The first session I chose to head to suggested the concept of free range video games. This focused on the fact that a lot of mainstream AAA games are essentially being created in "sweatshops" where developers are compelled to work unnatural hours. The discussion explored the possibility of games being labeled as "free range" and whether this would make a difference to the public's purchasing habits.  I do think this is a bit of a tenuous name for this type of working but it did highlight the high pressure nature of producing some games and the lengths (as ever) big companies will go to to get the most work out of their employees.

The next session I hit was "Nerds: does it matter if we're all the same?" This was a very interesting discussion on how everyone in the gaming industry is essentially becoming clones - predominantly geeky white men in their twenties and thirties. This raised the question of if when an industry becomes homogenized is creative output stifled? This is a very relevant question for most industries but perhaps the creative ones have more to lose by being so lacking in diversity. Whilst the creators are becoming all the same, the audience for games is very diverse and therefore unlikely to have all their desires met by the current industry. I personally think that an industry being "all the same" is probably a good thing, as without an "institution" so to speak there is nothing to rebel against and it's in rebellion you get the most inspired creations.

Another interesting board game on offer - by RachelC on Flickr

Another interesting talk for me discussed the subject of how user centred design can be used in game production. Traditionally user centred design is used to identify problems that people have and how a product or service can help with overcoming them. However, developing games is building in the void, there are no particular problems that need solving and games exist purely to entertain. Games in fact are improved by problems and obstacles, they do not need to offer zero resistance to a user. There was a very spirited discussion in this talk and it seemed a highly debated issue in game development. Some people have been doing some really great things in this space though and one example that stood out for me was the use of personas by the creators of Magic the Gathering which helped them discover a new type of user.

Along with the talks, there were a variety of other things going on - a very well stocked board game library (including Pac Man the board game which was excellent!) and a lively Lego minfig swapping game. However, the highlight of the day for me was (probably quite sadly) Zombie LARPing. I thoroughly enjoyed running around the 3rd floor of an empty university shooting at zombies with a Nerf gun. That kind of joy from games in all their forms pretty much summed up why we were all there in the first place. If you get  the opportunity I'd highly recommend you head along to the next Game Camp in October even if all you want to do is spend a day playing board games with like minded folk.

- Excellent list of all the talks/discussions/etc that took place throughout the day on Lanyrd here.