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We are starting a local group for Unity users and developers to exchange ideas, share experiences and help each other create awesome games using Unity.

We are having our very first meet on Tuesday 2nd December at 6:30pm, and it is going to be a very special kick off event as we will be joined by Unity's own Andy Brammall, Alex McCredie and Andy Touch who will be telling us all about Unity 5!

We also have some great content lined up from local game studios Pixie Software, 5¼ Games and Codemasters for a jam packed evening of game development goodness!

We shall be meeting at the Microsoft Innovation Center Malta at SkyParks in Luqa. The fine folks over there are generously hosting us at their premises.

More details to come soon!

The group is open to everyone! You don't need to be a Unity expert to attend. Whether you are still a beginner or an experienced Unity user, come and join us.

The event is free, but please help us out and RSVP on Eventbrite or on the Facebook event page so we can get a better idea of numbers and prepare accordingly.

Schedule
18:30	Introduction Alex McCredie - Unity Technologies
18:40	Unity 5 Andy Touch - Unity Technologies
19:20	- Break -
19:35	Unity 5 Andy Touch - Unity Technologies
20:15	- Break -
20:30	Making life easy through precompiler directives Stephen Caruana - Pixie Software
20:45	Unity through a technical developer's lens Alan Duca - 5¼ Games
21:00	Codemasters
21:15	We'll head off for some drinks and a chat

Stephen

I've recently stumbled upon a blog post by Derek Yu* where they stress the importance of finishing games you start. They provide the below 15 (paraphrased) tips to help you do this, which are discussed in some detail:

Finishing a Game - Derek Yu

1. Choose an idea with potential
2. Start the game
3. Don't re-invent the wheel
4. Prototype
5. Design fun core mechanics
6. Work with like-minded people
7. Prepare for repetitive tasks
8. Use real events as hard deadlines
9. Don't get stuck on details: move on then circle back
10. Take care of your health
11. Don't start over
12. Stick to the plan
13. Do away with unnecessary fluff
14. If you fail, try with something smaller
15. Polishing takes time

All of these points have been brought up and discussed time and time again by many people, and I'm sure most of you have heard them in some form or another. Regardless, I still encourage you to read Derek's post. It's quite to the point and very well put. If anything it will serve as a refresher and strengthen your resolve to finish your games.


Finish him! (Derek Yu's sketch)

* If you don't know who Derek Yu is, they made Finishing a Game. If you don't know what Spelunky is, or haven't played it...I strongly recommend that you do.

Stephen