In May, the games will be officially unveiled at a Bentway event.

Compensation will include a $600 honorarium per participant, plus meals and transportation.

[button size=” style=” text=’Apply to Be a Participant!’ icon=” icon_color=” link=’https://forms.gle/RjVW5FPH3kwDmR6n8′ color=” hover_color=” border_color=” hover_border_color=” background_color=” hover_background_color=” font_style=” font_weight=” text_align=” margin=”]

Submissions are open until February 28. Artists will be confirmed in early March. Selected participants must be available for all on-site sessions, and the launch event. Creators from non-gaming backgrounds are highly encouraged to apply.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”grid” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern” css_animation=”” css=”.vc_custom_1580788041896{margin-top: 40px !important;}”][vc_column][vc_column_text]

Inspiration

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”grid” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern” css_animation=””][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]What kind of games will you be making? They’ll be non-digital. They’ll need to be playable with no supplies at all, or only those that people commonly carry around. They’ll need to be simple enough to be fully playable after reading the instructions off of a sign. They’ll need to be accessible enough to be played by the wide range of visitors who pass through the space.  

We’re not after deep strategy or rich immersion here. The goal is to encourage playful exploration The Bentway, and an engagement with the issues it presents, as an urban experiment that knits together seven neighbourhoods and serves as a public space in the heart of the city. Think about poem-like games that evoke a mood, explore a thought, or examine an interaction in a focused way.

Of course, the games will also need to be fleshed out and playable, since they’ll be seen by thousands! That’s why we’re making sure to facilitate playtesting sessions during the design process.

Still not sure what we’re looking for? This project was inspired by initiatives like the ones included in the list to the right. Check out the links, get inspired, and don’t forget to apply by February 28![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]

Playlist

Six for Bricks
by Hand Eye Society

Casual Games for Protesters
by Molleindustria and Harry Giles

Tiny Games
by Hide&Seek

Games For People
by Pat Ashe and George Buckenham

A Small Book with Games In It
by Gloam Collective

Games for Walkers
by Harry Giles

Casual Games for Casual Hikers
by Aitch Giles

Games at Dorset Park
by Hand Eye Society[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”grid” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern” css_animation=”” css=”.vc_custom_1580788062957{margin-top: 50px !important;}”][vc_column][vc_column_text]

FAQ

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern” css_animation=””][vc_column][vc_column_text]What will the final game installations look like? 

We’re working out the specifics of the exact format. However, the final game instructions will be passed onto a graphic designer who will produce some form of signage, which will printed and posted in the space. The visual footprint of this project is important to all parties, so expect something cool!

What’s the final deliverable? Am I expected to help out with creating the actual installation? 

Participants just need to produce final game instructions in text form. We’ll take it from there. Here’s an example of our past game jam completed for Evergreen Brick Works that was turned into a zine!

What’s the process and time commitment like?

Participants will be on-site for one “game jam”-ish day, where you’ll explore the site, talk to Bentway staff, and riff on ideas with one another. Several weeks later, you’ll meet up again on-site for a few hours to playtest your ideas. And several weeks after that, you’ll meet up one more time to do a final test and finalize their games. You are expected to do some of the conceptual design and development on your own time in between sessions.

You’ll also need to be on-site for the launch weekend, where you’ll be asked to show off your game to groups a few times each day.

Travel and food for the on-site sessions will be covered.

I have more questions!

Send us an email at info@handeyesociety.com![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern” css_animation=”” css=”.vc_custom_1580788367679{margin-top: 50px !important;}”][vc_column][vc_column_text]

In Partnership With

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In case you missed it, back in April we hosted our very first game jam at Evergreen Brick Works. We brought together six participants over a span of three days to brainstorm, build and submit a game project based on the interconnected networks of natural and urban systems at the space, and it was a great success! But now, there’s more!

The final game concepts have been documented and transformed into a printed and digital zine that has been designed by Chris White and illustrated by 6 local artists from Toronto!

Cost: The zine will cost $5 for the greyscale version and $20 for the full-colour version. A Pay What You Can initiative also available for the greyscale zine. All proceeds will go towards supporting the creators.

Please come celebrate, mingle and support us as we celebrate the conclusion of our first quarter of our Game Curious program at Evergreen Brick Works. Also, if you missed playing the games from the previous game jam, the participants and their creations will be back for your playing pleasure!

See you next month!

