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jae @ equip canberra games, alt: games, beyond the script @jemztones.bsky.social · 03/08/2026

Naarm based Indigenous Film Festival Birrarangga is open for submissions. This year they're also accepting VR/XR & videogames. Free Early bird closes tonight with submissions open until October 22. Please share with any Indigenous devs who might be interested! filmfreeway.com/BirraranggaF...

filmfreeway.com

Birrarangga Film Festival

The Birrarangga Film Festival (BFF) is Australia’s premier Indigenous-led film festival, established in 2019 to celebrate and elevate First Nations storytell...

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jae @ equip canberra games, alt: games, beyond the script @jemztones.bsky.social · 03/08/2026

can't dm on bluesky, emails get eaten by ai... i'm glad discord worked otherwise i was gonna have to fall back to carrier pigeons

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jae @ equip canberra games, alt: games, beyond the script @jemztones.bsky.social · 18/07/2026

- Mads notes many Disco Elysium influenced games have adopted the form but are less successful in matching its substance - Cain prefers writing dialogue

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jae @ equip canberra games, alt: games, beyond the script @jemztones.bsky.social · 18/07/2026

Things the writers like or dislike in games writing: - Cecile appreciates how Disco Elysium has tricked people into reading prose and notes their use of graphical flourishes in their games is all in service of keeping people reading

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jae @ equip canberra games, alt: games, beyond the script @jemztones.bsky.social · 18/07/2026

First q is writing for yourself vs others: - Cain writes for himself but trusts it will connect with others - Cecile started writing because words needed to be there but it's probably really for them - Mads writes for themselves but wants to make sure people stay with them once they're there

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jae @ equip canberra games, alt: games, beyond the script @jemztones.bsky.social · 18/07/2026

Live Action Role-Panel with Nellie Seale, Daniel McCusker and Will K moderated by @eyeofstormcat.bsky.social talking LARPs, megagames & everything in between. Topics included testing when you can't really playtest without running your event, improvising story in response to player decisions & more

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jae @ equip canberra games, alt: games, beyond the script @jemztones.bsky.social · 18/07/2026

"modding panel!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" with @brandonhare.com and @giwake.bsky.social moderated by @eyeofstormcat.bsky.social Brandon and Giwake talk about the freedom of modding from changing a single pixel to total conversions and how it is a space for non-commercial gamemaking.

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jae @ equip canberra games, alt: games, beyond the script @jemztones.bsky.social · 18/07/2026

Dirtlove's Parable was processing a difficult time. Continuing to work on the game meant spending more time there so ultimately Shiv moved on from the game, turning some of it into an entry for this year's manifesto jam.

Slide: Heaven knows it's got to ship this time

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jae @ equip canberra games, alt: games, beyond the script @jemztones.bsky.social · 18/07/2026

Dirtlove's Parable with @siobhan.creature.love Dirtlove was going to be the red game to follow Monomyth's blue game and City of Piss' yellow game. Shiv shows us the initial conversation that begins the game. This was the only constant analysis a number of different directions were explored.

List of ideas that were explored for the game

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jae @ equip canberra games, alt: games, beyond the script @jemztones.bsky.social · 18/07/2026

The night begins with @crestofthebeast.bsky.social and @eyeofstormcat.bsky.social from the @asymptotes.au team introducing the event. Their games course focused on preparing them to work in industry. With Asymptotes they wanted to make an event that existed outside of this industrial framework.

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jae @ equip canberra games, alt: games, beyond the script @jemztones.bsky.social · 18/07/2026

Asymptotes time! It's nice to return to Balam Balam Place a few months after Brunswick Underground Film Festival 💪 This time for videogames...

