We all love games, right? We all love Free and Open Source software, right? So why don't we love them together? Games are now a very big part of the software and entertainment industry but we don't often talk about how well they play with FOSS. Despite there being an overlap amongst users and developers, for the most part the game developers and players hide in their silo and FOSS hide in theirs, it is time to start getting the two together.

This miniconf will be a single day exploring the interaction of games, free and open source software, and their communities and developers. If you've got a passion in game development, FOSS, community, or playing games then this miniconf will be of interest to you.

We are inviting talks on anything that looks into the interaction between games and game development and free and open source software. Potential talk topics include (but are not limited to):

• Fully Open Source or Free games
• Free and Open Source game engines and tools
• Pros and cons of using the above
• Legal or business implications of game development using Free and Open Source Software
• The history of Open Source in games and game development
• Open sourcing your game
• Diversity in open source and game development, what we can learn from each other
• What the FOSS and LCA community can learn from the game developers
• What game developers can learn from the LCA and FOSS community
• Open game hardware and peripherals
• Playing games on open hardware and platforms
• Community management and interaction difference between the FOSS and games community
• Open source mobile development
• Open source art and music for games
• FOSS and board games.
• Anything else FOSS and Game related you can think of

Format

We are now open for talk submissions. We have openings for:

• 15-20 minute presentations
• 5-10 minute demos and micro-talks

Due to the single day, single track, nature of the miniconf we are expecting the majority of acceptances to be 15-20 minute presentations. If you have a compelling idea and do need more time, or have an idea beyond a presentation or a demonstration let us know and we will see what we can do.

The goals of this miniconf is to make LCA a conference of greater applicability to the wider game development community, to investigate more into what challenges FOSS faces if it wants a greater representation into game development, and to simply talk about games. Help us make these goals happen.

Talk submission

To submit your proposal you need to create an account on the linux.conf.au website, create a speaker profile, and then fill in our proposal form. If you are submitting a demo of a game, tool, or project make sure in your submission you send us a link where we will be able to preview it, otherwise we won't be able to approve it.

We strongly encourage first-time and seasoned speakers from all walks of life – all ages, genders, nationalities, ethnicities, backgrounds, religions, and, abilities. Like the main LCA conference iself, we respect and encourage diversity at our miniconf. If you would like any assistance with creating a proposal, don't hesitate to ask one of the organisers.

Please note, to present or attend the miniconf you will need to be a registered attendee of LCA. There are miniconf only tickets available, but we recommend you attend the entire conference as there are some amazing and passionate people in attendance, it would be a shame to miss them. Unfortunately we do not have sponsorship to fund attendance, but if you cannot attend and wish to, please get in contact and we will do our very best to make this a reality.

Dates and deadlines

19-11-2016 - Deadline for submissions

26-11-2016 - Confirmation of presentations

16-01-2017 - Miniconf

Contact

If you have any questions or need to get in contact with us, don't hestitate to mail Ducky (e.macdonaldmeyer@gmail.com) or Tim (tim+lca@lonely.coffee)