expressing ideas in the moment: haiku games with Downpour

In an experimental process that can double as design prototype and creative act, participants will create brief and evocative interactive experiences in Downpour – an easy-to-use tool for making games on your phone – or optionally another more familiar tool of their choosing.

The language of videogames past and present is full of technological and gameplay expectations. We will shed many of these expectations in pursuit of a more immediate creative process.

Upon completion of the workshop, participants will have created one or more complete experiences, as a way to playfully explore the themes of deu(s ex) machina.

This workshop is presented as part of the Vector Festival 2024 Game Jam: deu(s ex) machina. Registration for this workshop is also open to the general public; participants will learn alongside the selected game jammers.

WORKSHOP PRE-REQUISITES

• Smartphone with Downpour for iOS / Android -- the free app is sufficient
• Downpour works best if you can take photos, so consider what you might like to take photos of
• Participants are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the deu(s ex) machina Game Jam thematic.
  
  

ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR
alexander martin / droqen is best known for starseed pilgrim, but has spent decades (too long, surely) thinking about and making games of all sorts - often slipping poetry and pixel art together, sometimes accompanied by photographs, multiplayer, or creative prompts. in recent years a Godot user, but enjoys working in many materials digital & otherwise.

ABOUT VECTOR FESTIVAL
Vector Festival is an experimental media arts festival dedicated to showcasing digital games and creative media practices. Presenting works across a dynamic range of exhibitions, screenings, performances, lectures, and workshops, Vector acts as a critical bridge between emergent digital platforms and new media art practice. The festival is proud to be a participatory and community-oriented initiative organized by InterAccess in Toronto, Ontario.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

MEMBER PRICING
InterAccess Studio Members receive a 35% discount on all workshops. To activate Studio Member pricing, click "Do you have an access code?" at checkout and enter your Member discount code.

EQUITY ACCESS PRICING
To reduce financial barriers, a pay-what-you-can (PWYC) discount is available for any community members that self-identify as part of an equity-seeking group, which includes (but is not limited to) disabled, Black, Indigenous, students, and newcomers. To request an Equity Access code to use for workshop registration, please email education@interaccess.org. To activate Equity Access pricing, click "Do you have an access code?" at checkout and enter the Equity Access code.

ACCESSIBILITY INFORMATION
We regret that at this time InterAccess does not have barrier-free access; we are currently working to improve the accessibility of all facilities. There are five steps up to our main entrance, with automatic doors. Once inside all facilities are on the same level, and there is an accessible single-user washroom inside the unit.

CANCELLATION AND RESCHEDULING POLICY
Please email education@interaccess.org to request a refund. We are unable to accommodate attendee cancellations or refunds less than 1 week prior to a workshop or event. InterAccess reserves the right to cancel or reschedule this workshop if necessary.

COVID-19 INFORMATION
For indoor events, InterAccess strongly encourages all attendees to wear masks/face-coverings to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission and to ensure the continued health and safety of staff, facilitators, and fellow attendees. We ask that staff and participants screen themselves for COVID-19 symptoms before visiting our space.