melbourne

arcade

Street Fighter IV, Now At Crown Casino

Australian Post Posted by Logan Booker at 12:30 PM on August 18, 2008

sf4_crown.jpgReader Jesse's keen eyes spotted a pair of arcade machines set up next to the entry of the "Galactic Circus", a video arcade situated in Melbourne's Crown Casino. Yes, that's Street Fighter IV, and for $2 you too can enjoy its fierce fearsomeness.

In Jesse's words: "Best thing is, this place never closes, so If I get the urge to play as Guile, I can get my 'Sonic Booms' on at 3AM". You can find a second shot after the jump.

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events

ACMI's Game On Expo Ends This Weekend, Going For World Record

Australian Post Posted by Logan Booker at 4:30 PM on July 9, 2008

Game On, the ACMI's tribute to all things gaming, is drawing to a close. July 13 is its last day - and your final chance to check it out.

That's not all. Including its adventures in Chicago, London, Hong Kong and other cities, Game On is damn close to breaking the world record for expo attendence. From the release:

The overwhelming successful season puts the four month run at ACMI ahead of the London Barbican Gallery's attendance record of 99.500, and second only to the exhibition's seven month run at Chicago's Museum of Science and Industry, which attracted 127,000 during a seven month run in a city with triple the population of Melbourne.

"Furthermore, if our attendance this week remains consistent, we'll go achingly close to setting a new world record for the exhibition's visitation by the time Game On is game over on Sunday night," [ACMI Director Tony Sweeney] said.
Come on folks, we can do it! If you're in Melbourne (or interstate this weekend), make the effort and attend this fantastic expo. Opportunities to break world records don't appear every day... unless of course you do nothing but eat nickels* and play Pac-Man.

Press release after the jump.

* It's a Family Guy reference - apologies in advance for the use of US currency.

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events

Wii Championships In Melbourne This Weekend

Australian Post Posted by Logan Booker at 2:00 PM on July 2, 2008

wii_champ.jpgDo you have mad Wii Sports skills? A Wii remote bowling arm that rivals those of real world professionals? Does the idea of winning things excite you?

If you said "yes" or nodded your head with restrained enthusiasm at any of these questions, you should check out the Wii Championships in Melbourne's Federation Square. Activities will run between 10AM and 5PM on July 5 & 6, with daily champions receiving a Wii and five games. 500 Wii backpacks are also available for keen entrants.

As an aside, the ACMI's Game On exhibition ends on July 13, so if you do head down, be sure to check this out while you have the chance.

Full release after the jump.

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events

Play Guitar Hero, Win An Epiphone SG Guitar

Australian Post Posted by Logan Booker at 12:30 PM on May 13, 2008

gh_champ.jpgNothing planned for May 21, live in Victoria and enjoy a bit of Guitar Hero? The Northern Melbourne Institute of TAFE (NMIT) is holding its own GH championships at the Evelyn Hotel in Fitzroy. It's all part of an assessment for the NMIT's Event & Venue Management students.

You can purchase tickets beforehand at $10 a pop, or cough up $12 at the door. If you feel your skills are particularly excellent, $5 will get you into the competition. An Epiphone SG guitar is up for grabs if your jamming proves the most dazzling.

Hit the jump for more details.

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real world

Wii Fit Trams It Up

Australian Post Posted by Logan Booker at 4:00 PM on April 30, 2008

wiitram_1.jpgTipster Luke sent us this shot of a Melbourne tram decorated with Wii Fit advertising. Not content with just sharing the pictures, Luke provided us with his perspective:

The irony of promoting a fitness product on a vehicle designed to minimise walking definitely put a smile on my face.
If you were walking down the street and saw this zoom by, would you point and laugh? I'd be too busy trying to catch my breath... you know, from all the outside movement.

Another shot after the jump.

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events

 · Dates for 2008 eGames Expo Announced: We had so much fun at the last one, we can't wait to see what's in store for this year. If you'd like to join in the activities, make sure you're at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre between November 14 and 18. Yes, it's months and months away, but there's nothing wrong with making arrangements early.

industry news

Tantalus Trying To Tempt Testers

Australian Post Posted by Logan Booker at 11:30 AM on March 18, 2008

tantalus_left.jpgIf the crazy and unnecessary alliteration failed to inform, Tantalus is looking for people to test its games. As usual, no experience is required, but a love of electronic entertainment is definitely a plus.

According to the job description, positions are for three months only, so if you're not already in Melbourne, it may be out of your reach. Unless you're related to Inspector Gadget, in which case you can probably just go-go-Gadget there and back.

Have I gone slightly mad? Maybe!

If you'd like to help the developer iron out the bugs in its latest titles, or even get taste of how games are made, be sure to check this opportunity out. Oh, and don't forget that Tantalus is looking to fill a couple of more senior roles as well.

Welcome to Tantalus Interactive [Official site, via Sumea]

announcements

Game On Ticket Competition, Week 1 Ends In Just A Few Days!

Australian Post Posted by Logan Booker at 12:30 PM on March 10, 2008

gameon_cut.jpgWe still have our first batch of three tickets to give away for the Game On exhibit, so if you haven't entered already, or have another retro gaming experience you'd like to share, put fingers to keyboard and email us! Then, be sure to check the site this Wednesday when we announce the winners.

For specific info on how to enter, hit up the original post.

The exhibit opened mid-last week and has a few months of excitement left to go. The official site has everything you need to read to convince you of its awesomeness.

Thanks again to the ACMI for supplying the tickets for the comp.

Week 1: Win Tickets To Melbourne's Game On Exhibit [Kotaku AU]

announcements

Week 1: Win Tickets To Melbourne's Game On Exhibit!

Australian Post Posted by Logan Booker at 12:30 PM on March 5, 2008

gameon_cut.jpgDid you know the Game On exhibit down in Melbourne starts tomorrow? Tomorrow, of all days!

Ah, who am I kidding? There's nothing wrong with March 6, and I have no problem with July 13 either. That's that day the exhibit ends, if you were wondering. In fact, it gives you quite a few months to check out the event's selection of antique consoles, famous artwork and retro games.

Sounds delicious, no? Good thing we have six tickets to give away over two weeks then! To be in the running, just describe your most memorable retro gaming experience in fewer than 50 words and email it to tips@kotaku.com.au with the subject "Game On comp".

A few things to keep in mind:

  • You can enter multiple times, but if you win one week, you won't be eligible to win again the following week.
  • Entries that don't win in the first week will be eligible to win the following week, so don't resend them!
  • The winners for the first batch of tickets will be announced on March 12. Winners for the second batch will be announced on 19 March.
    [Terms and Conditions]

    Thanks to the ACMI for making the competition possible. Youse are awesome.

    Game On [ACMI]

  • eGames 2007: Playing With Cosplay

    Australian Post Posted by Logan Booker at 11:30 AM on November 27, 2007

    egames_cosplay1.jpgDoes the headline sound dirty? It shouldn't. Honest.

    There was actually quite a bit more cosplay strolling around the show floor than what I managed to snap, but I like to think I got the best of the bunch.

    After the jump there's a guy in a blue robe and a chick with a fan. I know they're from something, but my exile (nasty situation with the furries, gave a whole new meaning to the expression "Let sleeping dogs lie") from the cosplay scene means I have no idea who they're supposed to be.

    Tell you what - first person to detail all four characters presented in the photo above and the one past the jump, will win themselves a copy of Mario Party DS (thanks Nintendo!), just because it's a nice thing to do. Just post your answer as a comment, and we'll be in touch.

    Specifically, we want to know the name of the character, and any one game/anime they've appeared in.

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