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Good Game

Stephanie ‘Hex’ Bendixsen Visits Melbourne

August 29, 2018 By ausretrogamer

While in Melbourne-town for the Melbourne eSports Open, author, presenter and broadcaster extraordinaire, Stephanie ‘Hex’ Benidxsen had a bit of down time to check out the many awesome pop culture sites, gaming establishments and other extremely rad geeky stuff that our great city has to offer!

As Hex says, “Luckily Melbourne is a hub of gaming and pop-culture-related activity” – it sure is! if you haven’t checked out all of these places, then you are missing out!


source: Visit Melbourne via Facebook

 

Filed Under: Modern Gaming, Retro Exploring, Retro Gaming Culture Tagged With: Bartronica, comics, Game Of Thrones, Good Game, Hex, Melbourne eSports Open, Minotaur, pinball, Pinball Paradise, Pinball Press, Pop culture, screenPLAY, Stephanie Bendixsen, Visit Melbourne

Good Game Spawn Point Returns For 2018

March 1, 2018 By ausretrogamer

You youngsters (and us old timers) have been patiently waiting for this news! What news you ask? Good Game Spawn Point series 9 returns on ABC ME on March 10 at 9:00am!

Here is the official ABC TV press release for those of you that may have missed it:

GOOD GAME: SPAWN POINT (GGSP) is the show for younger gamers, by gamers – and it’s back for another huge year of gaming in 2018 with an exciting new look, brand new presenter, Gem, and online-first focus!

Hosted by Rad, Goose, and Gem, with assistance from D.A.R.R.E.N. (the Digital Assistant for the Research and Regulation of Endless Noobery), GGSP will be younger gamers’ number one daily destination for the latest video game reviews and news, let’s plays, live stream playthroughs, and stories on gaming culture, coding, and the hottest tech. Plus, the hosts will continue to attempt to solve any-and-all videogame dilemmas the audience throws at them in the regular e-mailbag segment, Ask SP!

With its new online first focus, GGSP will deliver fun gaming content for Australian families first on the ABC ME app and on YouTube each weekday, Monday through to Friday. Full episodes will continue to screen on ABC ME each Saturday at 9:00am.

With 97% of Australian homes with children having video games, and 60% of Parents actively playing games with their children, GGSP is proud to offer something for everyone in the ever-growing landscape of Australian gamer families. (*igea Digital Australia 2018 report)

Video games are changing the world, so let us be your guide!

Cast Biographies:

Gemma ‘Gem’ Driscoll

A new face will be joining the presenting line-up, with 20-year-old Gemma ‘Gem’ Driscoll jumping into the GGSP team alongside show regulars Angus ‘Goose’ Ronald and Angharad ‘Rad’ Yeo.

“It’s a dream come true to have the chance to share my passion for gaming with Australian families everywhere each-and-every week,” says Gem.

“When I was younger, I wasn’t really into gaming – not the way I am now anyway! But I’ve always been obsessed with fantasy and sci-fi. When I was in high school I started experimenting with games that let me create my own characters in these incredible worlds – and needless-to-say, I fell in love! These days, not a day goes by when I’m not thinking about games. I’m not the best at fighting games, but I adore big open worlds where I can explore at my own pace. That’s what I love most about gaming, there’s something for everyone!”

Obsessed with Doctor Who, Harry Potter and Star Wars from a very young age, 20-year-old Gemma ‘Gem’ Driscoll has always been a natural storyteller. A discovery of video games in her teens came via the realisation that she didn’t have to only write and

dream about fantastical worlds, but that she could actually ‘be’ in them – exploring epic, open worlds full of colourful characters, and setting forth on imaginative adventures.

Since then, video games have changed her life, inspiring her to create a YouTube channel to explore her thoughts on the medium; getting involved with the cosplay community and immersing herself in the culture that surrounds games; and now, joining ABC ME’s Good Game: Spawn Point, where she can share her passion for games daily, and inform kids of all ages on the wonderful experiences that are held within.

Angharad ‘Rad’ Yeo

“Hi! I’m Rad. I started playing games with my family when I was a kid, and ever since then games have been one of my favourite social activities! I love having puzzles to solve and goals to achieve, and I enjoy how games let you experience a whole different world. Some of my favourites include Portal 2, RollerCoaster Tycoon, Sim City, Just Dance, Monument Valley, and Tricky Towers. I’m also lucky enough to have the world’s most wonderful, perfect, special, beautiful dog – Boatmeal!”

