CreativeLab Concepting Pervasive Multi-User Applications
sagas are arranging a peer-to-peer creative cross disciplinary lab on concepting interactive narrative pervasive applications, January 26 2006 - February 01 2006, in Oulu, Finland

The lab will be moderated by Frank Boyd and Craig Lindley.

Attendees will form teams of three to five members and develop during this intense 5-day think tank concepts for pervasive narrative multi-user applications considering challenges, limitations and advantages of the choice of genre.

In this lab the attendees - all experienced professionals themselves - will serve as experts as well.

Requirements for participation:
At least two years experience in developing mobile or multi-user or mixed reality applications.
Good English language knowledge.

To apply for this lab please send an email to sagas@sagas.de with your cv stating your professional experience and skills as well as a special interest topic you would like to explore at the lab.

A design approach to game research - presentation online!
Staffan Björk's presentation "A design approach to game research" from the Pervasive Gaming Conference in Denmark is available online at http://www.komialt.dk/Downloads/pervasive_gaming/staffan_bjork.ppt

Read more about Staffan's presentation and the demonstration of the Socially Adaptable Games project at the conference in the following article:
http://www.katrinebjerg.net/nyhedsbrev/05/nov/Pervasive_gaming.htm
(only in Danish)

TRGL takes part in creating a "Nordic Playground" that will give us the games of the future
Interactive Institute takes part in creating a network for industry, culture and research within interactive entertainment through the project "Nordic playground". This new Nordic network aims to create new games and technology for the future by building a bridge between the academic world and the interactive entertainment industry.

As the global interactive leisure software market is rapidly expanding, there is a need for fast and accurate processes as well as new methodology for product development. The best way to accomplish this is through collaboration between industry and academic research. In 2005 the Interactive Institute and Spelplan.se (Sweden), Kunnskapsparken Hedmark (Norway), Hypermedia Lab at the University of Tampere and Neogames (Finland), Learning Lab and Danish Producers Association (Denmark) together with Impra (Island) started the "Nordic Playground" project which aims to form a tight network between business and academic research. The project will work with new areas regarding game design, modalities and technology.

"This network will through its well-known partners strengthen and secure the development of interactive entertainment in the Nordic countries. Already recognized as being in a leading position, this unique mix of academic research, culture and industry in the Nordic countries will serve not only to keep that position, but to present new exiting gaming solutions", says Maria Åresund project manager for Nordic Playground.

By constructing a network of excellence consisting of research institutions and representatives from the computer game and toy industry as well as culture workers, the aim of Nordic Playground is to build a Nordic knowledge base and a forum for dissemination of research results. This will strengthen the Nordic position in a global market as the implementation of innovative features and design methods can be fast and thus competitive.

Through arranging workshops and seminars, Nordic Playground will start processes for extraction and dissemination of knowledge between participants. It will also facilitate cross disciplinary meetings, thus creating a base for new research applications and projects. First out in the line of workshops and meetings is a seminar at the Nordic Game Potential Conference, 23 -24 of November in Malmö where Spelplan.se is one of the main organizers.