By Te Arikirangi Mamaku, Game Masters event producer
As the countdown to 2013 quickly approached, our Summer exhibition season of Game Masters opened with a mini-invasion of aliens, super-soldiers, fantasy elves, Norse gods, and stormtroopers. Unsuspecting visitors encountered face-epainting fairies and a magician who immortalised giant heads on teeny tiny bodies. It was too much fun to handle – and drew hundreds of visitors on a rare sunny day in New Zealand’s capital city.
The local Asari occupy Te Papa’s Wellington Foyer at Game Masters opening day events, with event producer Te Arikirangi Mamaku. Photograph by Norm Heke, Te Papa
Adult only experiences
As the silly season came to an end, a select group of adults from around the country got a private glimpse into Game Masters, with the addition of food, drink, and special entertainment. There was a Dance Off a la Dance Central 3. (Think karaoke, but with more wiggling. A lot more wiggling.)
Michelle Wylie and Chris Parnell wiggle their way to victory at December’s Premium Experience. Image by Big Mark Photography.
Module goes live
The first event of the New Year exploded with the force of a sonic boom and dazzling laser lights. Captain Module (aka Jeramiah Ross), and the troops from the Interrupt Collective, led his troops into battle with two spectacular live shows as he performed the music of Shatter. The second of the two shows had both full-grown adults and littlies bouncing to the rhythm of the synths. In a very public statement (Facebook status update) Captain Modge is quoted as saying that ‘he kind of felt like a Wiggle’. I’m assuming he meant an Australian Wiggle, which is sadly not as groovy as a Dance Central type of wiggle.
Module and the boys of the Interrupt Collective prepare for battle at Module Live: The Music of Shatter. Image by Big Mark Photography
NZ gamers go wild
February came screaming in with all the rollicking hi-jinx of Wellington’s annual Rugby 7s costume party. It goes without saying that there were enough moustachioed Italian plumbers around to make a princess blush. Unfortunately, it had nothing to do with Game Masters being on, but the timing was fortuitous … for Museum folk and princesses alike.
DaFrontlineTrooper showcasing Forerunner technology at Te Papa. Image by Norm Heke, Te Papa
As the city cleaned all the 7s fun from the streets of the Capital, Museum folk setup a display of pretend alien weaponry. It had been constructed by one frontline trooper and used in a stunning public demonstration of craftsmanship. Imagine the excitement of a 20-year-old who commands the undivided attention of over 16,000 Youtubers by literally carving out his own future. If you want another glimpse, just Google ‘dafrontline trooper’.
Valentines Date night with a difference.. and a Welsh/Samoan Comedian. Image by Big Mark Photography
February and beyond
And hitting mid-February, you’d be foolish to miss these gatherings that carry you through to March:
- Gamers Quest VI: Final Gear Halo Kart … Online. It’s a comedy night on Valentines. Think date night, with the added romance of gamers getting bonus points with their significant others.
- Game Masters: The Premium Experience. Food, drink, and videogames on a Friday night? Why not.
- Game Changes: The Kiwi Story. In this free family event, you get to listen to the epic stories of some of our own Game Masters. Did you realise that a guy in Hawke’s Bay has made mobile games that have peaked millions of App Store downloads? No? well … you can hear it from the proverbial horse’s mouth.
- Media Design School 3D Animation and Game Making. One of the presenters is an acclaimed film maker, and the other has a BAFTA (that’s the British one that played on the box on Monday). Hard to believe, but this is also a Free event.
Bragging aside, these are definitely worth further investigation.
Final thoughts
In the next blog, I review the week’s events and highlight the superstars and sessions that feature in the epic Game Masters: The Forum. To tide you over, I’ll leave you with this little piece of mesmerising artistry.
Play it. Love it!
