Here's a rough schedule (in chronological order) and some brief commentary about what to expect from each show. Hope to see you there:
New York University, IDM (Interactive Digital Media)
IDM is a program focused on the intersection between technology and performance -- so they see games primarily as part of a broader study of interaction design and art, rather than games for the sake of games. Accordingly, a lot of their student projects are often more about the types of magical thinking that a game-like frame enables, which I'd label as a conceptual lens toward games. For more info, see the IDM Show Spring 2017 website.
(Downtown Brooklyn)
one night only: May 5, 6-8pm at 2 Metrotech Center, 8th Floor
Parsons School of Design, MFA DT (Design and Technology)
MFADT is the graduate program where I studied, and where I've taught for a few years. Like IDM, the playable projects here are more interested in narrative or conceptual goals, and do not focus on hardcore gameplay or tactical depth. However, there's also a strong tradition of hardware hacking -- the 2017 IGF alt.ctrl award went to a Parsons team. For more info, see the full "SPECTRUM" website.
(Union Square)
BFA DT Sophomore show, May 6, 5-11 pm (music at 8pm) at Babycastles, 137 W 4th Street
AR / VR / games, interactive showcase: May 11, 4-8pm at 2 West 13th Street, 2nd Floor
main exhibition, opening night: May 16, 6:30-10pm at 6 East 16th Street, 12th Floor
New York University, ITP (Interactive Telecommunications Program)
As Parsons students we often considered ITP to be a friendly rival, but now I just see them as a slightly weirder and scrappier cousin. Like MFADT, the playable projects at ITP shows are usually more about a narrative or conceptual focus, but unlike MFADT, they often rely more on performance and installations. For more info, see the ITP 2017 Spring Show website.
(Washington Square)
opening night: May 16, 5-9pm at 721 Broadway, 4th Floor
New York University, Game Center
This is the main department where I currently teach now. Unlike MFADT or ITP, we don't really do much hardware or fabrication because there's no real technology mandate here, so we also show a lot of non-digital analog board games and card games too. That said, this year, I'm pushing to show a little bit more VR stuff. For more info, see the 2017 Student Show website.
(Downtown Brooklyn)
one night only: May 18, 6-11pm at 2 Metrotech Center, 8th Floor
... and that's all I've got. Again, see you there maybe!
