BAF GAME 09 on 10th/11th November (09/10/2009)
BAF GAME ‘09, Bradford Animation Festival's splinter strand dedicated to exploring the connections between video games, animation, and film takes place on Tuesday 10 and Wednesday 11 November.
Now in its fifth year, BAF Game is dedicated to all things gaming and is delivered by the National Media Museum in strong partnership with the University of Bradford and Screen Yorkshire's Game Republic. Talks, discussions, screenings and workshops will take place at the Museum and the University and will be led by industry experts exploring the creative side of gaming in all its forms. Themes for discussion this year include independent gaming and the challenges of setting up your own studio.
Confirmed guests for BAF Game include Ian Livingstone of Eidos Interactive, Erik Svedang creator of Blueberry Garden and Tara Saunders from Sony London Studios.
A leading pioneer in interactive entertainment, Ian Livingstone co-founded Games Workshop in 1975, launched Dungeons & Dragons in Europe and authored the Fighting Fantasy books before moving into the videogames industry in 1992. As Creative Director of Eidos, Ian has developed world conquering franchises Lara Croft: Tomb Raider and Hitman.
Game designer and lecturer, Erik Svedang is sole-creator of Blueberry Garden; a new game that lets players loose in a fairytale world with an ever changing ecosystem. Blueberry Garden was winner of the Seamus McNally Grand Prize at the Independent Games Festival 2009. Tara Saunders, lead animator and art manager at Sony London Studios, will be talking about developing EyePet for the Playstation 3. Sure to be the ‘must-have Christmas present this year, this interactive virtual pet reacts to the player through the EyeToy camera.
BAF Game is also set to welcome internationally renowned chip tune musician Pixelh8 / Matthew C. Applegate to Bradford for a unique live performance. Pixelh8 makes his music from reprogramming vintage computer systems such as the ZX spectrum, Commodore 64, Game Boy and more. The event will take place in the National Media Museum's Pictureville Cinema. Big Screen Gaming also returns to Pictureville where gamers can play the latest games on the cinema screen in glorious high-definition and surround sound.
For retro-gaming fans key figure in the British games industry for over 25 years, Charles Cecil will be attending. Charles formed Revolution Software in 1989 and is the creator of acclaimed PC adventure games Lure of the Temptress, Beneath a Steel Sky and the multi award-winning Broken Sword series. Charles redeveloped and extended Broken Sword: The Shadow of the Templars - The Director's Cut in 2009 for the Nintendo DS and Wii. BAF Game will also welcome Aron Durkin and Ravi Govind, animators who both worked on the title and graduates of Bradford University.
Tom Woolley, director of BAF Game said:
"BAF Game continues to go from strength to strength, attracting key speakers who reveal the stories and challenges behind the games we play today. I'm particularly excited about the Pixelh8 performance which will take place in the National Media Museum's Pictureville Cinema, a fantastic venue for this live event."
As well as speakers from Sony, Amanita Design, Rare and Fluid Pixel Studios, Sarah Quick from Sheffield-based games studio, Tuna Technologies will lead an exclusive hands-on workshop showing how she makes the models for the soon to be released Cletus Clay interactive adventure. Tickets for the workshop are priced at £5 per person.
Tickets for BAF Game are on sale now from the National Media Museum Box Office. Call 0870 7010200 or visit www.baf.org.uk. Passes for both days are priced at £55 (£50 concessions) and day passes cost £40 (£30 concessions). Early bird and group discounts are available.
Bradford Animation Festival runs from 11 - 14 November at the National Media Museum.