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jae @ equip canberra games, alt: games, beyond the script @jemztones.bsky.social · 16/05/2026

"Festival Programmers Roundtable" at Brunswick Underground Film Festival with @jacksargeant.bsky.social former Melbourne Queer Film Festival Director Cerise Howard, former SXSW Sydney Screen team members Jordan Bastian Felix Hubble & BUFF Head of Programming @memoryendowment.bsky.social

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jae @ equip canberra games, alt: games, beyond the script @jemztones.bsky.social · 16/05/2026

"How Did You Get Started?" at Brunswick Underground Film Festival with Causeway Film's Sleena Wilson, directors Kim Miles (Mel) + Gabriel Bath & Daniel Tune (Moviejuice, Adl) + JP Meldrum (Canada) + Haruki Ryles (Bri), Golden Age Programmer Ing Dieckmann (Syd) & BUFF fest director Felix Hubble

Kim, Sleena, Gabriel, Daniel, JP & Haruki onstage with Ing & Felix to the right moderating.

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jae @ equip canberra games, alt: games, beyond the script @jemztones.bsky.social · 16/05/2026

"How to Release Your Independent Film" at Brunswick Underground Film Festival with Causeway Head of Development Sleena Wilson, Chris Swan of Madman Film Acquisitions & Sales, Everything Grows in Eden Director Jack Johnston and Static Vision co-founder & BUFF festival director Felix Hubble.

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jae @ equip canberra games, alt: games, beyond the script @jemztones.bsky.social · 16/05/2026

"BUFF Critics' Roundtable" at Brunswick Underground Film Fest with Armani Hollindale of Kinotopia, Đăng Tùng "Ringo" Bạch, @tansyg.bsky.social of @goingroguepod.bsky.social and @movingtargets.bsky.social moderated by @sameytram.bsky.social and @roughcutfilm.bsky.social co-founder Eliza Janssen

Armani, Ringo, Tansy & Jake on stools with moderators Eliza and Jamie on chairs to the right.

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jae @ equip canberra games, alt: games, beyond the script @jemztones.bsky.social · 16/05/2026

"Transgressive Cinema" with Ex Film Label Manager Leon O’Regan and Revelation Film Festival Artistic Director, academic, author & critic Jack Sargeant talking about the cinema of transgression, queer cinema, avant garde cinema, how what's shocking changes and defining what exactly transgression is?

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jae @ equip canberra games, alt: games, beyond the script @jemztones.bsky.social · 16/05/2026

"Film Clubs & Exhibition in Aus" @ Brunswick Underground Film Fest w Joseph Pallas & Ing Dieckmann (Pink Flamingo Cinema, Syd), Laurie Fletcher (Asian Cinema Collective, Mel) Daniel Tune & Shea Gallagher (Moviejuice, Adl) Bella B (Hitlist, Mel) & Kai Perrignon + Felix Hubble (BUFF / Static Vision)

Onstage left to right are Joseph, Ing, Laurie, Daniel, Shea, Bella & Kai. Felix stands to the right.

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jae @ equip canberra games, alt: games, beyond the script @jemztones.bsky.social · 16/05/2026

This year Brunswick Underground Film Festival (BUFF) is complimenting their long weekend of screenings with an industry symposium of talks and panels from filmmakers including directors, writers and producers along with critics, film clubs and diy exhibitors and film festival programmers.

Kai from Buff introducing a film. On-screen is the Buff Girl drawn by tattoo artist Onnie O'Leary.

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jae @ equip canberra games, alt: games, beyond the script @jemztones.bsky.social · 19/04/2026

Billy discusses implementation details behind different aspects of animal well including water and animation which used a mixture of traditional sprite animation and procedural animation. Billy notes the procedural animation was more uncanny so he used it more for antagonist characters

Procedural / Traditional animation slide

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jae @ equip canberra games, alt: games, beyond the script @jemztones.bsky.social · 19/04/2026

In 2017 the game looked closer to a NES game. Billy tweeted about development and the game but had limited traction and points out the 5 likes on his tweet.

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jae @ equip canberra games, alt: games, beyond the script @jemztones.bsky.social · 19/04/2026

Billy built custom editors including a screen editor for building screens for Animal Well, a sprite editor and a world editor for positioning screens. Other tools used included visual studio 2009, reaper, modified aesprite and notepad for design and task tracking.

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jae @ equip canberra games, alt: games, beyond the script @jemztones.bsky.social · 19/04/2026

For 4 of the 7 years Animal Well was in development Billy was working a full time job. Originally he only planned for it to be a one hour game. He wanted to keep scope small and stick to tools he already knew.

