gamedev xr mEETUP tHÜRINGEN

The Third Meetup

Insightful and very entertaining!

GameDev & XR Meetup Thüringen – The Third Chapter!

On October 9, 2024, the GameDev & XR community gathered once again for the third meetup, hosted at the inspiring Gründerwerkstatt neudeli of Bauhaus Universität Weimar. This evening was packed with insightful discussions, live game critiques, and of course, plenty of opportunities for networking and playtesting. The focus this time? The essential early steps of game development!

Expert Insights

The evening began with an exciting presentation by Marcus Klöppel, Professor of Game Design and Development at Macromedia University of Applied Sciences. His talk, “From Concept to Gameplay: The Essential Foundations of Game Development,” offered practical and inspiring insights into the early stages of creating a game. Marcus highlighted that the journey always begins with a spark of inspiration—whether from a game you’ve played, something you’ve read, or everyday experiences. The important thing? Stay curious, keep your eyes open, and always be ready to capture those ideas as they come.
But, as Marcus emphasized, creativity alone isn’t enough. You also need a clear sense of your target audience and the project’s scope. Who’s the game for? What can your team realistically accomplish? These questions are crucial for shaping your concept into something that can be successfully developed and, eventually, played by others.
Marcus also reminded everyone of a key principle: testing is everything. The earlier you gather feedback, the better. Regular playtesting and feedback loops allow you to fine-tune your game over time, making sure it reaches its full potential.

Highlight of the Night: “GameDev Prof Reacts to Indie Game”

A special treat for the night was the live session, “GameDev Prof Reacts to Indie Game,” where Marcus Klöppel played and gave live commentary on “Kicking Brass”, a game developed by Stepheight Studio, a team from the neudeli startup incubator. Watching a seasoned game design professor react to an indie game in real-time was both fun and insightful, providing the developers with valuable feedback while giving the audience a unique look into the expert’s thought process.

Looking Ahead

With another successful meetup behind us, the GameDev & XR community in Thüringen is becoming more connected. We’re incredibly grateful for our hosts: Bauhaus Universität Weimar’s Gründerwerkstatt neudeli. And we are thrilled to have had Marcus Klöppel provide such valuable insights into the game development process.
We’re looking forward to the fourth meetup on the 4th of December and can’t wait to see the projects and ideas that will come to life within our growing community!
Stay tuned for updates on our future events. Until then, keep creating and pushing the boundaries of what games and XR apps can do!

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