Gus ‘Goose’ Ronald

“Because I was born in the very same year that Mario got his own game on the NES, there’s never really been a time in my life without videogames! If I wasn’t renting, borrowing, or saving up for the latest releases I’d be over at my mate’s house sharing the couch in furious bouts of multiplayer madness! These days I enjoy mixing up my interests in new and advancing tech with my nostalgic love for all things old school & retro! In between gaming sessions I’m usually at the beach hunting the perfect wave, or curled up on the couch with a good book and my beloved cat overlord, Lando!”

image source: ABC Australia

 

Filed Under: Announcements, Modern Gaming Tagged With: ABC, ABC Children’s Television Production, ABC Good Game, ABC ME, ABC TV, DARREN, Gem, GGSP, Good Game, Good Game Spawn Point, Good Game Spawn Point Series 9, Goose, iView, Rad

Happy 25th Anniversary Blizzard Entertainment!

December 1, 2016 By Ms. ausretrogamer

blizzardGood Game’s Goose Mangus did an awesome story on the history of Blizzard Entertainment on this week’s show to celebrate the company’s 25th anniversary (25 years – can you believe it?!). Check it out below:

gameplay-first

The games
rpm-racing-1991

rock-n-roll-racing-1993

the-lost-vikings-1993

warcraft-1994

blackthorne-1994

the-death-and-return-of-superman-1994

warcraft-ii-1995

diablo-1996

starcraft-1998

diablo-ii-2000

warcraft-iii-2002

wow-2004

starcraft-ii-2010

diablo-iii-2012

hearthstone-2014

heroes-of-the-storm-2015

overwatch-2016

Source: Good Game on YouTube

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

msausretrogamerMs. ausretrogamer
Co-founder, editor and writer at ausretrogamer – The Australian Retro Gamer E-Zine. Lover of science fiction, fashion, books, movies and TV. Player of games, old and new.

Follow Ms. ausretrogamer on Twitter

 

 

Filed Under: History Tagged With: Blizzard, Blizzard 25th anniversary, Blizzard Entertainment, Blizzard Entertainment 25th anniversary, Diablo, Good Game, Good Game TV, Goose Mangus, History, History of Blizzard, Overwatch, Starcraft, video, Warcraft, World of Warcraft, youtube

ACMI’s ‘Screen It’ Awards 2016

November 22, 2016 By Ms. ausretrogamer

poster

We were thrilled to attend this year’s ‘Screen It‘ Awards at the Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI) last week. Screen It is a fantastic moving image competition that encourages primary and secondary school kids to create animated films, live action films and videogames. This year’s theme was ‘mystery’.

Age groups: Foundation to Year 4 (Junior), Year 5 to Year 8 (Middle), and Year 9 to Year 12 (Senior).

As ACMI puts it: ‘Screen It is designed to educate, encourage and foster the next generation of young moving image makers. It’s fun and, best of all, it’s free!’

We always love a visit to ACMI at Melbourne’s Fed Square
acmi-sign-570

fed-square-3

A red carpet for the finalists was a nice touch
red-carpet-3

Red carpet student stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️ #ScreenIt2016 pic.twitter.com/IMNIR26Nth

— ACMI Education (@ACMI_Education) November 17, 2016

There was an excellent turnout and the room was buzzing with excitement!
crowd

The awards were hosted by Good Game‘s Bajo and Hex, who were joined by Academy Award winner Adam Elliot and actress Bethany Whitmore.

Bajo and Hex
hex-and-bajo

With Adam Elliot…
adam-elliot

… and Bethany Whitmore
bethany-whitmore

Can you tell which Pokemon is Hex’s favourite? (Answer: Jigglypuff!)
hex-and-bajo-3

We were incredibly impressed by all the finalists’ work – but we were, of course, most interested in the videogame category:

Junior (Foundation – Year 4)  Videogame

Encouragement Awards:

  • The Mysterious Cannonball; Essex Heights Primary School; Mount Waverley, VIC
  • Basketball; Hallett Cove South Primary School; Hallett Cove, SA
  • The Mystery of Harold Holt; Mentone Grammar; Mentone, VIC

encouragement

Middle (Year 5-8) Videogame

Winner: Day One; Kingswood Primary School; Dingley Village, VIC

Special Mention: Mots’ Mansion; Doreen Primary School; Doreen, VIC

Finalists:

  • End of the Line; Stuart C; Aldgate, SA
  • Down to Earth; Mosman High School; Mosman, NSW
  • Day One; Kingswood Primary School; Dingley Village, VIC
  • Mots’ Mansion; Doreen Primary School; Doreen, VIC