[button size=’large’ style=” text=’RSVP for the zine launch!’ icon=” icon_color=” link=’https://www.facebook.com/events/2331258093762292/’ target=’_self’ color=” hover_color=” border_color=” hover_border_color=” background_color=” hover_background_color=” font_style=” font_weight=” text_align=” margin=”]

Evergreen Brick Works, Pavilions

June 16th

11am – 3pm

Want to fight fascism and make games? Then this is the jam for you!

The Hand Eye Society and Game Workers Unite Toronto are co-hosting an Antifascist Game Jam in Toronto alongside our friends at Curieux de Jeux / Game Curious Montréal and various locations around the world. If you aren’t exactly sure what anti-fascism is or not sure if you can make a game, check out the Antifa Game Jam itch.io page for a comprehensive overview about anti-fascism, simple game-making tools and tutorials, and other frequently asked questions available in French, Portuguese, Italian, and Spanish.

Have a game idea but not sure how to put it together? Bring it! Want to work together with other people to fight fascism by making games? Come on by! Rather jam on some ideas than jam on a game? You’re more than welcome to come!

[button size=large” style=” text=’Register for the Toronto site here!’ icon=” icon_color=” link=’https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScaaj3lVImV_4o-TX2_XjCkV-7GGMIQQmJyNKRj9AGxsGDHFw/viewform’_self’ color=” hover_color=” border_color=” hover_border_color=” background_color=” hover_background_color=” font_style=” font_weight=” text_align=” margin=”]

Facebook Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/354304015191018/

Accessibility details: We will provide free snacks including vegan and gluten-free options. The location is wheelchair accessible and there are gender neutral bathrooms on the premises.

All participants are expected to read and abide by our Safer Space Policy. The International Anti-fascist Game Jam is co-organized by Curieux de Jeux / Game Curious Montréal, Ataque, and Montréal Antifasciste and is being held in multiple locations in Bari, Italy, Bothenburg, Sweden and participants from different Brazilian cities.

Thanks to Game Curious Montréal for putting together all this information 

MEET THE JAMMERS

PUBLIC ZINE LAUNCH

        

The birds are tweeting, the trees are budding and winter is taking its very last breath. Hurray! Winter is dying! Now that winter is (almost) gone we can really get to the good stuff. You’ve had the pleasure of meeting our game jammers, and now it’s time to meet our talented artists who will work alongside our jammers to create a zine through our programming with Evergreen Brick Works!

These participants will be paired with our jammers and release a zine booklet, which will be released on Sunday June 16th! More details on that coming soon~

Without further ado, our illustrators!

Lina Wu

Instagram/Portfolio

Lina Wu is an artist, illustrator, and storyteller from Toronto. She is figuring out how to be soft and strong at the same time.

Pree Rehal

Personal Instagram/Art Instagram

Pree (pronouns: they/them) is basically a trans Batman (except not rich, also not a white dude), they are an Account Manager by day, artist by night.

Vincy Lim

Portfolio/Instagram

Vincy Lim is a Chinese-Canadian illustrator whose work revolves around their queer, disabled, and abused identity. Their work focuses on self-love, humanizing disability, and creating an understanding around abuse. In addition to supporting survivors through shared experiences, and telling them the importance, and the fact, of healing.

Shel Kahn

Twitter/Instagram/Website/Comics

Shel Kahn is an illustrator, cartoonist, game designer and educator. Her work in tabletop RPGs includes art, writing, self publishing, GMing and mentorship; she also self-publishes comics and teaches art, games and more with local Toronto community organizations, museums and schools.

Hayden Maynard

Twitter/Website/Instagram

Hayden is an illustrator and cartoonist. He grew up in Kingston, Ontario and currently lives in Toronto. Nowadays he mostly sit in his apartment and draw pictures.

Alejandra Paton

Instagram/Website

Alejandra is a designer and administrator based in Toronto. Her illustration work has been published by Creative Quarterly, Format Magazine, Broken Pencil, and Applied Arts Magazine. She is a graduate of OCAD University with a Bachelor’s in Illustration, and a Graduate degree in Arts Administration from Humber College.

In Partnership With

*Takes in a breath of fresh air* Is spring really here??…The mud’s replacing the ice, it’s raining a lot, like A LOT, and the garbage is unearthing itself from the various snow banks. This wonderfully confusing time of year is just in time for our Spring Jam as part of the Game Curious at Evergreen Brick Works programming. We are super excited to announce our line up of game jam participants who will spend 3 days to create a game inspired by the various systems living at the Evergreen Brick Works.

