Algoma U. teleports game conference out of town

For a second consecutive year, Algoma University College's Computer Game Technology Conference won't take place in Sault Ste. Marie.

Last year, the 2nd annual version of the event was scuttled after speakers and sponsors got jittery about the looming war with Iraq and decided to withdraw.

However, the university went ahead with an 'unofficial' version of the conference, attracting about 90 game designers and other interested persons.

Encouraged by that experience, AUC decided to hold a third computer game event, but conference co-ordinator Jake Rajnovich tells SooToday.com that the International Game Developers Assocation indicated it would rather have the event in Toronto than Sault Ste. Marie.

"A lot of people just couldn't get up here," Rajnovich said.

The following news release was issued this afternoon by Algoma University College:

******************************* Algoma U linking academics with industry computer game technology conference 2004

Algoma University's 3rd annual Computer Game Technology Conference is being held April 8 – 10, 2004, in Toronto, at the Days Hotel & Conference Centre.

The Computer Game Technology Conference is dedicated to strengthening and developing the association between academic institutions and the "real world" of computer and console game developers.

The aim is to raise awareness of various elements related to computer or console games and other virtual entertainment formats that are of concern to both post-secondary educational institutions and the digital game industry.

The event consists of hands- on workshops conducted by established and world-renowned game developers and special interest seminars and presentations, also by recognized experts, both academic and professional.

Some of the sponsored events and workshops include:

- Game Design Workshop with Ernest W. Adams

- Virtools Product Training Workshop with Virtools Dev 3.0

- 2004 Academic Forum with Microsoft Canada

- Student Game Competition Award

- Interactive Gaming Units with Xbox Events Team

- Mini-CGT Conference for high- school students.

Sessions include:

- Girls as Game Designers: What choices do they make? with Carrie Heeter, Michigan State University

- Massive Multiplayer Games and Interactive Storytelling with Nova Barlow, The Themis Group

- Artificial Intelligence and Character Development with John Laird, University of Michigan, Game Technology in the Undergraduate Curriculum with Jim Parker, University of Calgary, The Serious Games with Ben Swayer, Cofounder, Gigitalmill; A Look at the Next Generation of Consoles and How they Will Impact the Industry with Jim Terkeurst, University of Abertay, Dundee, Scotland; Design of Communications, Competition, and Collaboration in Online Games, with Brian Winn, Michigan State University; Level Design with Pseudo Interactive; The MUPPETS System with Andy Phelps, Rochester Institute of Technology.

For further information or to register online please visit www.cgt.auc.ca