Crashing into Game Design: A sometimes useful model for beginning (or jaded) designers by Richard Durham

This year we are hosting a series of sessions on board game related topics with a focus on community. Expect panels, presentations, workshops and the unexpected. The Orbit Sessions are for the curious gamer who wants something a little bit special and to broaden their perspective.

Sessions

The Playful Path to Learning: A presentation by Ben Hawken, Chris Johnston & Richard Durham

10:30 - 11:30, Saturday 3 June

Ben Hawken, co-designer of the popular te reo Māori learning game Tākoro, Chris Johnston, Kaiārahi Ako Creative Media at Raroa Intermediate and Richard Durham, member of the Creative Arts and Industries faculty at the University of Auckland, team up for this series of micro presentations.

A Journey through Inclusion and Accessibility in Board Games: Workshop by Aaron & Caroline Hodder

13:00 - 14:00, Saturday 3 June

Through an interactive approach, this workshop aims to promote a better understanding of the challenges that individuals with disabilities may face in accessing board games. Caroline & Aaron Hodder share the wealth of their experience to help participants gain a better understanding of the potential for board games to be inclusive and accessible to all, and be equipped with strategies for creating more inclusive gaming environments.

Crashing into Game Design: A sometimes useful model for beginning (or jaded) designers by Richard Durham

14:30 - 15:30, Saturday 3 June 2023

Richard has designed 30+ games across various media. His diverse and award-nominated works include audio adventures, festivals, immersive theatre, tabletop, and transformational games for organisations. He is a member of the Creative Arts and Industries faculty at the University of Auckland, an organising member of Game Artisans NZ and a regular speaker at conferences in NZ on games and gameful learning.

Whether you are looking to design your first game, or you are a jaded game designer looking for a fresh perspective, this session explores a model that can help you clarify your goals, find inspirations from different facets of a game, and make compromises that lead to a more coherent experience. 

Kiwi Success Story: A talk by Shem Philips from Garphill Games

16:00 - 17:00, Saturday 3 June 2023
From designing and publishing small card games in his living room, to running massively successful Kickstarter campaigns, Shem will be sharing how he grew his humble hobby into an internationally renowned company and brand. Having three titles in the top 100 on boardgamegeek.com, and continuing to release award-winning games, learn about some of the challenges he faced, and lessons he learned along the way.

The Art of Making Board Games: A presentation by Paul Tobin & Claire Hackett, Arkus Games

17:30 - 18:30, Saturday 3 June 2023

Where do you start when it comes to choosing a theme and art style for it? Join Paul & Claire from Arkus Games as they lift the lid and reveal their visual design process covering world-building, thematics, art direction and user experience through graphic design.

Paul has spent over two decades working in the entertainment industry as an Art Director and Concept Designer. During his time at Wētā Workshop he worked on well known international films, television and game projects. Paul co-founded Arkus Games in 2019 where he serves as Creative Director on titles such as Shelfie Stacker, Dreadful Meadows and the forthcoming Storm Raiders.

Claire has cast her skills into many amazing worlds, helping them come to life. As an Art Director, her talents have been credited to several Marvel TV shows. From sunrise she can be found conjuring up the talents of up-and-coming artists as a lecturer at Massey University. As the sun sets, the magic continues through her personal projects into the mysterious gothic and terrifying world of folklore.