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jae @ equip canberra games, alt: games, beyond the script @jemztones.bsky.social · 19/04/2026

Before Animal Well Billy worked on several custom engines including a 3D one he describes as a less good version of unity.

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jae @ equip canberra games, alt: games, beyond the script @jemztones.bsky.social · 19/04/2026

Billy studied film but realised he'd rather be making games than making films. He worked at companies making educational games and mobile ports including one of mortal kombat. At one job he made a diarrhea particle which he tweeted about to make fun of his job. He notes somehow he wasn't fired.

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jae @ equip canberra games, alt: games, beyond the script @jemztones.bsky.social · 19/04/2026

Billy Basso @animalwell.bsky.social takes us through his journey up to making animal well and the tools and techniques he used to make it.

Billy onstage w The Making of Animal Well slide

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jae @ equip canberra games, alt: games, beyond the script @jemztones.bsky.social · 19/04/2026

Powerhouse Games Curator @chloeappleby.bsky.social onstage at the Alt: Features section of Alt: Games introducing today's feature talk Billy Basso talking about his career and the development of Animal Well.

Chloe onstage w slide Alt Features Billy Basso

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jae @ equip canberra games, alt: games, beyond the script @jemztones.bsky.social · 18/04/2026

To date @folly.studio have released three games - Gubbins - Real Bird, Fake Bird - Dogpile

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jae @ equip canberra games, alt: games, beyond the script @jemztones.bsky.social · 18/04/2026

At Alt: Sessions for "Colour Matters: Creating Evocative Palettes for Indie Games" with @jessicashipard.bsky.social of @folly.studio

Jessica onstage with a slide saying
"Alt: Sessions
Jessica Shipard
Colour Matters: Creating Evocative Palettes for Indie Games
Powerhouse"

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jae @ equip canberra games, alt: games, beyond the script @jemztones.bsky.social · 27/03/2026

Over 3 weeks me & @dinopoke.bsky.social, as part of @serenade.games, have been teaching interactive fiction to writers with non-games backgrounds. Now we're hosting a showcase of the games created by our participants. 📅 Sat 28th March 🕕 3pm 📍 Arts & Cultural Exchange, Parramatta See you there!

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jae @ equip canberra games, alt: games, beyond the script @jemztones.bsky.social · 20/03/2026

Arkington Owen follows with @wizardmagicgame.bsky.social and his thoughts on RPGs, being unable to switch off your logic brain when creating a fantasy world and going down development rabbit holes and loving it!

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jae @ equip canberra games, alt: games, beyond the script @jemztones.bsky.social · 20/03/2026

Next is Koji Yajima with King Out. King Out is a 1 v 1 online multiplayer chess boxing game.

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jae @ equip canberra games, alt: games, beyond the script @jemztones.bsky.social · 20/03/2026

WIP night kicks off with @reubenm.bsky.social from @noblesteedau.bsky.social introducing the night. Reuben says this is the biggest WIP night yet! Reuben gives special thanks to @xtineagerilla.bsky.social for doing all the work that makes WIP night happen!

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jae @ equip canberra games, alt: games, beyond the script @jemztones.bsky.social · 20/03/2026

We're at Arts & Cultural Exchange Parramatta for @noblesteedau.bsky.social Work In Progress Night. Supported by Screen NSW and Arts & Cultural Exchange.

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jae @ equip canberra games, alt: games, beyond the script @jemztones.bsky.social · 18/03/2026

After lunch "Funders & Fundees" panel with Screen Australia Head of Games Joey Egger, Screen Canberra CEO Holly Trueman, artsACT Program Officer Kiki Skountzos & Oppolyon Studios Co-founder Isaac Iozzi moderated by Screen Canberra Games Administrator @jarrodfn.bsky.social

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jae @ equip canberra games, alt: games, beyond the script @jemztones.bsky.social · 18/03/2026

Right after the panel Screen Canberra CEO Holly Trueman returns to the stage to announce that ACT Minister for Business, Arts and Creative Industries Michael Pettersson MLA has joined us to visit the conference, thanking him for making time for local game developers!

