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Hey guys,


Due to other plans falling through, I'm left with a table at Exilicon and nothing to present on it. To that end, I'd like to do an exchange table/take what you like for donations table.


I'm going to bring books, mystery parcels, and a few other things.


If any of you guys have anything you'd like to bring for the table - books, CDs, games, hand-written poetry, whatever, then let me know! The only criteria is that it must be fairly small (so someone can carry it home), and you're happy to give it away and receive only something else from the table in exchange (you are, of course, welcome to donate!)


Any questions, let me know

Hi guys,


For those of you hoping I'm PITCHING an open-source strategy game, I'm sorry - that's not what I'm doing. I'm trying to build an AI that could effectively play strategy games, using various techniques I've picked up over my degree and more (can you tell I've been inspired by AlphaGo? Because I have).


If anyone knows of a simple, open-source strategy game, could they point me to it? It'd probably need to have...

   
• A (comparatively) small set of actions
• Be focused around interaction with other players
• Be open-source, with free access to the source code

I looked into 0AD, but for one that is a behemoth of a program with far too much going on for what I need to do (which is, essentially, a proof of concept at the moment) - and, for the start of the games at least, is focused on city-building and defensive, rather than player-interaction and offensive.


So I'm maybe looking for something like Starcraft/Command and Conquer? But, y'know, with source code I can legally access.

Hello,

I'm Liz(ard) and have been running my own games studio for a little while, mostly intervening in other projects when advice has been needed. I offer paid services, priced per project and with your budget in mind, on games design (game design documents, business analysis, marketing strategies, etc) and on software engineering for games (programming and program design, usually in Unity 3D or using web-based technologies).

I also offer free advice and programming services towards not-for-profit projects, with my specific interests lying towards education projects.

Look forwards to hearing from you!

So it's almost only a month to go until NaNoWriMo, and I was wondering if any Exilianites plan to partake? Because we should definitely hold writing challenges/virtual write-ins/all add each other as NaNo buddies.

Anyone already know what they're going to write? Anyone pantsing?

So I'm really getting into the idea of zines - small print-run, not-for-profit, self-published magazines, usually A5 size on a variety of topics.

I was wondering if anyone here writes them? Or would be interested in an exchange?

I'm hella pumped because I'm about to get a tattoo based around the JD Salinger quote "I've survived many things, and I'll probably survive this".

I have two others, pics of all three will follow.

Anyone fancy sharing tattoos they have/want?

There might have already been a thread like this, I vaguely remember it, but I couldn't find it...

""Moore's law" is the observation that, over the history of computing hardware, the number of transistors in a dense integrated circuit has doubled approximately every two years." Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moore's_law

So this is a thing that happened.

So far Moore's Law has proved to be right, or better than right, for every two years of computing. But with the advent of quantum computers, we may see a change in the way we interpret Moore's Law for computing power*.

Moore was (and maybe still is, I couldn't find a source) one of the founding members of Intel, the processor company. He is now a well-known philanthropist in the industry.

Many things are linked to Moore's Law, including the exponential increase in the speed of computers and the relation of relative price in comparison to computing power.

I learnt about Moore's Law properly at university, and I think it's anniversary is an important piece of technological history. Also it's cool when people predict stuff and it actually comes true.

*Quantum computers may also change the way we view Universal Turing Machines, but that's another topic!

Calling web devs, web designers, and those who love to read:

We need YOU to help on a new and exciting project!

The long story short is, I'm setting up a new Community Interest Company, aimed at improving adult literacy. I have the epic idea, but to help I need a dedicated team of volunteers with a passion for development and reading to help me kick-start things. Based in England is preferable, since we will hold meetings, but you can always Skype in. There are even fun bonuses available, such as free books and merch!

So, yeah. Rally the troops and all that!

Hi All,

You should have read the Start Here! post and got a website. Good for you! Post the URL here, so we can all see your lovely work when you upload something.

[Course Requirements]

Hello and welcome to Programming for the Web: Part I!

If you're looking here it's because you're already part of this course, or you're looking to become part of it. That's great! If you need more info, have a look further down and you'll find it.

