LA Game Space
 | |
| Abbreviation | LA/GS |
|---|---|
| Formation | 2012[1] |
| Dissolved | 2018[1] |
| Purpose | To explore and expand the potential of videogames as a creative medium[1] |
| Location | |
| Website | lagamespace.org |
LA Game Space was a nonprofit organization focused on experimental game design, research and education. The crowdfunded project planned to open an exhibition space in Los Angeles, along with a research wing, a space for workshops and support for artists in residence.[2][3] The organization exceeded its crowdfunding target in 2012, but closed down in 2018 having failed to open a physical venue.[4]
History
Founding
The project originated in November 2009, with the founders spending three years planning and organizing collaborators and events.[1]
Kickstarter & experimental games
The venture was funded via a Kickstarter that asked for $250,000 and ultimately received $335,657 of funding. Adventure Time creator Pendleton Ward released a short animation to spread awareness of the project.[5][6] Backers received access to 23 experimental games published by the organization, including works by Canabalt creator Adam Saltsman, Katamari creator Keita Takahashi and Kentucky Route Zero developer Tamas Kemenczy. Most of these were designed for the purpose of promoting the project, a notable exception being To My Favourite Sinner (2009) from Molleindustria.[7] The pack was released on September 7, 2013, with several games being added shortly after the main launch.[8] The collection was the only pack of games ever released by the organization.[9][10]
Activities
LA Game Space obtained 501(c)(3) status after the conclusion of the Kickstarter campaign. A warehouse was leased and renovated[1] but never opened for the intended purpose, with LA Game Space organizing events at external venues during this time, such as the Ace Hotel Los Angeles.[11][4] The organization ceased operation in 2018, with a former board member blaming financial mismanagement.[12]
Games published
All of these were published as part of Experimental Game Pack 01. The pack was originally released on September 7, 2013, though some games were added to the set shortly after that date.[13] While the pack was advertised as containing 30 games, 23 were ultimately released, 21 of which were available for Windows, 19 for Mac and 14 for Linux. Since 2018 the Windows versions[14] have been freely available via the Internet Archive, with the Mac versions joining in 2019.[15] Some of the titles have since seen re-releases.[16]
| Name | Developer(s) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| A͈L͈P͈H͈A͈B͈E͈T͈ | Keita Takahashi & Adam Saltsman | re-released in 2016[17] |
| CONTROL | Kieran Nolan | |
| Coureur des bois | Tamas Kemenczy; soundtrack by Ben Babbitt | |
| Depth | Vince Mckelvie | |
| Electronic Fortune Teller | Party Time! Hexcellent! | |
| gamespaceSpacegame | Noah Sasso | |
| Golden Age: Moths | Resn | |
| Guilded Youth | Jim Munroe & Matt Hammill | |
| Inputting | Steve Swink | |
| Irrational Exuberance | Ben Vance | |
| IZL△GS | I♡PRESETS | |
| LA Death Disk | Beau Blyth, Roger ‘Reckahdam’ Hicks & Robin Arnott | |
| micomonocon | Raquel Meyers, Jens Nirme & Goto80 | |
| a (MOTH) in RELAY | jonCates & Jake Elliott | |
| Pachalafaka | David Calvo | |
| Perfect Stride (alpha) | Arcane Kids | |
| Piano Basketball | Jeremy Bailey | |
| Poocuzzi | Plateau of the Galaxy | |
| spiralsky | Brenna Murphy | |
| Sunshine | Ian Gouldstone, David Surman & Paul Callaghan | |
| To My Favourite Sinner | Molleindustria | re-release; original launch in 2009[18] |
| uu | TR-404 | |
| VideoHeroeS (alpha) | Santa Ragione | |
| The Wanderer | Nicholas O’Brien |
A further 9 games were in development and earmarked for the game pack but not released.[19]
| Name | Developer(s) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Cheque Please | Pendleton Ward & Bennett Foddy | |
| A Dive | Bryan Ma | |
| I Hate Flying | Andrew Lovett-Barron | |
| Tongue Strike II | Chris Collins & Mike Lopez | |
| Wake Up | Angie Wang & Adam Robezzoli | |
| Untitled | Cactus | |
| Untitled | Theodore Darst | |
| Untitled | Jeremy Douglass | |
| Untitled | Ruth Gibson & Bruno Martelli |
References
- ^ a b c d e "LA Game Space". September 13, 2018. Archived from the original on 2018-09-13.
- ^ Matulef, Jeffrey (November 27, 2012). "Katamari and Canabalt creators collaborate on new game over Kickstarter". Eurogamer.
- ^ Lien, Tracey (November 19, 2012). "L.A. Game Space: a place for growth and discovery". Polygon.
- ^ a b "12 Successful Kickstarters That Never Delivered". Kotaku.
- ^ "Support LA Game Space — Pendleton Ward, creator of Adventure Time" – via vimeo.com.
- ^ ""Adventure Time" Creator Needs Your Help With Games". Complex.
- ^ "To my favorite sinner".
- ^ Tach, Dave (September 7, 2013). "LA Game Space's Experimental Game Pack available next week". Polygon.
- ^ "LA Game Space: Experimental Game Pack 01 - Windows" – via Internet Archive.
- ^ Chaplin, Heather (21 October 2013). "Space Invaders".
- ^ "LA Game Space". www.facebook.com.
- ^ "LA Game Space Board Member Speaks". GiantRobotStore.
- ^ "LA Game Space Kickstarter games now available for non-backers". Polygon. 18 September 2013.
- ^ "Experimental Game Pack 01 Windows".
- ^ "Experimental Game Pack 01 Mac".
- ^ Muncy, Julie. "Katamari Damacy Creator's New Game Is Overwhelming Insanity". Wired – via www.wired.com.
- ^ Muncy, Julie. "Katamari Damacy Creator's New Game Is Overwhelming Insanity". Wired – via www.wired.com.
- ^ "To my favorite sinner".
- ^ "Experimental Game Pack 01". Archived from the original on 2018-07-21.