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R18+ Classification for Computer Games Discussion Paper Released
A sixteen-page discussion paper, which can be read in full here, has after much delay been released by the Australian Attorney-General’s Department on Monday, 14 December. The discussion paper puts forward points both for and against the introduction of an R18+ rating for computer games. It also lists classification systems used in other countries and sites a succinct amount of both Australian and international research on the effects of computer games.
From the press release:
Minister for Home Affairs Brendan O’Connor today encouraged people to share their views on whether an R18+ classification category for computer games should be included in the Australian National Classification Scheme.
“I urge everyone with an interest in this issue to contribute to the discussion so the Government can ensure all community views are considered,” O’Connor said.
“I regularly receive representations from both industry and gamers seeking the introduction of an R18+ classification for computer games, as well from as those opposed to its introduction.”
Mr O’Connor stressed that neither he nor the Government had formed a view on whether the Classification Scheme should include a R18+ Classification for computer games.
“We are releasing a discussion paper rather than proposing a change so we have an opportunity to gauge all community views on the subject,” the Minister said.
Submissions are asked to address the question 'Should the Australian National Classification Scheme include an R18+ classification category for video games?
The discussion paper and submission templates are available to download at www.ag.gov.au/gamesclassification
The deadline for submissions is 28 February 2010.
GCAP 09 Videos
Souri at Tsumea has yet again done a great job of putting videoed sessions up on Tsumea's YouTube channel and in their website's media section. You can view them at YouTube here
Games for Health Forum a GCAP Highlight
This year’s Game Connect: Asia Pacific (GCAP) saw for the first time the inclusion of a half-day forum on the emerging field of Games for Health. Already a $6.6B industry, E-Health offers incredible opportunities for game developers to leverage their skills and expertise. The Games for Health forum brought together the Australian game development community with healthcare providers, clinicians and heath technology developers. A host of local and international speakers presented on subjects including Wii use for stroke patients, virtual environments for health education, and on how to access government grants and funding to develop games in the field of E-Health.
GCAP Education Forum
The GCAP Education Forum was designed for educators at all levels, with separate tracks for school and tertiary. Expert presenters demystified the game industry in a series of combined lecture and hands-on workshop style sessions.
GDAA 2009 Awards Dinner
The gala event of GCAP was the annual GDAA Awards Dinner, hosted by Autodesk, during which the best of the local industry was honoured for their achievements. The Indie Awards were also be presented, in what was the most closely contested Indie competition ever.
GCAP Keynote Speakers
Vicarious Visions Creative Director Tim Stellmach delivered the opening Keynote address: “Which Side Are You On? The Design of Momentous Choices.” David Jaffe appeared via videolink for a Q&A session hosted by the stars of ABC TV’s Good Game television program. Tuesday’s Keynote speaker was Justin Halliday, formerly of Transmission Games, who will delivered a no holds barred post mortem of Heroes over Europe, the last game developed by Transmission before its closure.
Game Connect: Asia Pacific (GCAP) 09Melbourne, Australia6 - 8 December 2009 GCAP 09 took place from Sunday 6 December through Tuesday 8 December 2009 at the Crown Promenade Hotel, which is part of the Crown Entertainment Complex in Melbourne, Australia.
GCAP 09 is the premier conference, exhibition and networking event for the Asia Pacific Games Industry.
Some of the main topics that were covered during GCAP 09 included core games, online, mobile, casual and serious games, along with new developments in art, technology and design.
GCAP 08 Videos Souri at Tsumea has done a great job of putting videoed sessions up on Tsumea's YouTube channel and in their website's media section. You can view them at YouTube here.
GDAA Industry Awards 2008 The Annual GDAA Awards Dinner was held on Friday, 21 November 2008 and the nominees and winners were: To see all the results, click here |
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Speaker's Papers
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Games Industry Skills Projects
The GDAA is currently supporting a project commissioned by the Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Creative Industries and Innovation that is investigating and evaluating skills sets and occupations required for employment in the Australia’s Digital Games Industry, both currently and in the future. The project is also measuring the extent, source and impact of skills deficiencies. The project involves nation-wide surveys of firms and workers as well as a scenario planning exercise to develop three scenarios of the state of the industry in 2015, and what these different scenarios mean for the skilling of workers. For more information, visit the project site at http://gamesindustryskills.wordpress.com/
GDAA Game Developer and Independent Awards for 2009
Congratulations to all the nominees and winners of this year's GDAA Game Developers and Independent Awards!
The awards were presented at the annual awards dinner held at the Crown Towers in Melbourne on Monday 7 December.
