What is Ballarat GiG?

As part of National ICT Careers Week, Ballarat ICT, on behalf of the City of Ballarat and with the support of the Victorian Government, University of Ballarat and the Game Developers Association of Australia (GDAA) are running an electronic games focused event for the Ballarat Region.

The event is to highlight the potential career options within the gaming industry, and to expose and highlight the games industry as a legitimate and viable career option. The event will also highlight potential business opportunities within the Ballarat region to Australian Game Developers.

Ballarat GIG will feature a main stage area which will act as a focal point for presentations and activities featuring a strong representation from the game development industry and the educational sector providing attendees with information regarding a potential career path in game development during the Friday session with a more interactive entertainment focus for the general public on the Saturday session.

Who's running it?

Ballarat ICT on behalf of The City of Ballarat, with the support of Multi Media Victoria, University of Ballarat and the Game Developers Association of Australia (GDAA) are running an electronic games focused event for the Ballarat Region. With support from BallaratTAFE and sponsorship from Telstra, Ballarat GiG is looking even bigger this year. Addictive Agency manages the event.

Purpose

The event is to highlight the potential career options within the gaming industry, and to expose and highlight the games industry as a legitimate and viable career option for the community. On the Friday there will be dedicated presentations from some of Australia’s leading game developers. There will also be extensive course information on where and what to study.

Who is Ballarat GiG for?

Ballarat GiG is for anyone wanting to get more information on how to get into the games industry. It has information for both students and parents. Ballarat GiG is also for anyone that is into games. There will be some of the hottest latest games to play and lots of contests and events to win.

The Program

There are two distinct elements:
1.Careers & Industry Opportunities; and
2. Having fun! Playing and winning competitions.

See below for more details.

When and where is it on?

Mining Exchange, Lydiard Street Ballarat - Friday July 22 - Saturday July 23 2011

What does it cost?

Free Admission - A City of Ballarat event, supporting the local community.

Registration for Students to attend

If you are a school that would like to register for your students to attend please click here.

What can you see at Ballarat GiG?

The latest in Games demos plus industry representatives talking about the products and job opportunities.

• GDAA, Game Developer Association of Australia presentation
• Big Ant presenting AFL 2011, made in Melbourne by Australia's largest indie developer
• FMOD - presenting Audio middleware software used for titles like WOW and Guitar Hero
• Media Saints - one of the newest game developers in Melbourne, working for the ABC to make games
• Ballarat University Games Course details
• Ballarat TAFE Games Course details
• Marketing, PR and eSports for video games
• Ballarat GiG Guitar Hero 3 Idol

Play the latest and hottest games available. This includes games on Wii, 360, PC and PS3. And do not miss the opportunity to enter the Ballarat GiG Guitar Hero Idol Contest. Certainly one of the most entertaining events to watch!!

Video Games competitions to compete in:

Ballarat GiG is proud to announce a great line-up of video game competitions running all day Saturday 23 July. Enter to win cash and great prizes. Competitions you can enter include:

Shadowloo.com Super Street Fighter IV: Arcade Edition Tournament (Xbox 360) - 1st prize $250
Shadowloo.com Marvel v Capcom 3 Tournament (Xbox 360) - 1st prize $250
Shadowloo.com Call of Duty: Black Ops FFA Tournament (Xbox 360) - 1st prize $250
Ballarat GiG Annual Guitar Hero Idol - great prizes to be won

Registration to these comps are available at the event on Friday 22 July as well as online at:

http://www.cybergamer.com.au/event/307/Ballarat-GiG-Tournament-Registration/

You can also watch the exciting national final of the GotGames.com.au National Counterstrike Source Competition powered by Intel which will be running all day Saturday 23rd July. Check out some of the best players in the country including Intel's Team Immunity playing on some of the most powerful gaming PC's around.

Program Schedule

Friday July 22nd
09.30 Mining Exchange Venue Opens
10.00 Opening presentations
10.15 GDAA, Game Developer Association of Australia presentation
10.30 Big Ant present AFL 2011, made in Melbourne by Australia’s largest indie developer
11.00 Ballarat TAFE Presentation
11.30 Ballarat Uni presentation, supporting courses
12.15 Lunch/Play During lunch, members of the game industry will talk to teachers
1.15 FMOD. One of Australia's success stories supplying Audio middleware to titles like WOW and Guitar Hero and more.
2.00 Media Saints are one of the newest game developers in Melbourne and working with the likes of the ABC.
3.00 How to get into games, from school to business

Saturday July 23rd
10.00 Mining Exchange Opens
10.30 National eSport competition
11.00 Guitar Hero III on stage
2.00 Feature Game competition on stage
3.00 Sponsor Acknowledgements, Draw prize winners

Download the Program Schedule.

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Why hold GiG in Ballarat?

Ballarat is ideally located to service a large portion of the Victorian Regional population. With the investment in educational facilities, from the University to supporting TAFE, and specialised institutes, the City has focused on the development of gaming and multimedia pathways for its youth. There is a current shortage of talent within the Australian Game Developers sector. Local Government and education are committed to supporting the industry via investment in skills and training and potential business and career opportunities.

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