Middle (Year 5-8) winner ‘Day One’
day-one-2

day-one

Congratulations to ‘Day One’ creators from Kingswood Primary School
day-one-3

Special Mention: ‘Mots’ Mansion’ – Doreen Primary School
mots-mansion-2

mots-mansion-3

Finalist: ‘Down to Earth’ Mosman High School
down-to-earth

Finalist: ‘End of the Line’ Stuart C
end-of-the-line

Senior (Year 9-12) Videogame

Winner: The Adventures of the Lost Treasure; Bialik College; Hawthorn, VIC

Finalists:

  • Dark Hours Forgotten Paths; Mansfield State High School; Mansfield, QLD
  • The Adventures of the Lost Treasure; Bialik College; Hawthorn, VIC
  • The Chilling Chase; Ursula Frayne Catholic College; Victoria Park, WA
  • Out of the Darkness; Endeavour College; Mawson Lakes, SA

Senior (Year 9-12) winner ‘The Adventures of the Lost Treasure’
the-adventures-of-the-lost-treasure

the-adventures-of-the-lost-treasure-2

Congratulations to ‘The Adventures of the Lost Treasure’ creator from Bialik College
the-adventures-of-the-lost-treasure-3

Finalist: ‘Dark Hours Forgotten Paths’ Mansfield State High School
dark-hours-forgotten-path

Finalist: ‘The Chilling Chase’ Ursula Frayne Catholic College
the-chilling-chase

Finalist: ‘Out of the Darkness’ Endeavour Collegeout-of-the-darkness

The theme for the 2017 Screen It competition was announced too:

Aaaand the theme for 2017 is … Time!
time-2

time

After party snacks
snacks

A BIG thank you to our #ScreenIt2016 Ambassadors @Bessieboohoo, Adam Elliot, @bajopants & @hexsteph & of course the amazingly talented kids! pic.twitter.com/KNXDvrEbRs

— ACMI (@ACMI) November 18, 2016


____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

msausretrogamerMs. ausretrogamer
Co-founder, editor and writer at ausretrogamer – The Australian Retro Gamer E-Zine. Lover of science fiction, fashion, books, movies and TV. Player of games, old and new.

Follow Ms. ausretrogamer on Twitter

 

 

Filed Under: Retro Gaming Culture Tagged With: acmi, Australian Centre for the Moving Image, Bajo, Bajo and Hex, Good Game, Hex, Screen It, Screen It Competition, ScreenIt2016

A Decade Of Good Game

September 20, 2016 By ausretrogamer

Good GameOn this day in 2006, the ABC (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) unleashed Good Game, the Australian made television program dedicated to video gaming. Each week Good Game is chock-a-block with a mix of the latest gaming news and events, gaming tips, reviews and interviews with game developers and people behind the scenes of our fave video games.

With hosts Steven “Bajo” O’Donnell and Stephanie “Hex” Bendixsen, plus their robot co-host D.A.R.R.E.N (Data Analysing Robot for the Ruthless Extermination of Noobs), Good Game has become a staple on Tuesday evenings. It’s popularity has spawned (no pun intended) a number of related TV shows, including Good Game Spawn Point and Good Game Pocket.

So get your party hats ready folks, as tonight we celebrate Good Game’s 10th birthday special on ABC2 at 7.30pm (with a simultaneous live-stream on ABC iView).

good-game-bajo-and-hex-mainsource: ABC media room

 

Filed Under: Announcements Tagged With: ABC2, Bajo, GGTV, Good Game, Good Game 10th birthday, Good Game Pocket, Good Game TV, Hex, Spawn Point

Good Game Pocket Visits PAX Aus Classic Gaming Area

November 2, 2015 By Ms. ausretrogamer

So PAX Aus is over for another year, the event was a huge success and the Classic Gaming Area was more popular than ever!

We had a ball and were especially excited when the super-friendly guys from ABC TV’s ‘Good Game: Pocket Edition’ stopped by to enjoy the nostalgic vibes.

pax2Nich Richardson with Alex ‘ausretrogamer’ Boz, Retro Domination’s Daz Retro, Pinball Wizard Scott Kellett, and Kerith ‘ms ausretrogamer’

It’s great to see retrogaming getting some serious air time – now watch ‘Pocket Edition’ presenter Nich Richardson (@NichBoy) explore PAX Aus, and most of all – skip to 3:23 for an interview with our very own Mr Alex ‘austretrogamer’ Boz!


Video source: Good Game on YouTube

Behind the scenes:

IMG_1428Lights, camera, action ausretrogamer!

IMG_1426Interviewing Alex Kidd aficionado Braden

IMG_1444Interviewing pinball prodigy Jordan Tredaway

IMG_1425Interviewing Donkey Kong maestro Ryan

Stay tuned to ausretrogamer.com for more stories about our adventures at PAX Aus 2015 over the coming days.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

msausretrogamerMs. ausretrogamer
Co-founder, editor and writer at ausretrogamer – The Australian Retro Gamer E-Zine. Lover of science fiction, fashion, books, movies and TV. Player of games, old and new.

