Lift Off 2018: Workplace Discrimination and Abuse: Ways to Cope and Prevent

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This week, multi-talented Muse en Lystrala gave a very frank and honest talk for Lift Off Diversity Incubator attendees on workplace discrimination and abuse. Using examples she herself faced, she informed the audience when to recognize abuse, both online and offline, and what to do when you see one. As we split into our one-to-ones, each participant provided updates on how they’ve progressed with their initial prototype. The mentors, of course, helped solve the mentee’s specific problems, to better prepare for the play-testing events such as the monthly TVGS Interactive Showcase. At the end, each participant gave a brief demonstration of what they had.

#include <LGBTQ+ Game Jam 2018>

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In celebration of LGBTQ History Month, we will be holding our second annual LGBTQ+ Game Jam, a day long “hackathon” dedicated to creating games, interactive artwork, and stories inspired by LGBTQ+ contributions to history and culture!

We will have Construct 3, Twine, and Ren’Py instruction available for beginners! We will also have analog game making materials for anyone who wants to make a board or card game!

DATE AND TIME

Sun, October 28, 2018
10:00 AM – 6:00 PM EDT

LOCATION

Tech Valley Game Space
30 3rd St
Troy, New York 12180

Everyone is welcome to take part in this public game making event, and first time creators are highly encouraged to participate. The atmosphere at #include events is fun and collaborative, and a team of experienced mentors will be on hand to help out any newcomers and provide guidance on how you can bring your game ideas to life.

The jam will take place on Sunday, October 28nd starting at 10am and ending at 6pm. Participants are invited to gather in the TVCOG ThinQubator at 10am on Sunday in order to join in the event kickoff, which will feature a brief word of welcome from the organizers, an introduction to our team of volunteer mentors and a chance for you to meet the other participants. Then we will get right to making games!

This Game Jam is open to participants of all ages, backgrounds, and skill levels. Tickets are free, but spaces are limited, so please book your ticket early to avoid missing out on your chance to participate in the game jam. Please read all of the event info and book your place in the jam.

Reserve your spot!

Lift Off 2018: How to Start a Business

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This week, TVGS’ own treasurer, Sarah Lauser provided a talk for the Lift Off Diversity Incubator attendees on how to start a business. She provided the advantages and disadvantages of having one, and how relatively simple it is to start one should one choose to develop their project to a larger endeavor. Midway through the program, everyone split up to discuss how they have been progressing, and whether they’ve managed to make their first playable prototype. At the end, each participant gave a brief demonstration of what they had. Fortunately, it’s been a relief for most people the progress even the most ambitious attendee made was to make their artworks move!

Lift Off 2018: Project Management

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TVGS’ Lift Off Diversity Incubator continues with a presentation on project management, or the process of splitting up a large project into distinct and measurable tasks. Suzanne Dondero, professional project manager and the presenter for this week’s progress report, described the Agile Development process that encourages game makers to regularly re-evaluate their task list and adjust their goals to meet the deadline. After the presentation, everyone split up to discuss how to take their game design document and dividing it into simpler chunks on their favorite task management software like Trello.

Lift Off 2018: Opening Ceremony

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The opening ceremony of TVGS’ inaugural Lift Off Diversity Incubator was a huge success! The
The keynote was given by game developer and International Game Developer Association’s Albany chapter head director, Amanda Kirk, who gave a keynote about combating impostor syndrome. Each participant was given a handout, listing resources to get started on making games.

After a brief review, everyone split with their own designated mentor, and discussed what their game ideas were, and what tools to look into to make it happen. Due next week, all participants are tasked to get their first documentation on their game — yes, that fabled game design document — started!

#include <Black History Game Jam 2018>

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To participate in this event, please reserve a free ticket on Eventbrite: Black History Game Jam tickets

In celebration of Black History Month, the next event in our #include series will be the Black History Game Jam, a day long “hackathon” dedicated to creating games, interactive artwork and stories inspired by African American history and culture. Come join us in recognizing and celebrating African American contributions to history and culture while creating your own game!

Everyone is welcome to take part in this public game making event, and first time creators are highly encouraged to participate. The atmosphere at #include events is fun and collaborative, and a team of experienced mentors will be on hand to help out any newcomers and provide guidance on how you can bring your game ideas to life.

The jam will take place on Sunday, February 25th starting at 10am and ending at 6pm. Participants are invited to gather at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), in room 2411 under the Sage Labs building. The event kickoff starts at 10am on Sunday, which will feature a brief word of welcome from the organizers, an introduction to our team of volunteer mentors and a chance for you to meet the other participants.

