create improved games in the future.

• Run, jump, swim and fly around beautiful New Zealand
• Take on Pukeko birds, kauri snails, killer Kiwifruit critters and evil alien sheep
• Explore 16 authentic New Zealand locations (with lots of in-jokes that probably only New Zealanders will get)

The Kiwi’s Tale is a 18MB download available here. 

We plan to issue an update after the Retro Remakes Competition judging with a few more tweaks and levels, so check back in Feb 09.