Follow Ms. ausretrogamer on Twitter

 

 

Filed Under: Retro Gaming Culture Tagged With: ABC TV, Classic Gaming Area, Daz Retro, GG Pocket, GGTV, Good Game, Good Game Pocket, Good Game TV, interview, Jordan Tredaway, Nich Richardson, NichBoy, PAX, PAX Aus, PAX Australia, PAXAus, pinball, Retro Domination, Scott Kellett, Skott Kellett

Anniversary of the Amiga: A Good Game TV Special

October 8, 2015 By ausretrogamer

Amiga_GGVT_Title2015 has been a year of major gaming and tech anniversaries, from Super Mario celebrating 30 years of busting bricks, to Sony’s PlayStation hitting the magical 20th anniversary since its release in the West. Rounding off the trifecta of major birthday celebrations is Commodore’s powerhouse computer, the mighty Amiga.

Since Mario and the PlayStation have enjoyed the spotlight throughout the year, it was great to see ABC TV’s Good Game turn their attention to celebrate the Amiga in a special feature during their regular TV show. Regardless if you are an Amiga fan or not, press play and take a trip down memory lane to the beginning of the multimedia computer.


source: Good Game – ABC TV

 

Filed Under: History Tagged With: Amiga, Bajo, GGTV, Good Game, Good Game Amiga, Good Game TV, Goose, Hex, video

Australia’s Top 100 Video Games

August 13, 2014 By ausretrogamer

GGTV_top100_HdrAustralia, you have spoken. More to the point, Australian gamers have voted for their top 100 video games of all time.

Presented on our favourite national video games based TV show, Good Game, Steven O’Donnell (aka: Bajo) and Stephanie Bendixsen (aka: Hex), together with Gus Ronald (aka: Goose) and a ragtag of industry luminaries counted down our favourites in an hour long special that aired on August 12.

So what was the game that beat them all?  If you missed the show, don’t stress, you can stream or download the episode (episode 28) from the Good Game TV website. 

Without spoiling it too much for you, here are the highlights:

  • there were a few retro games in the top 100, mainly from the Nintendo stable (ahem, N64 represent!)
  • my all time favourite game, Super Mario Bros. anchored the list at 100 (Ed: Boo!)
  • the Irrelevant Tosser’s pick, Clowns (Commodore 64) was a nostalgic trip. Too bad it didn’t make the top 100
  • Zelda games featured better than Mario (Ed: another boo!)
  • The mayhem of Goldeneye 007 for the N64 made it into the top 20
  • There was no love for Sonic nor Shenmue (Ed: sorry for spoiling that for you!)
  • The show’s Rubber Chicken award provided some light relief from the seriousness of counting down Australia’s top 100 games of all time

RubberChicken

One thing was for certain, this list did spark some frantic discussion on social media (#GGTop100), but hey, that’s exactly what lists do – they create engagement, good and bad.

It seems that my votes counted for two out of my three games, but I must admit I was shocked not to see Super Mario World anywhere on the list. Ah well, I guess the voting demographic may have been in nappies when that game was rocking our socks. Did your favourite games make the top 100?

image source: Good Game

 

Filed Under: Retro Gaming Culture Tagged With: GG, GGTop100, GGTV, Good Game, top 100 games, Video Games

Good Game Top 100: Australia’s Favourite Games

July 23, 2014 By ausretrogamer

GoodGameTop100_hdrFor Australian viewers, I am sure I don’t have to introduce Good Game to you. For everyone else, Good Game is a popular Australian weekly program dedicated to video gaming. The show is broadcast nationally and is packed with the latest gaming news and events, gaming tips, reviews and interviews with game developers. The hosts, Bajo (aka: Steven O’Donnell) and Hex (aka: Stephanie Bendixsen) are the dynamic duo that bring you the latest in video gaming!

Anyway, Good Game is currently seeking your vote for their upcoming ‘Good Game top 100 games of all time’ program. You can cast your vote now, but you better hurry, as voting closes at midnight this coming Sunday, 27 July 2014.

The results will be announced in their show on Tuesday 12 August 2014 at 8:30pm on ABC2 (and also on their website). So what are you waiting for, go and cast your vote now! It counts!

