Next Wave's Free Play is back at ACMI with a day-long program packed with lectures and workshops exploring the world of independent gaming and more.
Keynote speaker this year is Jonathan Blow (USA), who will discuss his landmark game Braid, and the practicalities involved in shaping an idea into a good prototype.
Robert J Spencer (Interzone) will give the Australian keynote lecture on the paramount importance of independent games, and how they are crucial to the gaming industry as an art form.
Free Play also offers a series of hands-on workshops led by a range of industry experts. Don't miss Can't Touch This, a workshop looking at how to create sensor driven games. Other sessions include sessions that look at games and politics, how to succeed long-term in the gaming industry, how to run an independent gaming business and a session that teaches you how to create your own game in eight easy steps.
The full Free Play 2007 program is available at http://www.nextwavefreeplay.blogspot.com/
Free Play is supported by the Australian Centre for the Moving Image, Film Victoria, Arts Victoria and Crumpler.
Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased from the ACMI Box Office phone (03) 8663 2583 or at http://www.acmi.net.au/free_play_07.aspx