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jae @ equip canberra games, alt: games, beyond the script @jemztones.bsky.social · 18/03/2026

Influencer discussion continues with curators, tastemakers and a recommendation of SullyGnome for finding the best streamers for your game before talk of launch discounts vs bundles, creating value for players while still making money, DLC attach rates and creating a long tail for your game.

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jae @ equip canberra games, alt: games, beyond the script @jemztones.bsky.social · 18/03/2026

"Business & Marketing in the indie space" panel discusses wishlists, lengthy dev cycles, events, social media, community, how you can't do everything in marketing, the changing games media landscape, content creators and how the dredge demo was designed to "hook" players (Jon notes he went there)

The panel for "Business & Marketing in the indie space"

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jae @ equip canberra games, alt: games, beyond the script @jemztones.bsky.social · 18/03/2026

After morning tea, time for the panel "Business & Marketing in the indie space" with @gameconsulting.bsky.social @merryh.bsky.social Marketing Head at @wingsfund.me @classicceri.bsky.social & Amy Campbell from Uni of Canberra moderated by @maarlzipan.bsky.social from @hipsterwhaledev.bsky.social

Screen for "Business & Marketing in the indie space" with headshots with panellists.

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jae @ equip canberra games, alt: games, beyond the script @jemztones.bsky.social · 18/03/2026

The panel "Canberra: what makes us special and what do we need" features Ed Orman of Uppercut Games, @deanw.xyz of Blue Manchu, @markschramm.bsky.social , Kieran Schmidt of Branno and Michelle McPartland of @sledgehammergames.com moderated by @canberra.games Vice President & ub4q lead Ruqiyah Patel

"Canberra: what makes us special and what do we need" panel

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jae @ equip canberra games, alt: games, beyond the script @jemztones.bsky.social · 17/03/2026

Screen Canberra's first Games Administrator and @canberra.games President @jarrodfn.bsky.social introduces the first panel of the day "Canberra: what makes us special and what do we need".

Jarrod at the podium introducing the first panel of Equip Canberra Games "Canberra: what makes us special and what do we need".

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jae @ equip canberra games, alt: games, beyond the script @jemztones.bsky.social · 17/03/2026

Screen Canberra CEO Holly Trueman introduces Equip Canberra Games, thanking @nfsaonline.bsky.social for hosting us and talking about Screen Canberra's increasing support for game development with lots of praise for their newest hire @jarrodfn.bsky.social !

Slide with Screen Canberra CEO Holly Trueman

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jae @ equip canberra games, alt: games, beyond the script @jemztones.bsky.social · 17/03/2026

Senior Ngunnawal Elder Aunty Violet delivers a wry welcome to country to "the best city in this nation".

Senior Ngunnawal Elder Aunty Violet doing the welcome to country for equip canbrra games

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jae @ equip canberra games, alt: games, beyond the script @jemztones.bsky.social · 17/03/2026

Me & @dinopoke.bsky.social are visiting Canberra for Equip Canberra Games at @nfsaonline.bsky.social Very cool to see a games conference in Canberra!

Large screen displaying:

Screen Canberra
Equip: Canberra Games

CBR: Canberra
National Film and Sound Archive

Screen Canberra CEO Holly Trueman is at a podium presenting below the screen.

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jae @ equip canberra games, alt: games, beyond the script @jemztones.bsky.social · 11/10/2025

"Assembly Definitions in Unity - Better code, faster dev" with Emmet Winter showed how to reduce Unity compile times by splitting the codebase into separate assemblies so changes to one part of the code do not require recompilation of other sections of the codebase #TGLightningTalks

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jae @ equip canberra games, alt: games, beyond the script @jemztones.bsky.social · 11/10/2025

"Automate! Play your changes on Steam 2 minutes after you make them (on a shoestring budget)" with Callum Spring showed how doing automated builds are easier and more affordable than you may think using only an old computer and github actions. Start with a simple script & grow #TGLightningTalks

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jae @ equip canberra games, alt: games, beyond the script @jemztones.bsky.social · 11/10/2025

After the panel we're back to @technicallygames.bsky.social lightning talks with Jay Wingate and "Trial by Firebase". Firebase is a cloud database, now owned by Google. Some of the pain points Jay ran into included support for multiple environments and serialisation

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