The Black History Game Jam is open to participants of all ages, backgrounds and skill levels. Tickets are free, but spaces are limited, so please book your ticket early to avoid missing out on your chance to participate in the game jam. Please read all of the event info below before booking your place in the jam.

WHEN:

Continue reading “#include <Black History Game Jam 2018>” →

#include <LGBTQ+ Game Jam 2017>

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To participate in this event, please reserve a free ticket on Eventbrite: LGBTQ+ Game Jam tickets

To sign up as a Mentor: Mentor Sign up

Note: For those taking public transit, the 87 stops at or near RPI on Sundays, at stops #5 and #6.

In celebration of LGBTQ History Month, the next event in our #include series will be the LGBTQ+ Game Jam, a day long “hackathon” dedicated to creating games, interactive artwork, and stories inspired by LGBTQ+ contributions to history and culture.

We will have Construct 3, Twine, and Ren’Py instruction available for beginners! We will also have analog game making materials for anyone who wants to make a board or card game!

Everyone is welcome to take part in this public game making event, and first time creators are highly encouraged to participate. The atmosphere at #include events is fun and collaborative, and a team of experienced mentors will be on hand to help out any newcomers and provide guidance on how you can bring your game ideas to life.

The jam will take place on Sunday, October 22nd starting at 10am and ending at 6pm. Participants are invited to gather at The RPI VAST Lab (located at 110 8th St on the RPI Campus in Troy) at 10am on Sunday in order to join in the event kickoff, which will feature a brief word of welcome from the organizers, an introduction to our team of volunteer mentors and a chance for you to meet the other participants. Then we will get right to making games!

This Game Jam is open to participants of all ages, backgrounds, and skill levels. Tickets are free, but spaces are limited, so please book your ticket early to avoid missing out on your chance to participate in the game jam. Please read all of the event info below before booking your place in the jam.

WHEN:

Sunday, October 22nd 10am-6pm

WHERE:

The VAST Lab (110 8th St, Troy, NY 12180)

About the Jam:

The game jam will take place at The VAST Studio, located at 110 8th St in the Sage Labs building on the RPI Campus in Troy. The kickoff event will take place at 10am on Sunday, February 26th and the event will run until 6pm (at the very latest!). The jam will be centered around the theme of the LGBTQ+ experience, culture, and history, and participants will be encouraged to create games and digital artwork inspired by this theme.

There are variety of dining options on the RPI campus, but there is no eating or drinking allowed inside the venue itself, so please take this into consideration when planning for meals and snack breaks.

In they choose to, participants can also share their games with the public at the Troy Interactive Showcase, which will take place at The Arts Center during the next monthly Troy Night Out celebration to occur after the jam. The showcase will be held from 5-9pm the following Friday, October 27th at the Arts Center in downtown Troy!

Mentors Wanted!
If you are a local game developer or someone with experience in a related field (programmer, artist, designer, musician, etc.) and you have a few hours that you’d be willing to contribute toward volunteering as a mentor during a future #include event, please volunteer using the mentor sign up sheet in order to let us know you’re interested. Once you have signed up using the online form, we will get in contact with you to provide further details on how you can get involved with our upcoming diversity events.

About #include:

#include is a series of diversity-focused, creative events hosted by Tech Valley Game Space that are intended to support aspiring game makers in the Capital Region. The goal of the #include initiative is to provide recurring, local classes and game jams targeted toward groups that continue to be underrepresented within the game development community, in order to demystify the process of digital game creation and make it more accessible and welcoming for everyone.

For more information, please visit techvalleygamespace.com/include

#include <Black History Game Jam 2017>

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To participate in this event, please reserve a free ticket on Eventbrite: Black History Game Jam tickets

In celebration of Black History Month, the next event in our #include series will be the Black History Game Jam, a day long “hackathon” dedicated to creating games, interactive artwork and stories inspired by African American history and culture. Come join us in recognizing and celebrating African American contributions to history and culture while creating your own game!

Everyone is welcome to take part in this public game making event, and first time creators are highly encouraged to participate. The atmosphere at #include events is fun and collaborative, and a team of experienced mentors will be on hand to help out any newcomers and provide guidance on how you can bring your game ideas to life.

The jam will take place on Sunday, February 26th starting at 10am and ending at 4pm. Participants are invited to gather at The Arts Center (located at 265 River Street in Troy) at 10am on Sunday in order to join in the event kickoff, which will feature a brief word of welcome from the organizers, an introduction to our team of volunteer mentors and a chance for you to meet the other participants.

The Black History Game Jam is open to participants of all ages, backgrounds and skill levels. Tickets are free, but spaces are limited, so please book your ticket early to avoid missing out on your chance to participate in the game jam. Please read all of the event info below before booking your place in the jam.

