Swinburne participates in Melbourne International Games Week
In Summary
Well, we’ve officially wrapped up Melbourne International Games Week (MIGW). Thanks to everyone who was part of the huge range of events over the last ten days.
The excitement of MIGW began at Swinburne, with the launch officially taking place in Swinburne’s AMDC on Friday 23 October. Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews opened the event, which was attended by people from Creative Victoria, Vic Health, Microsoft Australia and Opaque Media Group.
Exciting morning with @DanielAndrewsMP launching @MIGW15! See more photos from the event: https://t.co/zvpXo3jDyI pic.twitter.com/HUJkPGMhGb
— Swinburne University (@Swinburne) October 23, 2015
But there was no time to rest! Later that day the Microsoft More Personal Computing Hackathon, a 48 hour event that asked teams of coders and games developers to work around the clock to develop a suite of applications for Microsoft technology, began at Swinburne.
Twelve teams participated and some great applications were developed and demonstrated during the final presentations on Sunday 25 October.
The Hackstreet Boys were one of the overall winners of the Hackathon, with an app that used Micorsoft Azure to improve the mental health of young workers.
Congrats to entrants incl Monash Monkies & Hackstreet Boys who won the VicHealth challenges at Hackathon #MIGW15 pic.twitter.com/0OPV0hRYX0
— VicHealth (@VicHealth) October 25, 2015
And on the same weekend as the Hackathon, Swinburne also hosted the Lame Game Marathon, a 24 hour event that raised money for UNICEF Australia. In total, almost $4000 was raised.
Behind the scenes at @LameGame24HR marathon for @Unicef. Watch on Twitch https://t.co/H1M0c834Oe & donate #LGMV pic.twitter.com/32uUSSy5hg
— Michelle Mannering (@MishManners) October 24, 2015
To finish off the week, Swinburne's Games and Interactivity teachers headed off to PAX, the largest video game expo in the Southern Hemisphere! We had a range of student games on show at our booth over the weekend. People had the opportunity to experience Virtual Reality Technology, play Swinburne student games and find out more about our awesome games courses.
Still packed with players @Swinburne booth! Not long to go now though. Come play! #PAXAus pic.twitter.com/J1ZlECKLpn
— Andrew Trevillian (@Tres_Villain) November 1, 2015
Our academics also presented at several different panel discussions during PAX. Some of them were so full that people were being turned away!
A packed room for our academic panel at #PAXAus. Thanks Steven Conway, @marcusdcarter and @mkasumovic. It was fun! pic.twitter.com/yuu6nbsVBg
— Laura M Crawford (@soulgirl76) October 30, 2015
Swinburne gaming graduates, Opaque Media Group, also had a stand at PAX. They were showing off their new Virtual Reality game, Earthlight 4K. We tried it out and it was awesome! They even worked with NASA to develop the technology.
Ready for @PAXAus. Some smooth #astronaut hand action on the #ISS for #VirtualReality https://t.co/vBzdaP1eVI pic.twitter.com/PbhEucgT4A
— Opaque Media Group (@OpaqueMM) October 27, 2015
If you couldn't make it to PAX, then check out photos from the event on Swinburne's Flickr account.
All in all, Melbourne International Games Week was a great success. We can't wait to be a part of it next year!
Interested in studying at Swinburne? Find out more about our Games and Animation courses.