Feature: 'Event Wrap Up: 2005 Future Play Conference'

In one of today's main Gamasutra features, we present a report covering the 2005 Future Play Conference, which was held in Michigan last month, and which featured an audience of game industry professionals, academic researchers, and eager students debating the future of games. This extract discusses some of the workshops presented at the event, including a 'design-your-own-game' sessions with a difference: "The award for longest session title went to the “YWMTMAGAW Workshop” (“You Want Me to Make a Game about What?”). A mix of fun game design challenges coupled with a reality check about the state of game publishing was hosted by Brenda Brathwaite and Jeb Havens of Cyberlore Studios. Attendees grouped to take on design challenges based around existing IPs and their associated constraints. A final round of challenges, dubbed the “Iron Designer Challenge,” pitted groups against highly sought after IPs such as “The Home Depot” and “ Canada: The Game.” Those who persevered through the obvious lack of initial “fun factor” in the dictated IP were pleasantly surprised to discover the realm of viable possibilities for these less than glamorous properties." You can now read the full Gamasutra feature on the subject, including more information on conferences many sessions and tutorials (no registration required, please feel free to link to the article from external websites).