Interested to see what they end up making? Us too! You can come and play test their games on Sunday, April 7 from 1-3pm in the Young Welcome Centre at Evergreen Brick Works. In part 2 of the Spring Jam program, 6 local illustrators will be paired up with each of the game jam participants and create a ‘zine booklet that we will be distributing on Sunday, June 16 also at the Evergreen Brick Works (stay tuned for more details!).

Say hello to our Spring Jam participants below!

Jord Farrell
Twitter

In the past 5 years, Jord Farrell has made hundreds of games.

Ananda Gabo
Twitter / Instagram

Ananda is a designer/ veg cook/ microbe collaborator/ maker. They are accumulating a lot of weird skill sets in anticipation of running a weird farm.

Ben Moull
Twitter

Ben Moull is a sometimes writer, wanderer, economist, and hobbyist game designer. They live, work and play in Toronto.

Jacob Niedzwiecki
Twitter / Instagram

Jacob Niedzwiecki is a software developer, filmmaker, and choreographer whose work fuses code, media, and movement into inventive new forms. His immersive app-based performance Jacqueries won the Vanguard Prize for Risk and Innovation at the 2014 SummerWorks festival, and toured internationally. He has created app-based experiences in collaboration with TIFF, bluemouth inc, Peggy Baker Dance Projects, It’s Not a Box Theatre, and others.

Sebastian Pines
Twitter

Sebastian Pines is an artist, academic, and neutral good gnome druid with a keen interest in roleplaying games and queerness. The themes of their body of work revolve around queer identity and queer modes of play. They also have a penchant for the macabre and love all manner of spooky media.

Phoenix Simms
Twitter / Medium

Phoenix is the former managing editor of Third Person, Toronto’s premier site for diverse and story-driven games coverage. She’s also a biracial game writer and illustrator who’s fascinated by the intersection of art and science, urban and green spaces, as well as exterior versus interior realities. She migrated from a visual arts diploma to a masters in English literature, with a self-directed focus on game studies.

In Partnership with

This program is part of Game Curious at Evergreen Brick Works, a free, public event series that uses game design and playful media as a lens to explore interconnected systems of urban sustainability, food security, arts/culture, history, and technology. Based on our popular Game Curious initiative, programming will take place on-site at Evergreen Brick Works in the Don Valley over the course of one year, activating different areas and audiences throughout the changing of the seasons.

Spring Jam 2019

Ah, spring. A time for cherry blossoms, sweater weather, and game jams!

You may ask, “But what is a game jam, anyway?” Think of it this way: Say you took an artist, someone who knew how to program, and a designer, and told them to make Super Mario in 3 days. That’s the traditional definition of a game jam as we know it.

This jam is different. We’re looking for 6 artists, thinkers, and dreamers from various disciplines, who have the ability to distill current challenges and future dreams into small, poetic game-like experiences that go beyond the digital screen. Inspired by projects like Casual Games for Protesters (Molleindustria and Harry Giles), Tiny Games (Hide&Seek), and A Small Book with Games In It (Gloam Collective), selected participants will tour Evergreen Brick Works in the Don Valley to learn about its history and various initiatives. They will then spend another 2 days in April designing playful, bite-sized interactive works based on the interconnected networks of natural and urban systems at the site. The final game concepts will be documented in the form of a digital and printed zine, designed by Chris White and illustrated by local artists.

Details

We are looking for 6 game jammers and 6 zine illustrators, no game-making experience necessary. Submissions are open until February 28. Jammers and illustrators will be confirmed early March. Selected jammers must be fully available for all three on-site days, and the zine launch.

[button size=” style=” text=’Click here for more information, FAQ, and application form!’ icon=” icon_color=” link=’http://handeyesociety.com/game-curious-spring-jam/’ color=” hover_color=” border_color=” hover_border_color=” background_color=” hover_background_color=” font_style=” font_weight=” text_align=” margin=”]

Jam Sessions: April 5 to 7 (Friday, Saturday, Sunday)
Zine Launch: Sunday, June 16

Compensation will include a $500 honorarium per game jammer, plus meals and transportation. Zine illustrators will be paid $200 per image.

Partners

Game Curious at Evergreen Brick Works is a Toronto Arts Council (TAC) Animating Historic Sites program in partnership with Evergreen. TAC is the City of Toronto’s funding body for artists and arts organizations. Since 1991, Evergreen, a Canadian charity and international thought leader, has provoked bold action in transforming public landscapes into thriving community spaces with environmental, social and economic benefits.