Program
ISAGA conferences are places to share knowledge and participate in scholarly discourse. The conference experience will be a little bit different for each participant, where some people want to soak up new knowledge all week, some want to ask questions and have debates, and others want to focus on (re)connecting and expanding their networks. Everyone conferences differently, but the connection is key.
ISAGA is committed to providing an inclusive environment and we will do our best to accommodate requests for special assistance. We will also record all keynotes and presentations (with consent), and will share them with the ISAGA community after the conference. We have decided on the mix of synchronous (in-person) and asynchronous (remotely) set-up, as we believe this will have the most benefit for all participants.
We hope to be able to provide a quiet space at the conference but are still checking on availability. Please contact us if you are planning to attend the conference and may need such a space, or other accessibility support.
Keynotes:
Monday (8th July)
Tuesday (9th July)
Wednesday (10th July)
Thursday (11th July)
Carl Leducq
NZGDA Chair & NZ Games Producer
Title:
Follow the Flow – Understanding How Games Make Learning Easier, And How Interactive Experiences Are Building Our Future
Abstract:
Bio:
Passionate about propelling the New Zealand games industry forward, Carl brings a decade of experience as a Games Producer & QA Analyst and an unwavering passion to grow the industry here in Aotearoa. His track record spans multiple platforms & technologies, including Mobile, AR, PC, and the cutting-edge realm of Web3. Through this journey, he has worked at some of New Zealand’s largest and most successful game studios such as Gameloft Auckland, Weta Workshop, Rocketwerkz, and now Futureverse, where he is currently based. Beyond his role as a Project Manager at Futureverse, Carl is deeply involved in nurturing the game development community in New Zealand. Currently serving his fourth term as a Board Member of the NZGDA and first term as Chairperson, Carl plays a key strategic role in shaping the Association’s public image, advocating and lobbying for industry interests with government, and driving a strong industry presence through local and national events. Carl’s boundless enthusiasm for the games industry is clear in his attitude and willingness to support anyone who crosses his path. He has a burning desire and belief that the industry will skyrocket in the coming years and plans to continue exploring, learning, and supporting every facet of the industry.
Friday (12th July)
Paper Presentations:
The paper presentations are spread across all 5 conference days. More information is coming soon.
Thematic Sessions:
Thematic sessions address specific topics of Simulation and Gaming, with panel discussions, paper presentations, and other formats. More information is coming soon.
Workshops and Demos:
More information is coming soon.
Poster Presentations:
Posters demonstrate the early stages of research and development in line with the conference topic. Posters will be presented at dedicated times and locations throughout the week, to allow a lively discussion of early stage work. Please see the program for more details. More information is coming soon.
Game Exhibition and HIT Lab NZ Open Day:
The Thursday (11th July) afternoon will be dedicated to demonstrating local game developments. Conference participants will be able to connect to local game developers. We will also open the doors to HIT Lab NZ, where research projects and immersive (game) technologies can be experienced.
Social Program:
Connection is key!
We will celebrate (re)connecting at a central Christchurch location on Tuesday night, to welcome all participants in a festive environment.
Wednesday afternoon (10th July) is dedicated to experiencing the community and the location – we will have three different social events for different interests, in Nature, History, and Culture in and around Ōtautahi Christchurch.
On Thursday night (11th July), we will come together in the hills over Christchurch to celebrate the successes of our community, to look back to the (most of the) conference week, and into the future of upcoming conferences.
We will close the conference with a wrap-up action, and the traditional tree-planting ceremony close to the conference venue.