Course Requirements
This course assumes no knowledge of programming for the web (hence it's part I). You do not need a server, but you will need your own website where you can upload files you create. More information on where you can get one for free is included here!
You need your own website, where you can upload web files for viewing and marking. I recommend signing up here http://www.000webhost.com/ and following all the steps for a free web-space. As soon as you've got a website that you can FTP into (or use the file uploader on the site), post it in the appropriate forum!
You will also need a program called Brackets, available free from Adobe: http://brackets.io/ This is basically a fancy text editor, with syntax highlighting, auto-completion, and a live-preview feature for web programming. I use it, and I recommend you do, too. (If you already have your own favourite web programming program, you don't need Brackets).
Finally, you'll need enthusiasm and a love of programming. But I assume you already have those.

What will this course cover?
This course covers three essential languages for web development: HTML5, CSS3, and JavaScript. Roughly speaking, the course looks like this:
1. HTML5: compliance, tags, organisation of a page
2. CSS3: colour, font, scope of application
3. JavaScript: making things move, making things interact
The course is six weeks long, with more time being spent on JavaScript and CSS3 than HTML5.

Great! How do I sign up?
Head on over to the course sign-up thread, in the main Academy forum, and put your name down! Great to have you on board!

But I still have questions...
That's great too; post them here and I'll answer them as soon as I can!

Not so much 'games' as 'gamification', but still in conjunction with my studio so here goes...

Remember those summer reading challenges the library used to run/runs for kids? Remember thinking you were never as productive with your reading now as you were when people where giving you shiny stickers for progress?

Interested in gamification and the reading process, including improving adult literacy and finishing books faster?

Then you should DEFINITELY comment on this thread and PM your email address to me, so I can keep you updated on this project as it progresses! Tentatively titled "Six Weeks In Summer", this challenge could see you reading books faster than ever before, within a community of like-minded readers!

Anyone interested in helping with the project, such as discussing the gamification aspects, moderating forums, or other help I haven't thought of, should definitely get in contact too.

Wasn't really sure where to put this, but figured reading was a hobby...

If you liked reading challenges as a kid, take part in Six Weeks of Summer! It's a reading challenge but for adults, with achievements, reviews, and hopefully much more! It's a personal project I've been meaning to set up, and I'm finally doing it. Yay me.

Sign up to receive update emails at http://www.mylanderpages.com/sixweeksinsummer/Six-Weeks-in-Summer

Please feel free to move if this is in the wrong place! D:

Dial 0800-CHARTOPHYLAX.

Actually don't do that, you'll bother some poor old lady.

But seriously, how am I doing? Leave any staff feedback here!

[Programming for the Web: Part I]

Want to join a course?

Reply to this thread with the title of the course you'd like to take! (more courses to follow!)

Programming for the Web: Part I
Jubal

Do YOU have experience you want to share? Do YOU have a passion for online teaching? Do YOU want to do something worthwhile?!

Then run a course with the Academy!

You need to send a message to the Chartophylax, currently Lizard, in order to do this. You MUST include the following three things:
1. A course title (be creative and make it snappy!)
2. A brief description to show prospective students
3. A non-detailed curriculum (a breakdown of what you're going to cover)

Alternatively, reply to this thread if you're thinking of running a course but have questions!

[Programming for the Web: Part I]

This is a list of all courses offered at the academy, as well as a list of course groupings one can work for a certificate in. This is NOT an enrolment thread and you cannot enrol for courses here.

COURSE GROUPINGS
NB: This is a preliminary list and is incomplete and unfinished: as new courses are added, new groupings will be created to accomodate them.

Polymathematics
A polymathematics course is the reverse of a subject specific one. Instead of being required to demonstrate expertise in a specific area, candidates will have to use course modules from a broad range of subject areas. At least 25% of credits in polymathematics must come from either History or Literature & Writing, and at least 25% must come from Programming & Computing or Game Design.

Game Design
Game design courses are based around the artistic, creative, and design aspects of game creation. This can include tabletop RPGs or wargames, boardgames, and the creation of game settings as well as computer games. There are large overlaps with programming & computing, and most game-related programming modules can be used towards game design as well.

Programming & Computing
Programming and computing courses will deal with the use and application of programming languages. This can include theoretical programming concepts, the basics of specific languages, or courses dealing with specific applications of programming or modification of specific programs.

Literature & Writing
Literature and writing courses deal with both analytical and practical uses of the English language, in areas from poetry to novel writing. Setting design, use of words, and other themes in writing may be among the areas explored.

History
History courses can deal with approaches and factual information on any area of human history, from the stone age to recent politics. A holistic approach to the subject is encouraged.

LIST OF COURSES
Programming for the Web: Part I
NB: This is a preliminary list and is incomplete and unfinished

Welcome!