WHEN:

Sunday, February 26th 10am-4pm

WHERE:

The Arts Center of the Capital Region (265 River Street, Troy)

About the Jam:

The game jam will take place at The Arts Center of The Capital Region, located at 265 River Street in Troy. The kickoff event will take place at 10am on Sunday, February 26th and the event will run until 4pm. The jam will be centered around the theme of African American history, and participants will be encouraged to create games and digital artwork inspired by this theme.

The Arts Center is located in close proximity to a variety of dining options, but there is no eating or drinking allowed inside the venue itself, so please take this into consideration when planning for meals and snack breaks.

Games created by the participants will also be featured at an upcoming showcase event, which will take place at The Arts Center during the next monthly Troy Night Out celebration to occur after the jam. The showcase will be held from 5-9pm on Friday, March 31st in the same room where the jam is taking place.

Mentors Wanted!
If you are a local game developer or someone with experience in a related field (programmer, artist, designer, musician, etc.) and you have a few hours that you’d be willing to contribute toward volunteering as a mentor during a future #include event, please volunteer using the mentor sign up sheet in order to let us know you’re interested. Once you have signed up using the online form, we will get in contact with you to provide further details on how you can get involved with our upcoming diversity events.

About #include:

#include is a series of diversity-focused, creative events hosted by Tech Valley Game Space that are intended to support aspiring game makers in the Capital Region. The goal of the #include initiative is to provide recurring, local classes and game jams targeted toward groups that continue to be underrepresented within the game development community, in order to demystify the process of digital game creation and make it more accessible and welcoming for everyone.

For more information, please visit techvalleygamespace.com/include

#include <Local History Jam 2015>

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For this event, please reserve a free ticket on Eventbrite: Local History Game Jam tickets

The latest event in our #include series is the Local History Game Jam, a weekend “hackathon” dedicated to creating games and interactive prototypes inspired by the history of Rensselaer County. Historical themes and settings have been incorporated into many popular games, ranging from commercial titles such as Civilization and Assassin’s Creed to educational classics like The Oregon Trail. Whenever historians and game developers get together, we always end up making history!

Jammers are invited to gather at The Arts Center (located at 265 River Street in Troy) over the weekend in order to participate. The jam will begin at 12pm on Saturday, September 19th with a kickoff event featuring members of the Rensselaer County Historical Society, who will be joining us to share some interesting local lore and provide an overview of the incidents, people and overall trends that have played an integral role in shaping the development of the Capital Region. From there, jammers will have the opportunity to work alone or in teams in order to create projects inspired by local history over the rest of the weekend.

Even after the weekend is over, the jam won’t be relegated to the history books just yet! Jammers will have multiple opportunities to share their creations over the following week, including a post-jam reception at the Tech Valley Center of Gravity featuring a group of international game design students and faculty, and a prominent showcase as part of the Hyperplace Troy festival, during which the games created by jam participants will be projected onto the outside of The Arts Center building.

The event is open to all game developers, students, graduates, industry developers and even those with no experience of game development. Tickets are free, but spaces are limited, so please book your ticket early to avoid missing out on your chance to participate in the game jam. Please read all of the event info below before booking your place in the jam.

Dates and times:

Kickoff

  • Saturday, September 19th @ 12pm – The Arts Center (265 River Street, Troy)

Jam Hours

  • Saturday, September 19th 12pm-9pm
  • Sunday, September 20th 9am-4pm

Post-Jam Reception

  • Monday, September 21st 7pm-9pm – Tech Valley Center of Gravity (30 3rd Street, Troy)

Showcase

  • Friday, September 25th 5pm-9pm – The Arts Center (265 River Street, Troy)

About the Jam:

The game jam will take place at The Arts Center of The Capital Region, located at 265 River Street in Troy. The kickoff event will take place at 12pm on Saturday, September 19th and the jam will run for the rest of the weekend. The jam will be centered around the theme of local history, with relevant information provided during the kickoff by members of the Rensselaer County Historical Society. However, participants are free to interpret the theme as they see fit and explore any ideas they wish over the course of the jam.

The jam will embrace healthy working practices, and therefore the venue will be closing during the evening to encourage participants to get some rest. The jam times are 12pm-9pm on Saturday, September 19th and 9am-4pm on Sunday, September 20th.

The Arts Center is located in close proximity to a variety of dining options, but there is no eating or drinking allowed inside the jam venue itself, so please take this into consideration when planning for meals and snack breaks. Also, if you are able to bring your own laptop, please do so! We have a finite supply of desktops available for the event, and once these are claimed we will only be able to accommodate more participants if they are able to supply their own machines. Wi-fi passwords will be provided, and desktop access will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis.

