brisbane
Culture
“Fly Gabe Newell” Raises $3000
2:00AM Owen Good | A modder’s fund drive to call Gabe Newell’s joke bluff, and fly the Valve boss plus a producer to Australia to preview his Left 4 Dead campaign, has surpassed $US3000 in less than a week. Pack your bags, Mr. Newell. More »
Media
3:00PM David Wildgoose | When Pandemic’s Australian studio closed down earlier this year, two projects got canned: their Batman game and a mysterious Wii project. Here’s an internal trailer for that Wii title, codenamed “The Next Big Thing”. More »
The Open World Hollywood Wii Game That Never Was
3:00PM David Wildgoose | When Pandemic’s Australian studio closed down earlier this year, two projects got canned: their Batman game and a mysterious Wii project. Here’s an internal trailer for that Wii title, codenamed “The Next Big Thing”. More »
News
3:00PM David Wildgoose | The police were called in as the winner of a design competition held by Brisbane developer Halfbrick was announced. More »
Cops Called In At Game Design Competition
3:00PM David Wildgoose | The police were called in as the winner of a design competition held by Brisbane developer Halfbrick was announced. More »
Rumours
10:22AM David Wildgoose | We’ve seen some really rough animation clips of Pandemic’s Dark Knight game that was canned late last year. But how about some actual in-game screenshots?
More »
Rumour: Is This Pandemic’s Dark Knight Game?
10:22AM David Wildgoose | We’ve seen some really rough animation clips of Pandemic’s Dark Knight game that was canned late last year. But how about some actual in-game screenshots?
More »
Rumours
3:21PM David Wildgoose | Pandemic’s Brisbane studio is no more, the result of ongoing cost and headcount reductions throughout Electronic Arts. To put it kindly, EA restored the studio’s independence; in effect, they washed their hands of several years of aborted projects and management decisions. In the aftermath, we have heard from several inside sources who have each shared their thoughts on how it all went wrong.
More »
How Pandemic’s Dark Knight Turned Into A Nightmare
3:21PM David Wildgoose | Pandemic’s Brisbane studio is no more, the result of ongoing cost and headcount reductions throughout Electronic Arts. To put it kindly, EA restored the studio’s independence; in effect, they washed their hands of several years of aborted projects and management decisions. In the aftermath, we have heard from several inside sources who have each shared their thoughts on how it all went wrong.
More » Yug’s ‘Unofficial’ GenCon Oz After-Party
4:00PM Logan Booker | Looks like Yug from Australian Gamer is holding a gathering of sorts for the folks heading to this year’s inaugural GenCon Oz. According to the invite, it’s technically the third such event that Yug’s held, but I’m sure he doesn’t have anything against pen and paper or tabletop gamers.
If you happen to be in the area of Fortitude Valley on 5 July, you might want to think of dropping by.
Brisbane Gamers Meetup [via Sumea] More » 
AFK Cafe Leaves Keyboard Forever
11:30AM Logan Booker | With relatively speedy broadband available to most homes, the allure of the Internet cafe, and even the friendly LAN, is not what it once was. The thriving community of like-minded gamers looking for low pings and a safe environment away from the prying eyes of parents, significant others and correctional officers is dying a slow death.
Tipster Quadlex sends word that the AFK Cafe, based in Woolloongabba, Brisbane, has just closed its doors, citing financial strain and other commitments as the reasons for its demise.
According to Quadlex, AFK Cake was home to a variety of gamers, not just the electronic sort. Tabletop fans found solace within its walls, and the venue provide excellent food and atmosphere. Apparently the owners were a bit of alright too.
A disappointing day for Brisbane gamers and a reflection of the changing face of the pastime in general. You can read the owner’s final statement after the jump. More » 
