Mobile Dev Camp

Mobile Dev Camp Sat 21.02.2009, 10:00-18:00 at Vanha Ylioppilastalo

Mobile Dev Camp is an event for people interested in mobile design and development. There will be talks and activities centered around Android, iPhone and Symbian. And it's all free.

Mobile Dev Camp isn't going to be your regular pay-1000-euros-and-sit-quietly-event but rather a more free form gathering of like-minded people. We will have some great presentations from people like Teemu Kurppa (Jaiku -> Google -> Huikea.com) but if listening to talks isn't your thing we will also have a BarCamp and a hackathon. You can discuss mobile interaction design, show off your latest stuff, take part of workshops or just sit down with your friends and code something great. It's up to you. We just try to provide a great space and atmosphere for you to learn and share.

So, check out our site at mobiledevcamp.fi and please sign up for the facebook "Mobile Dev Camp" event so we get an idea of just how many of you are going to show up. Hope to see you at Vanha. Bring your laptop.

Weekly IGDA Finland Floorball

Hello, dear IGDA Finland members and visitors!

This week we have something really special in store for you in the form of "Weekly IGDA Finland Floorball" or "IGDA sähly"! Mr. Goodliving has been kind enough to sponsor this weekly dose of action for any IGDA Finland visitors to join. Here's how:

Pick up your playing gear (inc. your own stick and shoes that won't leave marks on the floor) and head down to Kellosaarenkatu 3, Ruoholahti every Thursday, where the action will be on from 08:00 to 09:00. Google Maps knows this place very well. Just ask for IGDA in the info and they will point you to the right direction. (note: no IGDA membership card required)

So re-schedule your crunching and join the fun with fellow developers!

********************************** Kellosaarenkatu 3 Ruoholahti -- Every thu from 8:00 to 9:00 am **********************************

February Gathering: Tuesday 10th

Next IGDA Finland Gathering is coming up! Cuba Café is once again opening its doors to all Finnish game developers. Quality chat, great company and excellent mojitos are waiting for you! Save the date. Also remember to get or renew your IGDA membership to get good discount on drinks.

See you there!

IGDA FINLAND FEBRUARY GATHERING Place: Cuba Café, Erottajankatu 4, 00120 Helsinki (map) Time: Tuesday, 10th of February, doors open at 19:00

Global Game Developers Jammed for 48 hours

Nearly 160 game developers jammed 48 hours during the last weekend in Copenhagen at the Nordic Game Jam. The first Game Jam was arranged at IT University in Copenhagen in 2006. This year IGDAs Education Special Interest Group got inspired by the event and machinated Global Game Jam network. Over 50 locations accepted the challenge. This year’s theme was “As Long as we have each other we never run out of problems”. Additionally each location had additional constraints. The constraint for Nordic Game Jam was that the games should be language independent. Copenhagen had the biggest Game Jam with nearly 160 participants. People competed in two categories: Bring from Home and Global Game Jam. At the Bring from Home it was ok to bring a game that was 99% finished as long as they work develop, improve or polish the game during the weekend. The theme for the Bring from Home track was humor. Participants of the Global Game Jam track could just show up with or without a team. The event would start with a brainstorm and group creation session.

The biggest winner of Nordic Game Jam was Make my Head Grow (Denmark). It won best audio, best visuals, innovative controls, audience award at the jury’s award. At the Global Game Jam track In One Piece puzzle game won the audience award and Sheeped Away got the jury’s award. Petri Purho (Kloonigames) won the most innovative game title with his 4min33sec which was a tribute to John Cage’s avant garde piece 4´33” from the 1950s. 0 - - 0 had the best audio at the Global Game Jam track and Chopper + tank = bees won for the best visuals.

January Gathering: Promises for the New Year

[singlepic=343,320,240,,center]The exciting year of 2009 started off with a bang at the IGDA Finland Gathering on January 13th held at Cuba Cafe in Helsinki. Despite the gloomy and cold weather and the Finnish tradition of "tipaton tammikuu" ("Dropless January", meaning an alcohol-free month) a whopping 138 visitors showed up to enjoy their time with a glass - or a pint - of their favourite beverage. We were also given the pleasure to welcome 9 new faces aboard. Hope to see you at the next gathering, too!

[singlepic=341,320,240,,center] Without hesitation the topic of the evening was the oven-fresh indie game Crayon Physics Deluxe by Petri Purho (2008 IGF winner), which has received lots of good press of late. Petri most likely got his hands blistered from all the congratulating handshakes he received throughout the evening!

The evening progressed nicely with developers changing ideas and the latest news on the field. All in all, the evening was a great success knowing that usually Januaries are on the quiet side. Later in the evening some visitors even found the will and courage to do a small-scale dance show! :)

[slideshow=31] You can see more of the photos taken at the event at the gallery.

Be sure not to miss out the next gathering on February 10th! Same time, same place!