Experimental Gameplay Workshop 2009

There is a really neat call for submissions going on right now. It's for the Experimental Gameplay Workshop. There was a Gamasutra article on it not long ago. On the official site they have several useful bits of info. But before I get to those, let's look at the purpose of this event.

"Our goals are to:

* Showcase experimental, creative, non-traditional designs and ideas;
* Publicize the process of gameplay experimentation;
* Strengthen the community of experimental game developers;
* Advance computer game design as a craft and art form.

Today's mainstream game industry provides almost no support for experimentation in game design. Experimentation involves risk, and the industry is very risk-averse. But for the field to remain healthy, risks must be taken somewhere, and we must learn from the successes as well as the failures.

We strive to support risk-taking and to provide channels for communicating the results. We aim to legitimize and popularize gameplay-oriented research and development."

I like the sound of it, do you? Experiments in gameplay to find out what works and what doesn't are just the sort of thing to possibly help the game industry and let the little guys show what they can do. As one of those little guys, I'm really interested in having my work shown at a GDC. Sounds like a great opportunity to me. In fact I've got somebody to work with on making a submission or two for this. So let's get to the important info.

When's the deadline?

Monday February 16, 2009

What is to be submitted?

They have a set of questions about your idea to be filled out and sent to workshop2009@number-none.com, before or on February 16th. To get a copy of the questionnaire, go here (http://experimental-gameplay.org/2009/cfp.html).

What is "experimental gameplay"?

Non-mainstream gameplay mechanics seems to be their target. On their page it is described in examples of what would count and what would not count.

Global Game Jam in Oregon

In less than a month there will be a Game Jam unlike any before, from what I've read. Across the globe there will be local jams, organized by timezone, given themes and let loose. What will come of it, who knows, but it sounds like a blast.

Yet, if you look on their site, there currently is no local jam in Oregon. Talking with one of their people, I've found out some interesting things. I'm not the only one trying to start a local jam. There is an effort by others to make a Eugene local jam. While this thrills me, it doesn't mean I can participate.

A Portland, Beaverton or other near-by local jam would be great. Unfortunately I don't know where to hold the event. It has to be a physical location for this year, with a possibility of digital jams in the future.

For those wondering, this is what you need for a physical location:
"What you need, minimally is a space for folks to work, space for show and tell, wifi, beverages, quiet space to crash if people are exhausted. Extras would be computers and software, food, tech-talks." - Susan Gold

Both of the officials I'm in contact with hope that the efforts to create local jams work out, even if it is at the last minute.