As a starter, we're unhappy with the situation as it stands with R18+ games in Australia. So, rather than just continue to complain in ways that those in power have little care for or start another ineffectual petition, we're going to do something about it. Accordingly, eGames will form the launch of a structured program run by PALGN to communicate our opinion as gamers to our political representatives. To be effectual, we need your help.
Over the next few weeks we'll be progressively publishing a series of templates, instructions, and information sources to help communicate our point of view to our elected representatives. All you'll need to do is follow the instructions; as a community service, we're more than happy to do the legwork, research, and preparation. However, it's up to you to make your voice heard, and if the situation is to change, making your voice heard is the only answer - change will only come through attention, publicity, and a coordinated push by as many Australian gamers as possible.
In addition to the communication collateral we're preparing, we're also going to be creating a tangible demonstration of consolidated voter opinion over the full three days at eGames by collecting as many backing signatures and contact details as possible in support of an R18+ rating for games. We're going to take this on the road, sending it across Australia to get as much more support as we can. Once we've covered the nation, we'll be sending multiple copies of the contents to the Classification Board, every Attorney General, and relevant political representatives across the nation. More importantly, we'll also be sending copies to industry representatives and major Australian media outlets. It's important to remember that this isn't a replacement for direct communication - it's simply a very tangible representation of how important this issue is to so many people. Stay tuned for more details.
On a lighter note, we'll also be running a number of competitive matches, complete with play-offs, live at the booth. Keeping up the competitive aggression, our game of choice will be Smackdown vs. Raw 2009, and our talk of choice trash. Stop by, sign up, and see how you go; maybe you'll be the one to lay down the ultimate smackdown.
eGames will also mark our first tentative step into the wonderful world of game design. Seeing as we're better writers than we are artists, all day Saturday we're going to be holding an open workshop to brainstorm the design of an interactive fiction game for distribution after eGames. In a single day, we're going to go through all stages of design; we'll be picking the genre, defining the tone, creating the characters, developing the puzzles, and otherwise having a blast. Once the game has been designed, we're going to create the game and make it available right here on PALGN. Everyone who participates in the design will get a mention in the game credits, and if you're really committed, you may even get a character named after you!
Our podcasting team will also be on the floor to take opinions, get feedback, and otherwise find out what the real Australian gamer is thinking. Let us know what you're playing, what you're thinking, what you're enjoying, or alternatively, what you're not and why! If you're keen, watch out for the guys with the microphone - we'll be there, most likely within a stone's throw of the booth.
And, this is only the start - there's plenty more yet to be announced. If you're at eGames for any of the three days, make sure to stop by the PALGN booth; something's sure to be happening! We're quite literally going to be smack-bang in the middle of the action, almost dead-centre on the floor between the two stages.
Keep your eye out for further announcements, and otherwise, see you at eGames!
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