To see all the results, click here
Games in 2009 Developed by Some Member Studios |
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Be sure to check out their websites for more great games and news |
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IronMonkey StudiosSims 3 (iPhone/iPod touch, Mobile) Need for Speed: Undercover (iPhone/iPod touch, Mobile)
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FiremintFlight Control (iPhone/iPod touch) Real Racing (iPhone/iPod touch) Mega Monsters* (n-gage) *TBA late 2009 |
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Halfbrick Studios Halfbrick Echoes (PSP minis) Raskulls* (XBLA) Halfbrick Blast Off, Halfbrick Rocket Racing, Halfbrick Zombies** *Scheduled for release Q4 2009 **Announced for release on the PSP Minis service (under the Halfbrick Fridays label) |
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Infinite Interactive Puzzle Quest: Galactrix (PC, DS, Xbox 360) Puzzle Kingdoms (PC, DS, Wii)
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Millipede Creative Development Flinders Ninjas (iPhone) CityGT (iPhone)
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Tantalus Media The Legend of Spyro: Dawn of the Dragon (DS) Cars: Race-O-Rama (PSP, DS) Pony Friends 2** (Wii, DS, PC) **Scheduled for release late 2009 |
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Torus Games Scooby-Doo! First Frights (DS, Wii, PS2) Crystal Mines* (DS) Scheduled for release Christmas 2009 |
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Wicked Witch Software AFL Mascot Manor and NRL Mascot Manor (DS) AFL Challenge and Rugby League Challenge (PSP) |
And Some Other Australian Made 2009 Releases |
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Creative Assembly Empire: Total War (PC)
Krome Studios Star Wars The Clone Wars: Republic Heroes (Xbox 360, PS3, PS2, PSP, Wii, Nintendo DS, PC) Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (PC, Xbox 360, PS3)
Spinfast Baseball '09 (iPhone/iTouch) Spinfast Cricket (iPhone/iTouch)
Wildfire Studios Tumblebugs (iPhone)
[Transmission Games] Ashes Cricket 2009 ( PS3, XBox 360, PC) Heroes Over Europe (PS3, XBox 360)
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Notices |
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Millipede Creative Development
The greatest Christmas present of all: The Gift of Ninjas!
It's the typical situation for a Melbourne commuter: it's late, you're tired and (obviously) your train has been delayed. Oh, and ninjas have decided to kill you.
Flinders Ninjas is a free iPhone game just released by Millipede Creative Development as a Christmas promotion for their clients and friends.
Deal vicious ninja star death to the hordes of masked assassins in Melbourne’s iconic Flinders Street Station. The game also features an innovative remote game controller interface, the user can flick ninja stars from their iPhone to their desktop.
Read more about it here |
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AIE and CIT combine forces to offer the Bachelor of Games and Virtual Worlds (Programming)
Read about it here |
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Call for Papers on Games Entertainment Technologies – IADIS Conference Freiberg, Germany 2010
The IADIS Conference will be held in Freiberg, Germany from 26-28 July 2010, and is organised by the International Association for the Development of the Information Society. http://www.gaming-conf.org/ |
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Digital Distribution Summit - Small Games, Big Market
All presentations from the Summit which took place on September 29 in Melbourne are now available for viewing online at the link below. Content as rich as this does not come up often so enjoy it while it’s fresh! Bloggers and journalists can reference this content and all videos are embeddable. The digital distribution conversation is also happening on Twitter; just reference #dds09 or @ddsummit to join in. |
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Globally Launched on 06.09.09
CityGT is the only driving game you play on the street! Play CityGT on your iPhone or watch it become a virtual steering wheel as you connect and play on a bigscreen.
See all the information about CityGT, including where to locate CityGT Mobile Screens around Victoria, at the website: www.citygt.com |
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Emotiv SDK including an SDK headset is now available for immediate license for developers and researchers and educational institutes The Emotiv SDK- Standard Edition includes an SDK Headset and proprietary software toolkit that exposes Emotiv's APIs and detection libraries. This is now available to developers and researchers for only US$500. To license the SDK, please visit http://www.emotiv.com/corporate/1_0/1_6.htm. |
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ENVIZAGE |
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Virtools has been a key development tool in the games industry for over 6 years.
Click on the image to find out more.
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A framework to create stunning, lifelike experiences in 3D.
Click on the image to find out more. |
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VISUAL JAZZ |
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Visual Jazz is one of Australia's fastest growing and most successful Digital Creative agencies with offices in Melbourne, Canberra and Sydney. |
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