This is the Exilian Academy. Here, people with personal and professional experience share that expertise in subjects from handicrafts to philosophy, programming to writing! People can work towards Exilian certificates and specialisations, or for their own enjoyment and professional enrichment.
If you are interested in taking a course, please visit the course sign-up thread.
If you are interested in running a course, you should message Lizard (Chartophylax) as soon as possible!

The FAQs have been taken from previous iterations of the Academy, as they're still relevant. Please ask any more questions in this thread!

Frequently Asked Questions

So what's so special about this?
The key thing the Academy offers is that it isn't just a bunch of things to read; the course creators will actively tutor their students to produce a final piece of work or be assessed over a few days or weeks. All the courses will be structured differently, so feel free to look around and dip in! The courses are grouped by subject, so if you want to work for one of the larger achievement awards (see below) you'll need to go for courses in a particular group.

How are the courses delivered?
There will be plenty of discussion areas in this part of the forum; these will be used for tutors to post articles which their students can then comment on & discuss. Tutors will also be accessible by personal messaging on the forum, and may also give out instant messaging details for Skype or MSN if they want students to be able to contact them that way. There will also be a shared Academy YouTube channel for the tutors to deliver lectures.

What course groupings are offered?
The current list of groupings, with codes, is found in the "Course List and Certification Categories" thread.

What do I get for doing these courses?
Courses will be worth Academy Credits; one credit approximates to a short day's work (though not usually done all at once), so most individual courses will be in the 1-5 region. For each course you do, we'll register you've completed it, and how well you did - the course tutor decides how many of the course's possible credits you get, so a 5 credit course gives a maximum of 5 credits. Credits may be given to the nearest decimal place; the expectation is that a good mark would be around 80%, an exceptional one 90%, with most people averaging around 70%. We can then email out certificates of achievement to you in PDF format.

Additionally, it's possible to work up to something bigger; those who do a lot of courses in a particular subject group can work for the following:
25 credits (Exilian Foundation Certificate)
50 credits (Exilian Academic Certificate)
150 (Exilian Advanced Academic Certificate)
350 (Exilian Degree)
450 (Exilian Honours Degree)
Certificates are available in specialisations, including Polymathematics for the varied course palette.

These accolades are designed to be difficult to achieve, but are a big possible target for particularly dedicated academy students to work for. There will be certificates available for them, as well as them showing up on the forum award system beneath your profile picture.

Can I create a course?
Yes! Information is available in the 'Running a Course' thread, or message Lizard.

What do I get for running a course?
There are no physical rewards or payments available to lecturers, but we of course do our best to show our appreciation. For any course lecturer who is also a site citizen, running courses will lead to rewards via our "triumph points" system, which is Exilian's system of showing the work of active and useful members. Lecturers who are not site citizens will find it easier to become citizens (a rank which gives full rights to vote on many vital site issues as well as other perks) as a result of the important work they are putting into the academy.

So...

HyperNormal is on hold. If you've been following us you'll know the reasons why this is, but the short version is we do not have the time, manpower, or artistry needed to complete the project to the required standard.

Are we bummed out? Yes we are. Are we slowing down? No we're not!

Ludum Dare 31 was a huge success for all who attended, including Lizard - who got a prototype for a point-and-click murder mystery out of it (people interested in testing it should definitely send her a message, hint hint).

We're also heading up an exciting new project in conjunction with someone Lizard worked with at university! We have to keep it fairly hush hush, but again those who like life sims should definitely hit her up for how to become involved in testing.

Global Game Jam is in January, and hopefully that will provide another opportunity for a fun prototype of some description!

So, yeah, whilst we're bummed our big title won't be hitting shelves, we're keeping the fires burning by fuelling them with less ambitious indie projects. Watch this space!

No matter who gets elected as the next Academy Thing (whatever the official title is...!) - we want YOUR opinions on how to improve the Academy!

So we need to know a few things...

1. What course(s) would you ideally like to take?
2. How would you like to be assessed (if at all?)
3. What would you like Academy points/certificates to count towards?

Hope I'm not stepping on other candidates' toes by posting this, but I think whoever gets the position needs to know these things.

Hi there!

My company is spearheading Ludum Dare 31 - London: an event where game devs can get together and jam to the Ludum Dare tune.

Check out our Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/ludum-dare-31-london-tickets-13154865557

Check out our Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/283212145217907

And finally, check out the Ludum Dare website for more info: http://www.ludumdare.com/compo