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4th
March 2005, West Hamstead, London
Introversion
Software organised a party to celebrate the launch
of Darwinia on this day, to be held in Marks/Toms/Johnnys
flat in West Hamstead, London. This was the first
party we've ever really run for the company, since
Uplink's launch was much less high profile, and the
USA launch of Uplink occurred in a different country
and always felt quite distant. This was the first
time we've felt we actually had something tangible
to celebrate.
On
the guest list were all of the people who worked on
the game, everyone from Introversion Software (all
4 of us hehe), a bunch of beta testers, all of our
friends from around the country, and quite a few more.
The flat was definately getting quite packed by late
evening...we actually invited far more than we knew
we could fit into the flat, based on the certain knowledge
that a lot of people wouldn't turn up even if they
said otherwise (it is a house party after all :)
Before
most of the guests arrived we had the less than fascinating
job of covering one entire wall in Darwinia post cards
in such a way as to create a massive shrine to our
latest game. It really did look quite spooky with
all the lights turned down low. Thankfully Rkiver
and NeoThermic arrived early and helped us setting
it up.
We
had a selection of fantastic DJs playing some great
tunes throughout the evening on a rented pair of
decks and amp/speaker combo clearly designed for
a considerably larger venue than our living room.
You've got to laugh really. We had no less than
four seperate DJs, all old friends of ours from
the University days, and we were also very happy
to discover that our Ads
guy James Ashwood was himself accomplished on the
decks and managed to turn the previously static
living room into our very own nightclub for a while.
Yes, we even have video evidence of the event...thanks
to NeoThermic for providing these.
The
party continued until well into the night, eventually
grinding to a halt around 4.30am with numerous people
unconcious (including one person actually outside
the house..he'd made it all of 3 steps before collapsing
:), mud all over the floor, broken glass and beer
bottles everywhere. All the signs of a great party,
which i'm sure it was, if only I could remember
beyond midnight.
NeoThermic
brought a ton of specially made Darwinia t-shirts
along, which went down a storm. No doubt they will
be worth millions in years to come. Most of the
Introversion team were cornered and forced to sign
various bits and pieces during the night, so Introversion
Software is probably now entirely owned by one of
the beta testers. Dr Sepulveda's entrance (otherwise
known as Peter Hutchison in real life) clearly stunned
a lot of people, since his face is now more well
known than any of ours, and we're very pleased he
was able to make it.
A
clear yet dimmly remembered highlight, Deepsmeg
fights Icepick in a Lightsaver versus Mop duel.
Has to be seen to be truly understood. The video
finishes early but one of the photos above reveals
the victor. Thankfully no limbs were severed, and
more importantly the deposit on the rented DJ gear
was unnaffected, as I don't believe we were covered
for lightsaber damage.
All
in all, a great party, and a great way to celebrate
the launch of our game. It's also been a great way
to draw a line under Darwinia for us, since here
at Introversion our personal calenders only extended
as far as March 4th, and we're quite suprised the
world actually continued the next day. Thanks to
everyone who came...and we're looking forward to
<the next party> !
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