Webuquerque this Wednesday

I mention these folks pretty often, and for good reason: the Webuquerque team is doing really good things to help grow our region's web community.

Up next: this Wednesday's presentation features local SEO/Analytics star Chis Kenworthy. More details from our friends at the Duke City Fix:

A message from Emily Lewis to all members of Webuquerque on Duke City Fix!

Don't forget to join Webuquerque this Wednesday, July 1, at Uptown because we are having a raffle to give away a free copy of Adobe CS4 Web Premium (http://bit.ly/eK9Rl), which includes:

* Dreamweaver
* Flash
* Illustrator
* Fireworks
* Photoshop

And even better than the giveaway, you'll learn all about Search Engine Optimization. Local online marketing expert Chris Kenworthy will discuss how to develop a successful organic and paid search marketing strategy that will have an immediate and measurable impact on your bottom line.

http://www.dukecityfix.com/events/search-engine-optimization

Presentation begins at 6:30pm and runs for about an hour, after which we will do the raffle for software and other swag.

Socializing and pub trivia (Geeks Who Drink) will follow for those folks interested.

Hope to see you there!

Visit Webuquerque at:
http://www.dukecityfix.com/groups/group/show?id=1233957%3AGroup%3A232748

NM Game Jam Coming (July 10th through 12th)

NM Game Jam Challenges Video Game Developers To Make a Game in 48 Hrs

The Rio Grande chapter of the International Game Developers Association (IGDA) presents the first ever NM Game Jam, a 48 hour video game development challenge to be held the second weekend of July (July 10^th – July 12^th). Inspired by their participation in the Global Game Jam earlier this year, members of the Rio Grande IGDA have organized a similar event for New Mexicans to spend a wild weekend designing and creating innovative games.

A game jam follows a format much like the 48 Hour Film Festival being held the same weekend. Participants arrive on Friday evening to receive three theme words, chosen at random, roulette-wheel style, from a published list of 30 potential themes provided by game writer and chapter member Carolyn Handler Miller. Participants brainstorm ideas on possible games that incorporate two of the three chosen themes and form teams to build their games.

Once the teams have decided on their game’s premise, the participants are in a mad rush to create the art, music, and code that will produce a playable version of their concept. Luke Nihlen, President of 10^th Artist and project lead for the lone Albuquerque team in the Global Game Jam, gives his impression on why this type of event leads to making innovative games:

"The great thing about a game jam is that the limited time forces developers to focus on accomplishing only a small feature set. Smart developers will focus on gameplay and will plan in a gameplay-centric fashion. Specifically, the question that should come up in planning is "What does this feature add to the gameplay?" This, in my opinion, is the way that any good game is made."

The creators of the NM Game Jam hope that this event accomplishes several missions, most importantly to help cultivate and strengthen the budding game development industry taking shape in the state. Jon Whetzel, Member of the Technical Staff at Sandia National Laboratories and Rio Grande IGDA chair member, viewed the Global Game Jam as “the best method I’ve seen so far in getting people even remotely interested in making games involved. Not only did I get to meet several game developers, both seasoned and new, who share the same passion, but we all contributed to putting a game together that still makes me proud.” Eric Renz-Whitmore, Program Coordinator for the UNM ARTS Lab and Chairman of the Rio Grande IGDA hopes that the event shows off New Mexico's game-making talent. "There's a tremendous amount of creativity here, which we saw at the Global Game Jam," said Renz-Whitmore. "This is a great opportunity to meet, work together and have fun."

The NM Game Jam is scheduled to start on July 10^th at 6:00 pm at the UNM ARTS Lab (131 Pine St., NE). The NM Game Jam concludes on Sunday July 12^th at 6:00 pm followed immediately with game demonstrations and presentations. For more information of the NM Game Jam, visit their website ( http://nmgamejam.org) or contact Eric Renz-Whitmore (whitmore@unm.edu or 277-2253).

What the Frak!? Battlestar Galactica Revisited, Thursday 6/25 @ ARTS Lab

What the Frak!? BSG Revisited

One of the most-discussed shows in recent years, Battlestar Galactica captured the imagination of a wide range of fans, exploring a wide range of issues and fundamental human questions in ways that only Science Fiction can.

In a bit of an experiment, we've invited a few of our passionate friends to show clips, share thoughts and discuss what made Battlestar Galactica one of the best shows in recent memory. We hope you can join us.

WHAT: BSG Revisited
WHEN: Thursday, 6/25; 7:00 PM
WHERE: UNM ARTS Lab, 131 Pine St., NW (One block west of University Blvd, steps north of Central)
HOW MUCH: FREE
MORE INFO: http://frakfest.eventbrite.com

Upcoming... & Recent

Image via Wikipedia

We just finished up a great week with visits from two real leaders in different parts of our media world. Laurie Anderson stopped by just before her show at the Kimo as part of the LAND | ARTS Series of events, and on Saturday, games and interactive media thinker/writer/developer Chris Crawford talked on Interactivity and his Storytron project.

Good times.

A couple near future events to keep an eye out for here at ARTS Lab are:

BSG Revisited (6/25)
First, on Thursday, June 25th, we'll be having "What the Frak!? BSG Revisited" -- a viewing and discussion of some key moments from Battlestar Galactica's run. More info to come.


NM Game Jam (7/10-12)
In July, the weekend of the 10th will see the first "NM Game Jam" -- a 48 hour game development jam from us at ARTS Lab and the good folks of our Rio Grande IGDA chapter. Several of us had a great time during the Global Game Jam and we intend to keep that game development energy up here in NM.

Location and a few other details to come... but if you're interested, please sign up at: http://nmgamejam.org

Domefest 2009
What else in July? Well, there may be a special dome show, but Domefest is moving... to September. Watch this space and the ARTS Lab site for more details.