Durban DevLAN

[Insomniac]

Yes people in Durban are still alive ;)

CiniMod contacted me about being able to use CTI to host a DevLAN so it looks like things are finally happening again.

So the initial thing I need to know from you guys is what dates suit everyone the best.

I propose Saturday 6th March, does anyone have objections?

There is also talk of prizes so it should be a good one. I'll update this thread with more details as things happen.

***Update***
When: Saturday 6th March 9.30am - 5pm
Where: CTI
59 Adelaide Tambo Drive (old Kensington Drive)
Durban North
(ask if you need more directions)
What to bring:
A computer/laptop to dev on, try to have your favorite dev environment loaded and ready to go. If you've never done game development before we highly recommend Game Maker. You can get it here http://www.yoyogames.com/gamemaker and you should try out some of the tutorials here http://www.yoyogames.com/make/tutorials

A number of food places are within walking distance otherwise you'll need to bring your own food.

What to expect:
The day is going to pretty much be a bunch of like-minded individuals getting together, making games, sharing ideas and having fun. I'll announce a theme in the morning and then the rest of the day will be spent making something around the theme. If there are a fair number of people new to game dev I'll hold a little tutorial to help get everybody started and up to speed. You are free to use any language/environment to make your game but Game Maker is highly recommended due to its rapid turnaround time.

Shout if you have any more questions and may this be the first of many :)

**Final Update**
Let there be games!
http://www.box.net/shared/7e8ttgjjoj

All the games made in Game Maker can be found at the above link.
I'm waiting for Oliver to email me theirs(was made in Flash) and then I'll add another link.

[CiNiMoDZA]

Finally, this is gonna be awesome!! Cant wait!!

EDIT: If you live in Durban, you will flippen be there!!!

[dammit]

What, exactly, happens at a devlan?

[Fengol]

awesome happens at a devlan :P

If they're anything like the JHB/PTA devlans then expect to bring your pc. There's normally a little talk from someone about a technical challenge or theme and then you all get coding on your own projects to complete it.

What's convenient about the devLan is that you can talk about problems you have (related to game dev) or ask question that have been bugging you. It's also the place to show projects you've been working, test other people's games and generally hang around with the game dev crowd you've come to love.

[dammit]

:P Sounds like it'd be a bit beyond me. I'd been keen to see it in action though.

[Insomniac]

Fengol summed it up pretty well, thanks :)

Although the Durban one is going to most likely have more new people compared to all the veterans usually at the JHB/PTA ones. The focus, for now at least, will be less on a technical challenge and more on a simple gameplay/design aspect that anyone regardless of game dev experience can get stuck into. So no excuses dammit you better be there! :P

[dammit]

hahaha, all right, i'll be there. 6th March suits me fine at the moment.

[dislekcia]

Originally Posted by Insomniac

Fengol summed it up pretty well, thanks :) Although the Durban one is going to most likely have more new people compared to all the veterans usually at the JHB/PTA ones. The focus, for now at least, will be less on a technical challenge and more on a simple gameplay/design aspect that anyone regardless of game dev experience can get stuck into. So no excuses dammit you better be there! :P

Win! :)

[dammit]

heh, turns out I might actually have a conference thing to attend that weekend. I won't know if i'm going til a few days before, but I have no choice about attendance if my boss decides we're all going.

[SkinkLizzard]

Originally Posted by dammit

heh, turns out I might actually have a conference thing to attend that weekend. I won't know if i'm going til a few days before, but I have no choice about attendance if my boss decides we're all going.

me thinks you planned it that way ;)

also I'm there, I'll probably help insomniac organise once I have internet at the place I stay during varsity, so this week hopefully.
also if any one has suggestions of stuff to do/cover for this devlan post away.

[CiNiMoDZA]

....{SECRET}

[dammit]

Originally Posted by SkinkLizzard

me thinks you planned it that way ;) also I'm there, I'll probably help insomniac organise once I have internet at the place I stay during varsity, so this week hopefully. also if any one has suggestions of stuff to do/cover for this devlan post away.

:P I happened to notice a Dental Assistant Conference Thingy (TM) notice hanging around my boss' papers today. Whether he's going to send us to it, I dunno :P but i remembered the dates for this so I doubled checked on the note (and it's the whole day on the 6th)

[Insomniac]

Pfft excuses excuses dammit :P The 6th isn't set in stone, still waiting for the guy at cti to get back to me or Cinimod so things can be moved quite easily.

Also. If you have ideas for topics please PM me rather than post here, I'd rather it be a surprise on the day.

[Shad0wstr1k3]

Do you need to have any programs/experience/skill

Can you attend if you are just interested in getting going in Dev

[Insomniac]

Originally Posted by Shad0wstr1k3

Do you need to have any programs/experience/skill Can you attend if you are just interested in getting going in Dev

We are going to try keep it beginner friendly for the first few so you are more than welcome. It is recommended though that you install Game Maker and play around with it before hand to help give yourself a head-start on the day. There's a wealth of easy to get into tutorials out there, you can start with this http://www.yoyogames.com/make/tutorials

[SkinkLizzard]

insomniac mentioned earlier that it will be more design/gameplay oriented so that anyone regardless of their experience will be able to participate.
I'm sure there will be plenty of help for getting you started in game dev also any one can attend as long as they're interested in making games :)

[Oliver]

Sounds good. I'll mark my 'calendar' (READ: place red ink in a secret spot on my brain) and I should be able to make it (90% chance). Not to develop, though, more to document. And tell people where to place semi-colons, which is my speciality.

Can you make sure it's a nice cool day on the 6th? Thanks;

[CiNiMoDZA]

Awesome...I think CTI has aircon!

[dammit]

Doesn't look like that dental conference is happening for me, so I should be able to be there. 10% chance I can't :P

[Insomniac]

Originally Posted by dammit

Doesn't look like that dental conference is happening for me, so I should be able to be there. 10% chance I can't :P

Yay \o/

I'll try find out today what is happening and if we can get confirmation for the 6th of March.