EXPOsed!

The course ended.

We did not.

The summer course's last sprint review was quite not a typical one - it was a pitching event. Or then again, we surely were there, so it was even madly typical. Ha ha... ha... However, what especially separated it from earlier reviews was that we had prestigious judges watching our presentations, sharing their standpoints and giving some constructive feedback - which, to be mentioned, gave a lot of new ideas while supporting many existing ones.

Besides a short review/pitch, our team presented a combination of Powerpoint slides, trailer video and gameplay. There was a strict maximum of ten minutes for presentation (minimum being six minutes), so many things were left unsaid and many things would maybe be done and said differently now. Still, we got a lot of valuable feedback. It's interesting how one can have a brainstorm/think tank by self even during a presentation and while listening judges' comments. Good talks!

The course being sponsored by OnePlus, their representative was naturally part of the honorable jury. The other ones were representatives from EA and Snowfall (they make Moomin games!). So yeah, we had some pressures... or at least I did: I spend the night before editing our presentation video/game trailer at the university, so I was standing there pitching basically with the power of coffee.

(

Really, that liquid (which I btw just googled to be a "psychoactive drug" - rather interesting since I've never thought it as such, thanks Wikipedia!) has made possible for me to stay awake so many nights (and/or the day after staying awake all night) that I need this mug.

)

But, to cut back to the chase, also our game has now a logo! And a new name, since after long pondering we made a poll among our fellow students. From several suggestions the winning name was chosen and you can see it here:

Scarecrow Awakened! On the game's main menu you'll find this logo as a green version! We are now having a demo and you are welcome to ask it from us. Unfortunately, cause of several bugs we are not quite yet adding it to Google Play, but there're still several opportunities for you to come and play it - also with us!

One of those opportunities was right after the pitch: we had an EXPO at the main lobby of the Lapland University of Applied Sciences (the same very building we had our course during the summer). Also here we got some great feedback, as any time someone has tested our game. Big thanks for each of you!

It's also a great feeling when somebody compliments your production. At this level of intensity as the course has been, there's naturally a great amount of feelings and personal value involved. Perhaps especially as a designer (even hardass? Haha)!

The course games were also available for playing during the IGDA event at the Bull Bar. There our team also heard something...

From amongst all 13 teams, we were chosen as one of teams to represent on GameXpo at Messukeskus, Helsinki 2.-4.11.2018! There are also 3-5 other teams. From what I've heard, these choices were based on the recommendations of the jury. So a huge thank you for them!

So as the development of this game could otherwise have stopped after the course (since we have a demo, which was the goal), there's now hope for continuation!

So check your schedules already to come and meet us during GameXpo and we'll inform you of our whereabouts!

- Mirko