Here is the Good Game How To Vote video (tongue firmly in cheek!)

source: Good Game

Filed Under: Announcements Tagged With: ABC2, Good Game, top 100 games, Video Games TV Show

Screen It 2013: Competition

August 22, 2013 By ausretrogamer

ACMI Screen It 2013

The Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI) today announced that hosts of ABC TV’s popular Good Game program, Bajo and Hex, will come on board as Ambassadors of Screen It, Australia’s largest competition for school-aged filmmakers, animators and game makers.

Since Good Game’s first episode in 2006, Bajo (aka Steven O’Donnell) and Hex (Stephanie Bendixsen) have been championing what is now one of the most popular expressions of the moving image – video game development – to young people all over the country.

Speaking on behalf of the hosting duo, Hex said Screen It was an excellent opportunity to be creative and learn technical skills along the way.

“We’re stoked to be a part of Screen It, Australia’s largest competition for the next generation of filmmakers, animators and game developers,” she said. “Like Screen It we’re always hoping to discover the next big thing. We often hear from young people aspiring to careers in game development, television, and other forms of the moving image, and we know just how passionate and eager they are. We can’t wait to see what Screen It uncovers in 2013.”

In a special video message to coincide with the announcement, Bajo encouraged students across Australia to enter the competition.

“If you are a school student and you have the creative itch, it’s time to make your mark on the Australian media by making a short film, animation, or video game,” he said.

“You can work solo or combine your creative power with friends to win prizes for you and your school”, added Hex.

ABC2 Good Game's Bajo and Hex 2013
ABC TV’s Good Game hosts: Bajo and Hex
source: ACMI

Run annually by ACMI, the competition is free to enter and open to all primary or secondary aged students. Students can enter through their school or independently. Entries can be live-action films, computer games or animations, based on the set theme. This year’s theme, Connect, provides a starting point for students and teachers to investigate topical issues while learning game, animation and film-making techniques along the way. Students may chose to engage with the theme of Connect in response to global, local, personal, cultural, symbolic or online connection.

ACMI’s Screen Education Manager Christine Evely hopes that Bajo and Hex’s involvement spurs a new generation of moving image makers to enter the national competition.

“Screen It is all about getting young people excited about the possibilities of the moving image, much like the way Bajo and Hex excite viewers via television and video game appreciation”, said Christine. “We strive to support students with creative and technical skill development, and foster generation of young people well able to critically reflect upon important issues such as the interconnected nature of our world.”

“With the support of Bajo and Hex, who both connect with and inspire young people interested in the moving image, ACMI hopes that students and teachers will take part in Screen It.”

“We hope that Bajo and Hex are the first in a long line of Screen It Ambassadors that one day might include the competition’s  alumni returning to support and inspire the next generation of creative talents of Australia”, said Christine.

Unlike other student film competitions, Screen It is designed to provide rich cross-disciplinary educational outcomes for participants. Teachers registering their students are encouraged to download the Education Resources devised by ACMI’s team of experienced educators to assist with developing the theme. ACMI’s online education tool, Generator , can guide teachers through the production process.

Screen It is judged by a panel of industry professionals including Tropfest finalist writer-director Nicholas Verso, artist Ghostpatrol, film festival directors Ben Laden (Little Big Shots) and Malcolm Turner (Melbourne International Animation Festival), as well as Phil Larsen of Halfbrick, the Queensland-based team behind the worldwide video game phenomenon Fruit Ninja. Industry representatives from the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development, the Australian Children’s Television Foundation and the Victorian College of the Arts, also judge the entries.

source: ACMI

Winners will be presented at a red carpet awards ceremony in December, each receiving a certificate, a trophy and a DVD prize pack courtesy of Madman Entertainment. The primary and secondary school with the Best Overall Entries will each be awarded a state-of-the-art Mitsubishi projector for their school. ACMI will also recognise special achievements by awarding a Sony PlayStation 3 and a Sony PlayStation Vita. In addition, the winning entries will be added to the library of the Australian Mediatheque where visitors to ACMI can view moving image works on demand, as well as being exhibited on the ACMI website.

Since 2011, ACMI has partnered with Bullying. No Way!, an initiative of all Australian education authorities, to present special Screen It awards. This year, Bullying. No Way! will present awards for the best primary and best secondary entries that address the issue of bullying and how it relates to connectedness. Winners of these categories will receive a $1000 bursary for their school.

The 2012 Screen It competition attracted 398 entries submitted by over 1281 students nationwide, making it Australia’s biggest moving image competition for young people.

Entries for the 2013 competition close on Friday 13 September.

“Get coding, animating and filming and good luck!”, said Screen It Ambassadors, Bajo and Hex.

For more information, please visit the Screen It page on the ACMI website.

 

Screen It media source supplied by: ACMI

 

 

Filed Under: Announcements Tagged With: acmi, Good Game, Screen It

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