During the week following the jam, there are two separate events that jammers are invited to attend for the purpose of showing off their creations. The first will be a post-jam reception held at the Tech Valley Center of Gravity, located at 30 3rd Street in Troy. The reception will take place from 7pm-9pm on Monday, September 21st and will offer an opportunity to showcase our local history games to an audience of international game developers, including RIT faculty and a group of visiting game design students from Germany.

The final, culminating showcase event will take place at The Arts Center from 5pm-9pm on Friday, September 25th during the Hyperplace Troy festival. As part of the festival, the games we have created during the jam will be featured in playable form, and will be projected in large scale on the side of The Arts Center building.

About #include:

#include is a series of diversity-focused, creative events hosted by Tech Valley Game Space that are intended to support aspiring game makers in the Capital Region. The goal of the #include initiative is to provide recurring, local classes and game jams targeted toward groups that continue to be underrepresented within the game development community, in order to demystify the process of digital game creation and make it more accessible and welcoming for everyone.

At TVGS, we believe that a more diverse and nurturing game development community is also a more sustainable one. There is a vital need for new voices within the game development space, and our mission is to help address that need by providing support and mentorship for creative people that are interested in developing new artistic and technical skills that they can then reinvest back into the local community.

#include <River Jam 2015>

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At Tech Valley Game Space, we believe that the act of game creation can and should be accessible for everybody. Our goal is to help each person in the Capital Region make at least one game at some point in their life.

Today, we take another step toward that goal with the announcement of #include, a new series of diversity-oriented game development events that TVGS will be hosting on an ongoing basis. Our first installment in the #include series is River Jam – a free, “learn to make a game in 48 hours” event tailored for first time game makers who identify as women.

The River Jam kickoff will coincide with River Fest in Troy (Saturday, June 20th), and the event will run throughout the entire weekend of the 20th-21st. The jam will be held at The Arts Center of the Capital Region, located at 265 River Street in Troy, and will provide participants with the opportunity to work alone or in teams to create a game while receiving support and guidance from professional game developers and other experienced mentors.

We are also pleased to be partnering with The Arts Center to offer an instructional workshop on the weekend prior to River Jam (June 13th-14th). Attendance at this workshop is not required in order to participate in River Jam, but it is highly recommended for anyone wishing to get a head start on learning how to bring their game ideas to life.

More information about River Jam and #include can be found below. If you have any questions about how you can get involved, either as a participant or as a mentor, please send them to info@techvalleygamespace.com. If you are planning to attend, please RSVP via either Facebook or Meetup.

About River Jam:
The first event in the #include series will be River Jam – a free, 48 hour “game jam” that will be held at The Arts Center in Troy starting on the same day as River Fest (Saturday, June 20th) and continuing throughout the weekend. The jam will also be preceded by an optional “intro to game development” workshop that will take place over the prior weekend (June 13th-14th), also at The Arts Center.

While the jam is open to all participants, the primary goal for this event is to encourage first time game makers who identify as women to sign up. As such, participants that meet this criteria will be given priority in the event that spaces are limited. If you are able to bring your own laptop, please do so! We have a finite supply of desktops available for the event, and once these are claimed we will only be able to accommodate more participants if they are able to provide their own machines.

Dates and times:

  • Intro to Game Development Workshop – June 13th & 14th, 9am-4pm @ The Arts Center of the Capital Region (not required to participate in River Jam)
  • River Jam – June 20th & 21st, 9am-9pm @ The Arts Center of the Capital Region

Mentors Wanted!
If you are a local game developer or someone with experience in a related field (programmer, artist, designer, musician, etc.) and you have a few hours that you’d be willing to contribute toward volunteering as a mentor during the weekend of June 20th-21st, please volunteer using the mentor sign up sheet in order to let us know you’re interested. Once you have signed up using the online form, we will get in contact with you to provide further details on how you can get involved with River Jam.

About #include:
#include is a series of diversity-focused, creative events hosted by Tech Valley Game Space that are intended to support aspiring game makers in the Capital Region. The goal of the #include initiative is to provide regular, local classes and game jams targeted toward groups that continue to be underrepresented within the game development community, in order to demystify the process of digital game creation and make it more accessible and welcoming for everyone.

At TVGS, we believe that a more diverse and nurturing game development community is also a more sustainable one. There is a vital need for new voices within the game development space, and our mission is to help address that need by providing support and mentorship for creative people that are interested in developing new artistic and technical skills that they can then reinvest back into the local community.