Jason Hill's Screenplay blog has the details on the new game developer conference, called "Game Connect: Asia-Pacific". The new conference, which replaces the long running Australian Games Developer Conference (AGDC), will have a stronger focus on building business ties with Asian companies.
The majority of those who voted in Sumea's poll for a needed change in the conference location will be happy to hear that the new conference will be held in Queensland this year. It's reported that the Queensland Government had a big role in the change...
Melbourne has hosted the AGDC for the past seven years, but the Queensland Government has poached Australia's biggest games industry event for Brisbane, signing as major sponsor.Ms Richardson says it is hoped that the venue for the conference will alternate between Melbourne and Brisbane, the two largest centres of game development in Australia.
"Game Connect: Asia-Pacific" will run for three days at the Brisbane Convention Centre, from November 30 to December 2.
The game connect website doesn't have any links....
Disappointing to hear that there will still be a focus on international speakers - yes we can learn from people outside of Australia, but I'm sure there are plenty of visionaries within the local industry who have something to say,
Regardless, I am excited about a new, non-AGDC conference!
#1, the page is one image graphic, so it looks like it's just a placeholder for the real site which I gather isn't done yet.
Lets hope the pricing is better than AGDC.
#3, Souri I guessed that, but don't think it's very professional at all. I wonder what people will think about out industry if we can't even get a working website up...
I agree this is pathetic. The web site still has no links. Why the rush to get the news out? It's been two weeks and they still haven't fixed the web site. It's very unprofessional.
I agree! Some working links would be handy for people interested in going.
This GDAA BS came out nearly a month ago now, and still no links. Is this a dead project now? It sure seems that way. What a shame.
I doubt it is a dead project, it is still a while off is all and doesn't need an update yet - is my guess. I think they have those links, so as to let visitors now that more will come but at the moment the links are dead due to a lack of content - it is a new conference after all.
As long as they don't leave it all to the last moment, and update the site a week before the conference like they did Free Play, then I don't see what the problem is and what all the whining is about.
Last years AGDC was rather stagnate, and a new conference can only be better - as long as they don't leave it all last minute and half-arsed.
Uhh,,, it's half-arsed now mate.
Very dissapointing - someone should let GDAA know... in fact I might do that now!
Here's hoping that this new conference has more merit to it than previous AGDCs, and that it at least does not neglect the indie crowd in Australia, which Freeplay had tried to revive but in many people's opinions failed miserably last year.
Just checked the site again and still nothing. Also, the conference is scheduled 30th of Nov to 2nd of Dec 2006! It's now the 6th of August! That's not far off in the future! I'm certainly not holding my breath. Congrats GDAA. Can't take you anywhere. Leaving stains all over the place!
Well, as long as they start the call for speakers and the attraction of international speakers by the end of August, then that should give them September and October to put together a draft schedule of the conference to put up by the end of October. That would give them most of November to finalise the speakers and schedule, as well as start registering for the event - early bird should start with the announcement of the draft schedule.
If they start by the end of August and through September to organise other elements of the conference, like sponsors for various elements, then that should also be enough time to have the conference go ahead without too much of a hiccup - and have it not half-arsed or as half-arsed ;).
If you don't hear anything about speakers being organised, or a call for submissions by the end of September, than I think it would be safe to assume that it will either be more or just as half-arsed as the last Free Play conference. Especially if the schedule goes up a week prior to the start of the conference, with little or not marketing for the event - in its defence, at least it was cheap :/.
That's what I think anyway.
Free Play was a cheap indie event. Game Connection is supposed to be different.
I'm ready to place my bet. This event is not going to happen. Any takers?
The sites now live - its all happening - what was your bet again?
Wow, Go3 lit a fire under yer arses!
My bet is you can't get a list of keynote speakers, presentations, sessions and rego details up on that site by the end of this week.
How much is it going to cost me to attend this event?
Well, they mention something about it being affordable for developers so as to attract developers from all over Australia.
Would have been nice to have some more details about keynote speakers and such, but, at least they've made an effort to indicate that they mean business.
I'd like to see Brian Reynolds as a keynote speaker.
I know he was down here in 2000 (I think) for the AGDC, but, having recently replayed Alpha Centauri, I'd like a chance to pick his brain and not be so ignorantly rude to him this time around :).
The GCAP wesite now has a draft program up...