TGI Masterclass: Morgan Jaffit Shares 25 Years of Game Development Wisdom

What an incredible evening we had on 13 February at The Array’s Learning Dojo! The TGI Masterclass featuring the remarkable Morgan Jaffit was a vibrant celebration of creativity, inspiration, and community. Morgan, a game development legend with over 25 years in the industry, kicked off the session warmly, encouraging a friendly and open dialogue right from the start. "No question too big, no question too small," he said, setting the tone for an engaging night of shared learning.

Meet Morgan Jaffit

Morgan Jaffit is no stranger to the gaming world. A seasoned game designer and leader, Morgan Jaffit co-founded Defiant Development and served as Creative Director, guiding the creation of notable games like the Hand of Fate series. Beyond his studio work, Morgan has been a vocal advocate for the Australian game development industry and a proponent of healthy work practices, drawing on his extensive experience gained from years in the field, including contributions to titles from studios like Relic Entertainment.

Inspiring Gems from the Evening

The evening was packed with invaluable insights and memorable moments. Here are just a few quotes that resonated with our enthusiastic crowd:

• "People call me in when things go wrong." Morgan highlighted how challenges can be significant learning opportunities in game development.

• "The pitch needs to be appealing and interesting to you and not just the customer." A powerful reminder to stay true to your creative instincts.

• "Inspiration to create often comes from something you dislike, but that won’t lead in itself to a creative destination." A brilliant take on turning dislikes into creativity.

• "Game feel trumps production any day." Never underestimate the power of how a game feels to the player.

  
  

Morgan emphasised the immersive nature of storytelling in games, highlighting, "You experience the story in a game differently than in a movie—it’s immersive!" He also provided clarity on roles like 'narrative designer' and encouraged developers to deeply understand their game’s purpose as the core of storytelling mechanics.

Connecting with the Community

Morgan went above and beyond, dedicating an entire day at The Array, personally engaging with our community members. He lent his support, shared valuable advice, and connected local game developers to his extensive industry network. His generosity and openness have undoubtedly enriched the Northern Territory’s growing game development community.

We wrapped up the exciting event with a wonderful breakfast at Ray’s, joined by Morgan and Ron Curry from IGEA, sharing laughs, and gratitude. It was a perfect conclusion to a truly inspiring visit.

Why We Love Events Like This!

These gatherings aren’t just informative—they’re essential for nurturing creativity and collaboration. We’re thrilled to host such amazing opportunities that strengthen our local game development community and spark new ideas.

A huge thank you to Morgan Jaffit for sharing his passion, knowledge, and time. And thank you to everyone who attended and helped make this event unforgettable!

Ready for more inspiration? Mark your calendars because our next Masterclass is just around the corner! Join us for an exclusive evening with Shainiel Deo, CEO of Halfbrick Studios—the creative powerhouse behind hits like Fruit Ninja and Jetpack Joyride. It's your chance to meet another game industry giant right here in Darwin!

Stay tuned and follow us on social media to be part of more incredible experiences!